 | |
.jpg) The western side of the museum | |
 | |
| Established | 1899; 126 years ago (1899) |
|---|---|
| Location | 145 Brooklyn Avenue,Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°40′28″N73°56′38″W / 40.67448°N 73.9439°W /40.67448; -73.9439 |
| Public transit access | Subway: Kingston Avenue  Kingston-Throop Avenues  Bus: B43,B44,B65 |
| Website | Official website |
TheBrooklyn Children's Museum is a children's museum in theCrown Heights neighborhood ofBrooklyn inNew York City. Founded in 1899, it is the firstchildren's museum in the United States – and according to some, the first one worldwide.[1] It is unusual in its location in what is predominantly a residential area.[2] Housed in a multi-level underground gallery,[3] the museum underwent an expansion and renovation to double its space, reopened on September 20, 2008, and became the firstgreen museum in New York City.
The museum's collection and exhibitions reflect its long history as well as the changes in children's educational needs over time and the changing environment.[2] Its original focus was the presentation of natural science to children raised in anurban environment, but followingWorld War II, technology and cultural awareness became more important.[3] The underground gallery in which the museum was located following a 1975 move provided the ideal location for arranging evolving exhibits.[4] The museum was not intended to solely attract the interest of a young audience, but rather to engage their minds from a young age.[5] Children contribute extensively in the planning of museum exhibits, and have done so for a significant part of its history.[6][7]
The Museum was founded following a proposal from the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences (now theBrooklyn Museum) on December 16, 1899, in the Adams House.[5] The museum operated under the direction of the Brooklyn Institute and received approximately $70,000 in funds fromNew York City each year to supplement the donations it received. Attendance grew quickly, with monthly visitation exceeding 13,000 by October 1905.[5]
In 1929, the museum opened the Smith House annex.[8] In the 1930s, theWorks Progress Administration supplied hundreds of workers to the museum, which thrived in theGreat Depression.[9] Among these workers wasEllis Credle, who painted murals before her career as an author began.[10] By October 1930, monthly visitation had reached 60,000[11] and by 1939, the museum had received move than 9 million visitors since it opened 40 years prior.[1] In 1968 the Brooklyn Children's Museum opened MUSE, the Bedford Lincoln Neighborhood Museum.[12]
In 1975, the museum moved to a new space, housed underneathBrower Park at St Mark's and Brooklyn Avenues, following the demolition of theVictorian houses that served as its prior home.[3] In 1996, the museum was once again renovated at a cost of $7 million to include miniature amphitheaters and a number of new galleries.[13] Two years later, it became a part ofHeart of Brooklyn, a cultural partnership established to promote tourism to Brooklyn.[14]
In 2005, it was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from theCarnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayorMichael Bloomberg.[15][16] In the same year, work began on the $43 million expansion that was to nearly double the size of the museum,[17] and handle more than 400,000 visitors each year.[18] As part of its commitment to environmental integrity and energy efficiency, the institution has taken credit for being the first New York City museum to usegeothermal wells for heating and cooling purposes.[19]
A section of the museum's building was converted into space for the Brower Park branch ofBrooklyn Public Library, as part of a wider partnership between the museum and the library system. It opened in July 2023.[20]Gans and Company was hired to design another renovation of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, which commenced in August 2024 at a cost of $15 million.[21][22] The renovation was planned to include a 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) courtyard, as well as a new retaining wall along Brower Park, and was to be completed in 2025.[22][23]
Media related toBrooklyn Children's Museum at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
