STOCKTON — The Children’s Museum of Stockton is marking its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 14, with a gala at the 402 West Weber Ave. location.

Tickets are $100 per person. Cocktails are from 6 to 7 p.m. with the dinner, program, and dancing from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The deadline to RSVP is today by calling Marianne at (209) 465-4386.

The Children’s Museum came about as a result of the tragic 1989 Cleveland School shootings in Stockton. Five children were killed while playing at recess and 30 others wounded, including teacher, Janet Geng.

A visit to a similar museum in Washington, D.C., after the shooting inspired Geng to successfully push for establishment of the Children’s Museum of Stockton as a safe place where children can learn and play away from violence.

The result is a paradise of hands-on learning not just for young kids but also for adults accompanying them.

 Today the non-profit Museum sees approximately 50,000 visitors a year.

Founding museum board member Mary Elizabeth Eberhardt and the Bank of Stockton will be honored for their unrelenting commitment to ensuring a center of discovery and learning though interactive exhibits, programming and workshops. Their contributions have been significant to creating and maintaining the unique treasure that is the Children’s Museum of Stockton.