Portland Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1946 |
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| Dissolved | 2021 |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Founder | Dorothea Lensch |
The Portland Children's Museum was a special place for kids in Portland, Oregon. It was located in Washington Park, right next to the Oregon Zoo. This museum was one of the oldest children's museums in the world. It was also the oldest one west of the Mississippi River.
The museum first opened its doors in 1946. It was a very popular spot, with over 250,000 children and their families visiting each year. The building was about 50,000 square feet, which is a lot of space for fun and learning! The museum was a non-profit organization. This meant it focused on its mission rather than making money. Sadly, the museum closed permanently in June 2021. This happened because of money problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A Look Back: The Museum's History
The Portland Children's Museum started in 1946. It was first called the Adventure House. Dorothea Marie Lensch, who was in charge of recreation for Portland, helped create it.
Early Homes of the Museum
The very first museum building was a big house called the Jacob Kamm mansion. It was in Southwest Portland. In 1949, the museum moved to a new spot. This new building was on Lair Hill, just south of downtown Portland. It used to be a place where people lived.
Fun at Lair Hill
The Lair Hill Museum had many cool things. It even had a "pet library"! Kids could actually check out animals to learn about them. There were also lots of exhibits where kids could touch and explore. The museum often held art and craft workshops. They also had sports games and other exciting activities.
Moving to Washington Park
The museum stayed at the Lair Hill location for 52 years. It closed there on March 31, 2001. Then, the Portland Children's Museum moved to its final home. This was in Washington Park, in a building that used to be the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
What Made the Museum Special?
The Portland Children's Museum wanted to help kids learn in amazing ways. It focused on art and science. The museum used ideas from how kids grow and learn. This helped them create places and programs that were good for kids' minds, feelings, and bodies.
Exciting Exhibits and Studios
The museum had many fun exhibits. These included Water Works, Play-it-Again Theater, and Building Bridgetown. There was also Groundworks, Outdoor Adventure, and Baby's Garden. Kids could also get creative in art studios like The Clay Studio, The Wonder Corner, and The Garage. All these places encouraged kids to play, explore, and express themselves. They helped children learn how to learn!
Helping All Kids Learn
The museum believed that all children should have a chance to learn. They had a program called the Community Partners Program. This program helped kids and families who faced challenges. It offered low-cost memberships and free passes. It also provided free art workshops and other help. By 2009, this program had helped over 20,000 children and their families.
The Opal School
The Portland Children's Museum also had its own elementary school. It was called the Opal School. This school was part of the Portland Public School District. The Opal School used special teaching methods. These methods were inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which focuses on child-led learning.
How the Museum Was Supported
The museum was supported by many people and groups. Members gave money, and other organizations sponsored events. They also received grants from foundations and the government. Many kind individuals also helped. The museum had a staff, but it also relied on many volunteers. These volunteers helped with everything from daily activities to big projects.
