MANSFIELD, OH – 5/27/2052 – The Buckeye Imagination Museum extends its heartfelt gratitude to Fred Boll for more than a decade of exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication to the museum and the broader Richland County community.
Fred began his journey with the museum—then known as the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum—in 2013. From the outset, he brought a visionary spirit that spurred a period of transformative growth. Under his guidance, the museum rebranded as the Buckeye Imagination Museum, expanded its mission, and emerged as a regional leader in play-based education. Fred’s passion for inclusivity, innovation, and community enrichment has left an enduring legacy.
Among his most notable accomplishments:
- A successful $4.5 million capital campaign, with 96% of funds reinvested in the local economy.
- The grand opening of a new, accessible facility in downtown Mansfield in 2022.
- The 2023 unveiling of an expanded second floor, welcoming teens and adults into the museum’s imaginative spaces.
Fred’s tireless efforts to create environments where people of all ages feel welcome earned national recognition, including awards from the Ohio Museums Association and the Ohio Travel Association for excellence in marketing and community collaboration.
Fred will be stepping down as Executive Director on August 1st, 2025. His decision reflects a personal milestone, as he prepares to welcome his first grandchild and assumes a new leadership role closer to family.
“The Buckeye Imagination Museum has been more than just a job—it’s been a calling, and this community has been my extended family,” Fred shared.
Board President Barrett Thomas commented, “Fred’s leadership has been transformational. He has laid a foundation for continued growth and community connection that will serve us for many years to come.”
The museum is currently in a strong and stable position, well-equipped to continue serving families throughout North Central Ohio. In the coming weeks, museum leadership will share the next steps in the search for Fred’s successor.
We wish Fred and his family the very best in this exciting new chapter.
About Buckeye Imagination Museum
Founded as “Little Buckeye Children’s Museum” in April 2011, Buckeye Imagination Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and today is located in downtown Mansfield’s Imagination District. At Buckeye Imagination Museum, we understand that exploration and play are critical to child development, and we know that play benefits children physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. We strive to offer the children and families we serve a unique open-ended and self-directed play experience that promotes creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, social-emotional skills, motor skills, parent-child interaction, and more.