Brooklyn Children's Museum
 Location within New York City
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| Established | 1899 |
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| Location | 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°40′28″N 73°56′38″W / 40.67448°N 73.9439°WCoordinates: 40°40′28″N 73°56′38″W / 40.67448°N 73.9439°W |
| Public transit access |
Subway: Kingston Avenue    Kingston-Throop Avenues   Bus: B43, B44, B65 |
| Website | Official website |
The Brooklyn Children's Museum is a children's museum in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City. Founded in 1899, it is the first museum in the United States – and according to some, the first one worldwide – that caters specifically to children. It is unusual in its location in what is predominantly a residential area. Housed in a multi-level underground gallery, the museum underwent an expansion and renovation to double its space, reopened on September 20, 2008, and became the first green museum in New York City.
The museum's collection and exhibitions reflect its long history as well as the changes in children's educational needs over time and the changing environment. Its original focus was the presentation of natural science to children raised in an urban environment, but following World War II, technology and cultural awareness became more important. The underground gallery in which the museum was located following a 1975 move provided the ideal location for arranging evolving exhibits. The museum was not intended to solely attract the interest of a young audience, but rather to engage their minds from a young age. Children contribute extensively in the planning of museum exhibits, and have done so for a significant part of its history.
The Museum was founded following a proposal from the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences (now the Brooklyn Museum) on December 16, 1899 in the Adams House. The museum operated under the direction of the Brooklyn Institute and received approximately $70,000 in funds from New York City each year to supplement the donations it received. Attendance grew quickly, with monthly visitation exceeding 13,000 by October, 1905.
In 1929, the museum opened the Smith House annex. Eleanor Roosevelt attended the ceremony. In 1930, the Works Progress Administration supplied hundreds of workers to the museum, which thrived in the Great Depression. Among these workers was Ellis Credle, who painted murals before her career as an author began. By October 1930, monthly visitation had reached 60,000 and by 1939, the museum had received move than 9 million visitors since it opened 40 years prior.
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