JANESVILLE — The Children’s Museum of Rock County on Thursday announced a $1.5 million pledge and $500,000 matching pledge from Steve and Marlene Bysted.
The Bysteds are Janesville natives with strong ties to the community. Marlene Bysted has served on the YWCA board, PTA, lunch buddy program, an elementary school volunteer, middle school mentor and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
In 2016, she was the treasurer of the CMRC board. She is currently serving on the CASA board and Children’s Museum of Rock County Foundation board. Steve Bysted has served on the YMCA board, WI Wholesalers board, and as a middle school and high school basketball coach. He is currently a Food Resource Assistant at Echo.
“The Children’s Museum follows our commitment to paying it forward to the children in our community and will be a place for kids to play, learn & grow,” said Marlene Bysted. “We believe all children should have access to opportunities to thrive.”
The CMRC Foundation announced last month that it has completed the purchase of 100 W. Milwaukee Street, the former First National and Chase bank, and future home of the children’s museum. The CMRC is currently working with JP Cullen, Angus-Young, and Haizlip Studios to finalize construction, design, and exhibit plans. Based on the current timeline, the board expects to receive final costs for construction this month and final costs for exhibits in July.
“This gift is a huge boon for our project,” commented John Westphal, CMRC board president. “If we complete the matching campaign, the Bysted’s generosity will have garnered us $2.5 million for our project taking our campaign total to the $14.5 million range.”
The Transform Tomorrow matching campaign launches Friday, May 9 and will end on August 31, 2025. Every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000 in gifts.
“We know the Bysteds’ grandchildren are their joy, and we know that is true for many other families in our community,” said Olivia McCarthy, CMRC public relations and communications director. “With this matching campaign, we are focusing on those relationships outside of the traditional, nuclear family. The children’s museum will be enjoyed by grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, guardians, and so many more.”
CMRC representatives stated that it plans to announce the hiring of its executive director and groundbreaking date in the coming weeks. Those interested in donating to the museum’s capital project can go to kidsatplayrc.com/campaign.