Discovery Museum (Acton, Massachusetts) facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Location | 177 Main Street (Route 27) Acton, Massachusetts 01720 |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Public transit access | MBTA: South Acton |
The Discovery Museum is a fun, hands-on museum for families. It mixes science, nature, and play. You can find it in Acton, Massachusetts, USA. The museum had a big update and reopened in March 2018. It is now one large, easy-to-access building. The museum also added a cool tree house and an outdoor nature play area in July 2016. The Discovery Museum first opened its doors in 1982.
Contents
What is the Discovery Museum?
The museum and its outdoor play area, called Discovery Woods, are great places to learn. They focus on STEAM learning: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. The museum sits on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus. This area is next to 180 acres of protected land in Acton. Acton is about 20 miles west of Boston.
The museum first started in 1982. It grew to have two separate buildings by 1987. After a big renovation, it reopened in early 2018 as one building. Discovery Woods opened in July 2016. It is right next to 183 acres of conservation land. This land is used for special visitor programs.
How the Museum Started
The first Children's Discovery Museum was created in 1982. It was started by Donald B. Verger, who was a math teacher and loved nature. A second part, the Science Discovery Museum, was added in 1988. In 2008, the museum bought more land. This made the campus half again as big.
Fun Exhibits to Explore
The museum now has twice as much space for exhibits. There are many exciting areas for STEAM activities. You can explore water, air, and how things work. There are also sections about how brains develop, math, light, color, and sound.
The museum kept some favorite parts from its older buildings. These include a Diner, a Train Room, and a Ship Room. You can also see a giant amethyst crystal and a radar magnet. All the exhibits are hands-on and interactive. They encourage you to play, explore, and try new things.
Easy Access for Everyone
The museum building is designed to be easy for everyone to use. All exhibits are made so that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy them. This means the entire museum, including the outdoor Discovery Woods and treehouse, is welcoming to everyone.
The museum also has a special program called Open Door Connections. This program helps families who might have trouble visiting. It helps those with financial, developmental, or cultural barriers. In 2018, about 22% of visitors came for free or almost free.
The museum offers free services for families with children who have autism. It also helps those with vision or hearing loss. Military families can visit for free anytime. If you have an EBT card, you and up to five guests can get in for just $1.
Awards and Recognitions
The Discovery Museum has won many awards. These show how much people appreciate its work.
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts LEAD Community Asset Award, 2018
- Boston magazine’s Best of Boston 2018, Best Family-Friendly Museum, West
- New England Museum Association (NEMA) Excellence Award, 2015, 2018
- Massachusetts Commonwealth Award (Access Category), Massachusetts Cultural Council, 2017
- Best Museum, Gold or Silver, Wicked Local Reader’s Choice Awards, 2010-2018
- “Best of the Best” Family Favorites Award, Boston Parents Paper; 2010-2018
- Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, 2017
- Museums for America grant, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2011, 2013–15, 2017
Past Exhibits and Buildings
The first Children's Discovery Museum was in an old Victorian house from 1880. It had 10 rooms and about 3,500 square feet of space. The Science Discovery Museum was in a building designed just for it. It had 8,200 square feet. This is the building that was fully updated in 2018. The original Victorian house is still on the campus. It is now used for offices and is not open to the public.
Some past exhibits from the Children's Discovery Museum included:
- The Assabet River Water Table
- Bessie's Play Diner
- Air Play
- Backyard at Night
- Sensations
- S.S. Discover
- The Chain Reaction Room
- The Adventure Fort
- The Train Room
- The Rainbow Room
- The Safari Room
- The Dinosaur Room
- Grandma's Attic
The former Science Discovery Museum had permanent exhibits like:
- Earth Science
- Inventor's Workshop
- Rubber Ball Music Wall
- Sea of Clouds
Museum Leaders
Marie R. B. Beam has been the CEO of the museum since 2024. Many people have helped lead the museum over the years, including Donald Verger, Kathleen Compton, Deborah Gilpin, and others.
