New collections to focus on women

International Museum of Women, San Francisco

Mission: To "reach out to understand the history, cultures, and issues unique and universal to women around the world."

Educational offerings will include a children's learning gallery; multilingual resources; and a teen center.

$50 million for building and first year of operation, to open in 2005.

www.imow.org (415) 775-1366

National Women's History Museum, Washington

Mission: "Preserving and celebrating the rich and diverse heritage of women."

The museum will soon lobby Congress for a site near the Capitol.

Cost unknown, to open in 2005

www.nwhm.org (703) 299-0552

The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity, Boston

Mission: "Furthering the universal quest for spirituality and the science of being - and their effect on health and human progress."

Mary Baker Eddy founded The First Church of Christ, Scientist and The Christian Science Monitor. With the largest multidisciplinary collection documenting an American woman, the library will offer interactive educational tools and public forums.

$50 million for construction and first five years, to open in 2002 (with a satellite library to open in 2003 in Seneca Falls, N.Y.).

www.marybakereddy.org (617) 450-3030

The Museum of Women: The Leadership Center, New York

Mission: "To educate the public about the role of women in history and to offer resources for women to develop leadership and other skills."

Educational focus will range from leadership to technology training.

$125 million proposal, to open in 2006.

(212) 681-4549

The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future, Dallas

Mission: To "educate, enrich, and inspire all visitors by celebrating women's history and providing a public forum for the communi-cation of women's contributions to society."

The museum will host conferences and cyberspace cultural exchanges. It will also offer technology training.

$30 million, opens Sept. 29.

www.thewomensmuseum.org

Women of the West Museum, Denver

Mission: "To discover and explore the continuing role of women in the development of the American West."

Offers educational programs for families, schools, libraries, and community groups.

Plans to build a permanent home in the Front Range of the Rockies.

www.wowmuseum.org (303) 446-9378

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