Topics / EDUCATION : Children’s Center Re-Creates Old-Time Town

A fire station, post office, schoolhouse, sheriff’s station and farm are among sets re-creating an old-fashioned Western town at an educational and entertainment center for children to be opened Friday in Monrovia.

Designed for children ages 2 to 12, the Little Learners Children’s Museum & Learning Enrichment Center is a business venture conceived by Miriam Justice of Monrovia, an educational psychologist who said she has worked with children of all ages.

Justice said each of nine settings at the center offers a theme for learning. For example, she said, fire prevention, fire safety and the ecological impact of forest fires will be taught by visiting firefighters at the bright red fire station, facts about American Presidents can be found at the small-town post office and tips on pet care will be offered at the live petting zoo at an “old MacDonald’s farm.”

Snacks and food will be served at “grandma’s and grandpa’s house,” safety rules may be practiced at the sheriff’s office, and exhibits highlighting holidays and ethnic traditions will be featured in a multicultural room.

Grand opening ceremonies will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at the center, located in a storefront building at 601 S. Myrtle Ave.

The center will be operated 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission will be $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 2 to 12, free for infants under 2 and $3 for senior citizens. Justice may be contacted at (818) 359-1047.