Newtown expands scope of planned children's museum

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — Children's museums across the country are helping build a new museum in Newtown, Conn.

Plans for the Everwonder Children's Museum have been in the works since 2011. They were supported by Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Dawn Hochsprung, who was among those killed in last month's massacre.

Museum President Kristin Chiriatti says museums nationwide have agreed to set aside a day this year to donate a dollar from each admission to the project.

Plans for the building have been expanded and accelerated after the shootings. Chiriatti says organizers hope to open a 52,000-square-foot facility in a building that was once part of the Fairfield Hills Hospital.

They are looking to raise $10 million for the project and are also seeking corporate donations. They hope to open the building in 2015.