Portland Children's Museum
Portland Children's Museum is a children's museum located in Portland's Washington Park, adjacent to the Oregon Zoo. Founded in 1946, Portland Children's Museum is the sixth oldest children's museum in the world and the oldest West of the Mississippi. The 50,000 sq ft (4,600 m2) museum receives over a quarter of a million visits from children and their families every year. It is a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status and member of the Association of Children's Museums.
Portland Children's Museum was founded in 1946 as the Adventure House by recreation director of Portland Parks & Recreation, Dorothea Lensch. Dr. Lensch was the first woman appointed Recreation Director for the division.
The original museum building was located at the Jacob Kamm mansion in Southwest Portland until 1950 when it moved to a building (formerly a dormitory) on Lair Hill just south of downtown Portland. The Lair Hill Museum contained a pet library (from which children could check-out animals) as well as a variety of interactive and informative exhibits. The Lair Hill museum hosted regular arts and crafts workshops as well as sports games and other activities.
After 51 years of occupancy at the downtown location, the building was closed on March 31, 2001, and Portland Children's Museum moved to its current location in Washington Park, in the building which previously housed Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Since moving to Washington Park, Portland Children's Museum has welcomed almost two million visitors.
The mission of Portland Children's Museum is, we collaborate to create transformative learning experiences through the arts and sciences. The museum uses cognitive science and child development research to inform environments and programs that promote healthy cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Myriad exhibits, including Water Works, Play-it-Again Theater, Building Bridgetown, Groundworks, Outdoor Adventure, and the Baby's Garden,along with the Museum's art studios, The Clay Studio, The Wonder Corner and The Garage encourage playful inquiry, cultivate creative expression and help children learn how to learn.
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