National Children's Museum
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| Established | 1974 (originally the Capital Children’s Museum, Washington, DC) |
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| Type | Children's museum |
| Website | www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org |
The National Children’s Museum is a planned children's museum and science center in downtown Washington, D.C. It is intended to serve children up to age 12 and their families through interactive exhibits exploring science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Founded in 1974, the Museum operated from 1979 to 2004 at 220 H Street, NE. It then operated as a “museum without walls,” until 2009, when it opened a new location in National Harbor, Maryland. That closed in 2015; a new location is under construction in the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington.
The Museum’s mission is to inspire children to care about and change the world. The Museum received a U.S. Congressional designation in 2003 when Congress identified a need for a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution specifically for children.
History
Judith Grummon Nelson founded the Capital Children’s Museum in 1974. In 1979, the Museum moved into a building at 220 H Street, NE, in Washington, D.C., a former Little Sisters of the Poor home. The H Street location closed in August 2004.
From 2004 to 2012, National Children’s Museum operated as a “museum without walls,” forging partnerships with other organizations. The Museum participated in a wide variety of events, which reached hundreds of thousands of children and families, including the White House Easter Egg Roll, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play. Museum staff also conducted educational outreach activities in 14 states.
From 2009 to 2015, the Museum was located in National Harbor, Maryland, first at the Launch Zone, a 2,700-square-foot space, and then in a larger location with exhibits such as “3 & Under” and “Our World.” In November 2014, the Museum’s leadership announced that the institution would return to Washington, D.C.; the National Harbor location closed in January 2015.
Downtown location
A new 30,000-square-foot home is currently under construction in downtown Washington, D.C., on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza, a short walk from the National Mall and the White House. Travel Channel listed the Museum in its “10 Most Anticipated U.S. Museum Openings of 2019,” and USA Today included it in “Great New Museums for 2019.” Exhibits will explore developmentally aligned STEAM concepts, including early computer science skills, data literacy, the design thinking process, and environmental science.
This location was to open in March 2019, then Nov. 1, 2019.[1] As of Nov. 29, the web site said it will open during "the 2019 holiday season".[2]
External links
- National Children's Museum
- NCM Facebook Page
- NCM Instagram
- NCM Twitter
- The 90's raw: Capital Children's Museum Video of the Capital Children's Museum in the 1990s
References
- "Editor's Picks: Best Events this Weekend", The Washington Post, Aug. 3, 2012
Sutton, Benjamin, "National Children’s Museum Eyes November Opening, Will Boast on Big Wheel Racetrack", ArtInfo, June 6, 2012
Parker, Lonnae O'Neal, "National Children’s Museum (finally!) reopening at National Harbor", The Washington Post, June 12, 2012
Hager, Nathan, "National Children’s Museum one step closer to opening in Pr. George’s County", WTOP.com, June 12, 2012
Eatough, Allison, "Eight Great Museum Exhibits That Engage Children of All Ages", Maryland Family Magazine, July 22, 2012
- "National Children’s Museum Launch Zone (National Harbor, MD)", The Meanest Momma, Aug. 31, 2012
Cooper, Rachel, "National Children’s Museum Fall Programming", About.com, Aug. 29, 2012
- "The Weekend Round-Up: August 17-19", KidFriendlyDC, Aug. 17, 2012
Sowah, Jillian S. "Prince George’s County community calendar, Aug. 16-23, 2012", The Washington Post, Aug. 17, 2012
Cooper, Rachel, "Washington DC Events – Top Things to Do this Weekend", About.com, Aug. 3, 2012
- "Go for the GOLD at the National Children’s Museum", (cool) progeny, Aug. 2, 2012
- "Go for the Gold", Gazette Newspapers, Aug. 2, 2012
- "Weekend Roundup August 2, 2012", The Georgetowner, Aug. 2, 2012
- "The Weekend Round-Up: August 3-5", KidFriendlyDC, Aug. 2, 2012
"Editor’s Pick: Go for the Gold", In the Loop: Washington Parent E-News, Aug. 2, 2012
"Meet a former Olympian at National Children’s Museum", Chesapeake Family Magazine, July 30, 2012
- "10 Children’s Museums for Olympics-Themed Fun", Kidventurous, July 25, 2012
"Editor’s Pick: Go for the Gold", In the Loop: Washington Parent E-News, July 25, 2012
- "Field Trip: August Events at the National Children’s Museum (NCM)", DullesMoms.com, July 25, 2012
Sowah, Jillian S. "Things to do July 19-Aug. 2: Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz, Ledisi and Eric Benet perform at DAR", The Washington Post, July 20, 2012
- "National Harbor, MD: A Great Summer Destination for Families", Trekaroo, July 14, 2012
Sowah, Jillian S. "Prince George’s County wellness calendar, July 12-19", The Washington Post, July 12, 2012
"Editor’s Pick: SunWise", In the Loop: Washington Parent E-News, July 11, 2012
- "10 New Meeting Venues in Washington", BizBash, July 9, 2012
- "Washington area appointments and promotions for the week of July 9", The Washington Post, July 8, 2012
- "The Weekend Round-Up: July 6-8", KidFriendlyDC, July 6, 2012
- "Date Night in Prince George’s County: Movies, Baseball and More", Upper Marlboro Patch, July 5, 2012
"National Children’s Museum to Open This Year at National Harbor", FestivalDC.com, June 14, 2012
- "Everybody Walk the Dinosaur: Toddler Tuesdays at the NCM Launch Zone", Not So Stay-at-home Mom, May 12, 2012
- ^ McGlone, Peggy. "New National Children's Museum will finally open Nov. 1 after a delay". Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Home - Inspiring Children to Care About and Change the World". web.archive.org. 2019-11-29. Retrieved 2019-11-29.