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Read: Visitor Comments * '02 MVBJ article * '03 OD article * July'09 OD article * Oct.'09 OD article * Help us with our Funding/Future
 The Children's Museum of Utica, NY, a safe place to explore, learn & enjoy where there's always a rainbow! |
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Central New York's only Children's Museum is permanently chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. We are passionately committed to providing a hands-on safe environment for children, families, and groups who visit. Our 4 floors of exhibits provide an enjoyable educational experience for kids from 1 to 101 to learn, experience, & create. In 2007, our building was declared a NYS & Federal historic building. We are located in the historic Main Street district of downtown Utica between majestic Union Station and Bagg's Square Memorial Park. The location, near the ancient fording place of the Mohawk River and the sites of Old Forts Schuyler and Stanwix, houses the only permanent exhibit of the history and origins of the Mohawk Valley. We receive no funding for Operations costs from the City, County, State or Federal governments, thus relying solely on Admissions and Donations. Help us improve by completing our Survey. Our Surveys over the past 9 months have shown 95% marking the Strongly Agree categories and the other 5% marking the Agree category. The choices of what they see as most important to them varies amongst the choices. Become a corporate sponsor and help sponsor our continued growth! History: One of the oldest children's museum's in the country, we were organized in the October of 1963 by the Junior League. Originally called the Junior Museum of Oneida County, our museum began in the basement of the Utica Public Library. The museum consisted of one exhibit, an Iroquois Longhouse which we still exhibit. The idea of a museum for area children caught on quickly and the museum started to grow. In October 1965, due to lack of space at the library, it moved to the former Department of Parks & Recreation Building at the Southeast corner of the Memorial Parkway and Oneida Street. In its nine year stay there, the museum developed a variety of permanent exhibits and a large range of educational programs. Interest increased steadily so that by 1974 more than 21,000 adults and children were participating. November of 1974 saw the museum move to the upstairs of the Valley View Country Club. This new location provided badly needed space for the many exhibits, storage, and gift shop. In 1975, the name of the organization was changed to Mohawk Valley Museum. Forty years later, in July of 1979, the museum was again relocated, this time to its current location in the historic Bagg's Square area. The former John C. Heiber Dry Goods Building, at 311 Main Street, Utica, NY was purchased for $35,000 by borrowing that sum from the Oneida National Bank and Trust Company of Central New York. At this time, the name of the organization was changed to The Children's Museum of History, Natural History, and Science. The five story brick building, constructed at the turn of the century, once drew visitors who came on the train from as far away as Albany and Syracuse to shop for dry goods. The interesting Romanesque Revival exterior remains as imposing as ever, and the charm of the period remains inside with its decoratively paneled central oak staircase, an original glass and wood paneled office, fourteen foot high ceiling sheathed in fancy pressed tin, and loft windows. For years, three of the five floors, approximately 6,000 square feet, were used for exhibit and program areas. In 2002, under the leadership of Marlene Brown, the mortgage on the building was paid off, the fourth floor was opened, and the name was changed to The Children's Museum of History, Natural History, Science, and Technology. One of the oldest children’s museums in the country, in 2002 The Children's Museum became the only museum in the country to be adopted by NASA – National Aeronautic & Space Administration & DOE OS – Dept. of Energy’s Office of Science). We also believe we may be one of the largest in the country. The Museum is a hands-on learning center with emphasis on local history, the arts, environmental science, and space science. The Museum provides educational programs for local school groups, home school groups, scouts, and daycare centers throughout the three county area that we serve, as well as for groups who come in by bus and train from throughout the state. Our Educational Enrichment Programs enhance learning for children of all ages. Teachers and others who book educational field trips are given resource materials for their students to enhance learning after the visit. With 4 floors encompassing a total of 24,000 square feet of exhibition space, the Museum is located in the former Hieber Dry Goods Building at 311 Main Street, Utica. Our 100's of hands-on exhibits
include: 1st Floor: Exhibits: Toddler Playspace,
two level Exploration Station mall; shadow & light exhibits, life
size Wooden Train, Fish tank, Robot Room, Saturn car, hyperbolic funnel,
funhouse mirrors, restrooms & changing tables, eating/drinking areas The Museum hosts birthday parties in our neat Birthday Room. The Museum also hosts Corporate and Association and group meetings in the Community Room. Public sculpture done for and by children is sited in Bagg's Square Park. The Museum is totally accessible to persons with disabilities, has a ramp and an elevator to accommodate the needs of visitors. The Museum is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday from 9:30am to 2:00pm. No admissions allowed one hour before closing. (we're closed on Wednesday & Sundays). Check our Calendar for holiday schedules, days we may be closed for renovations, and days we may be open for special events. Is there a place for my family to eat? YES - You can bring a lunch or snack to eat in our 1st floor Kitchen/Birthday room (from 10:15am to 1:45pm, on our 1st floor bench by our museum back door, on the picnic table on the covered train platform outside our door, or (weather permitting) in the historic park outside. We have snack bags (chips etc.), soda, juice, and water available for purchase. You may also get your hand stamped and drive to a local restaurant (there are several within a mile) and return after lunch to eat in our 1st floor Kitchen/Bday room. Outside of the Museum, there is an outdoor display of real trains including an Engine & Dining Car, acquired by the National Railway Historic Society, residing on museum property. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Museum on a Board Committee or as a Board Member, please contact Marlene Brown at 315-724-6129 or email her. View Sponsors/Supporters page Read 2009 article on Brown, who was quoted in Newsweek. Read Mohawk Valley Business Journal article on Museum. * Read Utica Observer Dispatch article on Museum, "Community Treasure." .* Download museum's history flyer * Download Utica O-D history * Download Visitors Blog *
Bagg's Square Memorial Park (pictured above Right), is the home of Bagg's Tavern & Hotel, originally built as a log house in 1794 by Moses Baggs, a blacksmith and tavern keeper who kept a thriving business there. Guests included General George Washington, General Lafayette, Henry Clay, and General Grant. Local author Joseph Bottini said, of the Bagg's Square Park area: “The park marks the site of the former Bagg's Hotel, a Utica landmark owned by the Proctor family and torn down during the great depression. This is where Utica began. This is the birthplace of Utica." The building on the property originally was intended to house memorabilia from the hotel, but has remained vacant most of its lifetime. The park also houses several historical markers related to Old Fort Schuyler that were moved from their original locations when state Route 5S was constructed. To top Museum Hours: OPEN Monday, Thursday, Saturday 9:30am - 2:00pm. NOTE: Come early- doors open at 9:30 a.m. To ensure enough time to enjoy your visit, no admissions are allowed one hour before closing. Closing time is 2:00pm. We reserve the right to close early on any given day which has no visitors in before 1:00pm.The 4th floor is open 11:15-11:45am & 12:45-1:15pm. Hours are subject to change. (we're opening earlier due to member & educator requests, thus closing earlier) Holiday
Weeks & School Closing Hours: Check our Online Calendar for special event & holiday schedule, renovation closings, etc. * Download Hours/Admission Admission
(at the door): Group
Rates (pre-booked):
Group Rates - Visit or Tour plus Educational Program (pre-booked): $7.00
per person in groups of 25-49 (visit & program, 1 chaperone free
for every 6 paid) Weather
Closings Return to Program
page * The Children's Museum internship and volunteer programs provide opportunities to gain valuable experience working with professional educators and children in an historically rich and diverse environment in Upstate NY. CM Internship & Volunteers Program Objective - Provide a hands-on experience training in a children's museum with professionals. Goals for All Interns - Gain an appreciation for the essential need to provide educational programs in history, the arts, science, and technology; Learn about the mission, programs and history of CM: Learn about the resources, operations and role of a children's museum; Learn the benefits of teamwork, cooperation and reinforce a sense of responsibility; Gain a valuable work experience for your resume. Age requirements for internships range from pre-college students to post-college. Goals for All Volunteers - Gain an appreciation for the essential need to help out at the museum with programs, maintenance, fix-up's, monitoring of floors; Learn about the mission, programs and history of CM: Learn about the resources, operations and role of a children's museum; Contribute to the spirit of teamwork and community cooperation; Contribute via a community service project. The ages of volunteers ranges from junior high school students to senior citizens. The opportunity to work with the museum professionals in a globally respected Children's Museum and to learn about the intricacies of all the various programs we offer and exhibits we have and the importance of what we provide to the community and to visitors both locally and around the world is what makes an internship and volunteerism at The Children's Museum a truly unique experience. Children's Museum Guidelines for interns/volunteers can be downloaded here. For more information about internships or volunteerism, contact: Executive Director Marlene B. Brown via Tel: 315-724-6129 or Email, or Mail your resume with a cover letter indicating an internship interest to: The Children's Museum, 311 Main Street, Utica, NY 13501
Executive Director Background: June 2002: The Children's Museum Board of Directors announced they had chosen Marlene B. Brown as the new Executive Director of the Children's Museum. A business futurist, retired school & university teacher, leadership and marketing consultant, active Rotarian, and former Children's Museum Board Chair, Marlene was put in charge of running the operations. She had been successfully running the operations since Oct. 2001. Under her leadership, the museum has been declared a NYS and Federal Historic Building, and continues to increase and improve the number of educational programs & interactive exhibits offered at the Museum. The Children's Museum Board of Directors Background: Jan. 2010: Mike Pilawa, Lead Account Exec Energy - National Grid; John Stephenson, retired GE finances - GE Elfun; Matt Chmielewski, Owner - Advantechcny computer integration & networking; John Nogas, Group Proposal Specialist - CT Group; Ed Waszkiewicz, Insurance and 401k Sales Representative - Mutual of Omaha; Brad Zacek, Owner - Flower Peddler & Private Decorating Consultant; Sabina Bajic, Agency Coordinator Special Risk Division - Commercial Travelers & Millennium Bosnian Radio Show; Franca Armstrong, Executive Director - Mohawk Valley Community College's Corporate & Community Programs; Bradley Brown, retired IBM system analyst/sales mkt team leader & Senior Principal - The Gemini Group Consulting Services; Mike Zarnock, Owner - MikeZarnock, Author/Hot Wheels Guinness World Record Holder; Josh Glassberg, Systems Analyst- Capraro Technologies, Inc. December 2002: We doubled our attendance, paid off all outstanding debts, had the Grand Opening of our 4th floor Transportion Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow exhibits, and were adopted by NASA and the Office of Science, thanks to then Congressman Sherry Boehlert - the only children's museum to have this honor! 2003: The museum continued its growth; installed new Heating & Air Conditioning on most floors; became headquarters of the Int’l Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Canoeing, Rowing, Kayaking. 2004: The museum continued its growth, securing a new oak front door and updated front entranceway (thanks to the GE Elfun’s), became headquarters for the Guinness World Record holder Mike Zarnock’s Hot Wheels Hall of Fame. 2005: We installed new energy-efficient windows throughout (thanks to grants from then NYS Senator Ray Meier, Community Foundation & Nimo Foundation). 2006: We cut the ribbon on our Commemorative Brick Sidewalk, and continued our renovations & growth. 2007: We were certified as a NYS & Federal Historic building. We continue to be a quality of life and tourist attraction for the City of Utica, MV and CNY. 2008- we installed new energy-efficient lighting throughout, plus two new roof signs & new chandeliers, thanks to a grant from Senator Griffo & the NYPA & donations from Color Ad & Serianni Signs & Meyda Tiffany. 2009 - we installed four new Interactive Exhibits – an LED Play Dance Floor, Touch Screen History Quizzes (thanks to The Community Foundation), and a Lionel Train Table (thanks to The GE Elfun’s). We met with City of Utica and County of Oneida officials and council/board to request a small annual donation to the museum, and will be applying for CDBG and United Way funding in January 2010. We also applied for several Stimulus Fund Recovery Projects and other grants to continue our renovation & growth. We were chosen as 1 of the 3 finalist in the Mohawk Valley's Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award in the category of NFP's with under 50 employees. In 2010, we need to replace our aging and leaking roof with a new energy renewable green solar panel roof; finish our 4th fl’s Surround Sound Theatre, put add’l bathrooms on the 3rd floor, redo flooring. In 2011, we plan to begin renovating our 5th floor, add a Science Planetarium, & install an eco-system butterfly pond in back of our building. |
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Contact Info: Parking: When you've turned off from Broad Street in Utica, onto Railroad Street, then at the next block, turned onto Main Street, you’ll be in front of our building (you can't miss the signs). Just a few hundred feet ahead on your Left, you’ll see a parking lot with a Children’s Museum Parking sign. Cars can park there during the week and not be ticketed (there's limited handicapped accessible parking along the street in front of the museum). Buses can park under the Bridge there. On Saturday's, you can park anywhere around the museum without getting ticketed. Directions &
Maps:
Print out directions & map PDF Print version * View Map/Directions webpage |
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About Utica The city of Utica, in New York State, is the county seat of Oneida County. Located in NY's Mohawk River Valley, Utica was settled by Matson and Van Zandt in October, 1836 and was known as Greene Township. The city of Utica has undergone many transformations
since Europeans first began to settle during the latter half of the
18th century. Before Anglo-Saxons came on the scene, the land was the
home of the Oneida Indians, part of the Iroquois Nation. Built on land
granted to William Crosby in 1734, Utica was the site of Old Fort Schuyler.
English, Dutch and French settlers, realizing the potential profit of
the Mohawk Valley, constructed Fort Schuyler to help control fur interests
and serve as the region’s link to East Coast markets, as the Mohawk
River was easiest to ford here. Trains began making regular runs between Utica, Schenectady, and Albany by 1836.Prior to the Civil War, Utica established itself as the state’s textile capital, and its river banks were echoed with the sound of steam-driven looms. Although the town’s role as a textile center faded in the 1940's and 50's, when many of the larger mills relocated south, city and county leaders attracted new businesses like General Electric, Bendix, Univac, and Utica Drop Forge and Tool. Although today’s Utica bears little resemblance to that 19th century textile town, its economy continues strong as ever. The Children's Museum (established in 1963), The Stanley Performing Arts Center, and Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute make Utica Oneida County’s center for arts and culture. Other tourist attractions include the Oneida County Historical Society, the Utica Zoo, the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, and the F.X. Matt Brewing Company's 1888 Tavern. All are located in downtown Utica, just minutes from Onieda County Airport and the NYS Thruway's Interstate 90. The
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