The Bermuda Children's Museum Society will officially open the Children's Room at the Maritime Museum in Dockyard on Sunday.

An "interactive hands-on discovery area with a nautical theme'', the Children's Room will be a place where families can discover various aspects of the Island's maritime heritage.

The society said with the completion of the room they were now able to focus on creating a children's museum.

"Our plans are in the early development, planning and fund raising phases,'' a spokesperson said. "We anticipate that the Bermuda Children's Museum -- a unique indoor facility -- will also be located in the Dockyard area.'' The museum, which is expected to open to the public in the fall next year, will be a place where children and families can "interact together, learning, cooperating, exploring, laughing and creating''.

The spokesperson added: "We have plans to stage several permanent exhibits, as well as rotating exhibits on space, volcanoes, the solar system, dinosaurs and other science topics.

"As a member of the International Network of Children's Museums, we will have the opportunity to borrow exhibits from other countries and, in turn, to loan Bermuda exhibits to Museums overseas.'' Exhibits already planned for the Children's Museum include: a replica of a small town with a grocery story, a hospital, a fire station and a post office to give children the opportunity to "shop, work and to learn about nutrition, pricing and produce weighing, human anatomy, various public safety issues, fire safety and prevention; a toddler room for infants to three-year-olds which will be designed as a special protected space with oversized blocks, cushions, Leggo room, sandbox, playdough and water play; an arts and crafts room in which children will be encouraged to paint, sculpt and develop art projects for the community; and a computer room.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan will carry out the ribbon cutting at the Children's Room at 12.45 p.m. on Sunday.

An open day at the Maritime Museum, featuring an antique boat exhibit, the official opening of the Rampart Exhibit in the Queen's Exhibition Hall and an afternoon parade by the Bermuda Sea Cadets, has also been planned.

There will be special admission prices for non-members of $5 for adults and $2 for children. A membership desk will be operated so visitors can become members and make their visit a free one.