Mid-Hudson Children's Museum facts for kids
| Former name | Mid-Hudson Children's Museum |
|---|---|
| Established | 1989 |
| Location | 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY |
| Type | Children's Museum |
| Visitors | ~80,000 annually |
| Public transit access | Poughkeepsie, Metro-North Hudson Line |
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (MHDM) is a fun and educational place for kids and families in the Hudson River Valley. It's located between the big cities of New York City and Albany. The museum used to be called the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum. In 2022, it changed its name to show that it now offers exciting activities for kids up to 12 years old.
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is a special kind of organization called a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. This means it's supported by people buying tickets, memberships, and by donations and grants. About 80,000 people visit the museum every year! It's also part of several important museum groups, like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the Association of Children's Museums (ACM).
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum started in 1989. A group of people in Poughkeepsie wanted to create a special place for kids. For many years, the museum operated in different donated spaces, including the South Hills Mall.
Finding a Permanent Home
In 2002, the museum moved to its current location at 75 North Water Street. This building is an old brick factory from the mid-1800s. It used to be a dye works. The museum is right by the Hudson River. It's also just a short walk to a tall elevator that takes you up to the Walkway over the Hudson. This Walkway is a state park that was once a railroad bridge.
The museum got some big upgrades in 2015 and 2016. These improvements included building a new Science Center and an outdoor Children's Garden.
Planning Your Visit
As of 2024, general admission to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum costs $14.50. Kids under one year old can enter for free. The museum offers discounts for military personnel and for families who use EBT or SNAP cards. If you plan to visit often, you can also buy an annual membership.
What You Can Explore: Exciting Exhibits
The museum has five main areas, each with many different activities. These exhibits are designed to help you learn and have fun at the same time!
Early Learning Junction
The Early Learning Junction (ELJ) is mainly for younger children, aged 0–4. It helps them get ready for school. Toddlers can improve their motor skills, thinking skills, reading, and how they get along with others.
Imagination Playground
This exhibit is all about building and creating! It has giant, soft foam blocks that kids can use to build anything they can imagine. It's a great way to be creative and play.
Rivertown: A Miniature City
Rivertown is a favorite part of the museum. You can step into MHDM's very own small town! It has a fire station, a kitchen, a construction site, and more. This area helps kids develop their thinking skills through immersive play.
The Science Center @ MHDM
The Science Center opened in 2016. It's all about boosting your critical thinking skills through early STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. It's for children aged 0–12.
Popular Science Center Exhibits
- Wonderdome: This exhibit lets you explore the amazing science of light.
- Lift-and-Link: Here, you can experiment with different building materials.
Science Revealed!
Science Revealed! is the newest attraction, added in 2022. This exhibit helped the museum expand its learning opportunities for children up to age 12. It has 16 custom-made, hands-on science exhibits. You can use your whole body to explore motion, air, forces, fluids, and magnetism.
Community Connections
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum works with many groups to offer programs and expand its reach.
Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market
In 2017, MHDM started the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market. This market brings fresh farm produce to families and visitors in the City of Poughkeepsie. The market runs seasonally from May through October, every Tuesday afternoon at the museum's Pavilion.
Outreach Programs and Field Trips
The museum offers hands-on programs to help children explore the world, practice skills, and learn new things. MHDM also provides field trip opportunities for students in Pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. These trips let students learn in a real-world setting, experience things firsthand, and improve their critical thinking skills.
Museum field trips are about 2.5 hours long and happen on days when the museum is closed to the public. There are two types of field trips:
- Explorer: Classes can explore the exhibits at their own pace.
- Discovery: Classes also work on a STEM-based challenge that connects with New York State Science and NGSS Standards.
MHDM also takes its programs to schools, libraries, and other organizations in the nearby area.
