Last updated: 1/25/2016
Utica, New York
Address
311 Main Street
Utica, NY 13501
phone: 315-724-6129
e-mail: ebrando@uticacm.org
web: www.uticacm.org

Hours

Wednesday, Friday - Saturday
10 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10 AM - 6 PM

Admissions

Adults: $8
Seniors: $7
Military: $7
Military Vet (): $7
College Students (): $7
Children (2-17): $6
Children under 2: Free
Up to 4 individuals with EBT card EACH: $1

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Elizabeth Slocum Brando
phone: 315-724-6129
Jessica Bickford-Manson
phone: 315-724-6129
Description

The Children's Museum is an educationally enjoyable not-for-profit. Schools, daycares, scouts, families, seniors, tourists interact w/the 100's of hands-on exhibits on our 4 floors for hours of exploring fun! We are the only children's museum adopted by NASA and the Office of Science. 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, and fourteen foot high ceiling sheathed in fancy pressed tin.

Mission

Our mission is to offer an environment that supports every child?s natural curiosity to learn through hands-on, play-based exploration.

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. Today we are among one of the oldest children's museums in the country. 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 was constructed at the turn of the century.

Artifact Collections

The Children's Museum of Utica artifacts collection includes Native American, Erie Canal, Central NY history, Dinosaurs and fossils and meteorites, Space, Science, early American history, trains.

Educational Programs

Chartered by the NYS Board of Regents, we offer several educational resource programs for school field trips, scout troops, and visitors. Programs cover dinosaurs and fossils, living science, music appreciation, Native American, NYS history, Science, Space Exploration, Weather, Arts and Crafts.

We offer group and field trip visits, and volunteer docent led tours upon request.

Facilities

We have four floors of interactive exhibits

Governance

Governed by a Board of Directors.

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Members
Appointment required: No
Publications

We publish a monthly newsletter, called Fingerprints, which is mailed to our members and corporate sponsors, and posted on our website.

"Fingerprints": The Children's Museum Monthly Newsletter
Services
Children's Birthday Parties

Use the Museum for your child’s next celebration! Let us help you plan a memorable time for your child next celebration in a uniquely enjoyable setting. Parties can be scheduled any time that we are open. You provide all of the food, beverages, and decorations. You set-up, decorate, and clean-up the room (we sweep and mop!). We loosely schedule parties from 10:00 – 12:00 noon and 1:00 – 3:00. Feel free to enjoy the Museum as much as you wish, but the room can only be booked for a 2 hour time. PLEASE NOTE: To ensure the safety of our guests, each child must be accompanied by an adult; we are not a drop off facility. For example, a group of 30 would be 15 kids and 15 adults with the birthday child and one parent free. Due to the size of our Birthday Party room, parties are for a maximum of 38 people.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours
ADA

Elevator on site and wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Oregon Museum Association 2024 Conference

September 8, 2024 - September 10, 2025

North Bend, Oregon

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

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