Discovery Museum (Acton, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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| Established | 1982 |
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| Location | 177 Main Street (Route 27) Acton, Massachusetts 01720 |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Public transit access | MBTA: South Acton |
The Discovery Museum is a super fun, hands-on museum for families. It mixes science, nature, and play all in one place! You can find it in Acton, Massachusetts, in the United States.
The museum got a big upgrade and reopened in March 2018. It's now a single, easy-to-access building. It's about 16,000 square feet! A cool tree house and an outdoor play area were added in 2016. The museum first opened its doors in 1982.
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What You'll Find There
The museum and its outdoor area, called Discovery Woods, are amazing. Discovery Woods has an accessible nature playscape and a 550-square-foot tree house. These areas combine the best of STEAM learning. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
The museum sits on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus. It's right next to 180 acres of nature land in Acton. This town is about 20 miles west of Boston. The museum started in 1982 and grew to two buildings in 1987. After a big renovation, it became one accessible building in early 2018. Discovery Woods opened in July 2016. It's next to 183 acres of conservation land on Great Hill. This land is used for special visitor programs.
Museum History
The first Children's Discovery Museum began in 1982. It was started by Donald B. Verger, who was a math teacher and loved nature. Later, the Science Discovery Museum was added in 1988. In 2008, the museum bought more land. This made the campus half again as big! They then planned out how to make the museum even better.
Awesome Exhibits
The museum now has twice as much space for exhibits as before. It has many cool galleries for STEAM activities. You can explore water, air, and how things work. There are areas for tinkering, design, and engineering. You can also learn about how your brain develops, math, light, color, and sound.
Some favorite exhibits from the old buildings are still here. 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 are designed to encourage play, exploration, and trying new things.
Making it Accessible for Everyone
The museum building follows ADA rules. This means it's designed to be easy for everyone to use. All exhibits are accessible too. They are made using "Universal Design" ideas. This means they look good and can be used by people of all ages and abilities. The outdoor Discovery Woods and treehouse are also easy for everyone to enjoy.
The museum has a program called Open Door Connections. This program helps people visit who might have trouble coming. This could be because of money, special needs, or cultural reasons. 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 Special Mentions
The Discovery Museum has won many awards!
- 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
The Original Buildings (Now Closed to Visitors)
The first Children's Discovery Museum was in an old Victorian house. It was built in 1880 and had three floors. It had 3500 square feet of space across ten rooms. The Science Discovery Museum was in a building made just for it. This building was designed in a style called postmodern. It had 8200 square feet of space.
The postmodern building was completely renovated and expanded in 2018. The original Victorian house is still on the campus. But now, it's used for offices and is not open to the public.
Past Exhibits You Might Have Seen
The old Children's Discovery Museum had some cool exhibits. These included the Assabet River Water Table and Bessie's Play Diner. There was also Air Play, Backyard at Night, and Sensations. Other favorites were S.S. Discover, the Chain Reaction Room, the Adventure fort, and the Train Room. You might also remember the Rainbow Room, Safari Room, Dinosaur Room, and Grandma's Attic.
The Science Discovery Museum also had permanent exhibits. These included Earth Science, Inventor's Workshop, and the Rubber Ball Music Wall. Another popular one was Sea of Clouds.
