At the Orpheum Children's Science Museum, we inspire, engage and educate children through exploration of science and the arts. We are a founding member of the Museums at the Crossroads, which raises awareness of the museums of Champaign County.
Our home is the Orpheum Theatre, one of the finest historic buildings in central Illinois. This beloved facility is one of the best examples of adaptive reuse of an historic structure in the country.
PartiesLooking for a fun and unique birthday party? Consider the Orpheum! Parties at the Orpheum are a wonderful way to celebrate your special event. Party goers will enjoy a private party room and an entire museum full of hands on exhibits. The Orpheum now offers themed birthday parties sure to entertain your guest of honor!
The Orpheum is a community leader that unites schools, business, universities and community colleges, performance centers and groups, artists and the array of talent and resources prevalent in our community to enrich and enliven daily life of families and the community. There are many ways to get involved including volunteering, becoming a member, and providing financial support.
The New Orpheum Theatre opened on October 19, 1914 as both a vaudeville theater and a "moving picture" house. All the great stars of the Orpheum Theatre Circuit played Champaign, and it was considered to be the finest theater in downstate Illinois. The Orpheum is a one-third scale model of the opera hall at Versailles and one of the earliest designs of the prestigious architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp of Chicago.
The Orpheum offers curriculum that is built around some of the most interesting and important science topics. Our field trips, designed by scientists and educators, contain enriching activities that encourage the wonder of science while teaching core scientific principles. Field trips are taught by our experienced education staff, who bring science to life in understandable and engaging ways. Our age appropriate field trips encourage the wonder and fun your children love. Field trips are available for preschool-5th grade students. The Illinois State Standards for Science apply to all field trips for grades K-5. To schedule a field trip, please contact 531-3555.