Children's Museum undergoing makeover

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Children's Museum in Portsmouth is getting a face-lift, which means its mascot, Andalo, is moving his playhouse to a smaller, temporary location up the street.

Moving begins after the museum closes Monday at 5 p.m. Andalo and some of his toys will take up temporary residence at 420 High Street next to Courthouse Galleries.

The facility will open October 17th at 9 a.m. to moms and toddlers. The museum plans to use a van to take programs to older children at area schools.

The current building that houses the Children's Museum is undergoing a multi-million dollar makeover. Museum Site Manager Al Schweizer tells WAVY.com, "We're going to add about 10,000 square feet to the outside where there's an empty lot right now. [We're] going to move the front door up to High Street and we're going to remove everything inside the museum and bring in all new exhibits."

He said crews should have all the work finished by early 2011.

Parents are excited about the changes.

"It's going to be a new and prettier facility," said Sarah Wray.