In 2016, Davie Community Foundation (DCF) made a decision to purchase the building located next door to our office on N. Salisbury Street. Our goal was to make an impact investment to continue to improve downtown Mocksville and find a use that would revive an older building while benefiting the Davie County community as a whole. DCF reached out to the community at large for feedback about the best use of the building and brought a variety of community leaders together to discuss self-sustaining uses for the space.
After many hours of community discussions, the majority agreed an interactive learning center and makerspace for all ages would:
- Offer the greatest education and leadership opportunities
- Maximize the space and time that the building would be used during the day
- Have the most potential to produce revenue with the best opportunity for sustainability
- Be the most family friendly
- Attract more people to downtown
After more than a year of research, conversations, and visits to other communities, it was agreed that an interactive learning center and makerspace had the best chance to meet all of the criteria.
The Davie Community Foundation Board approved moving forward with COGNITION in February 2018.
COGNITION of Davie County, Inc. was formed and a new board was established from interested citizens including two graduates of Davie County High School who have returned to Davie County to live and work! The eleven member board is comprised of a variety of talents including educators, school principals, attorney, non-profit leader, educational consultant, early childhood specialist, marketing, design, and finance.
Committees were also formed for resource development, marketing, facilities, makerspace, finance, and education. These committees are comprised of passionate citizens who want to share their talent and expertise in order to make COGNITION a reality!
COGNITION is set to open in early 2020. With a mission to create a space where the community can acquire knowledge through adventurous play, investigative learning, and creative growth, the board is working hard to finalize exhibit designs and achieve their capital campaign goal of $500,000.
You are invited to be a COG in the wheel of progress by contributing to the capital campaign. Be part of the nuts and bolts of COGNITION by making a gift of any size. Named COGs may be purchased for display in the space for $5,000, $2,500, or $1,000. Exhibit Sponsorships are still available. Please contact Jane Simpson at 336-753-6903 for questions regarding exhibit sponsorship.
You can donate through Davie Community Foundation’s website by clicking the button above and choosing “COGNITION” from the “Allocate Donation” drop down bar.
