Mission

Chicago Children's Museum's mission is to create a community where play and learning connect. The museum's primary audience is children up through the fifth grade including their families, along with the school and community groups that support and influence children's growth and development. The museum also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and college internships.

Fifteen permanent exhibits and programming spaces provide innovative learning experiences for children and their caregivers. The museum serves more than 500,000 visitors annually. CCM also reaches out beyond its walls by making a significant investment of resources in neighborhoods across Chicago, particularly to children who might not otherwise have access to the museum's rich array of resources.

History

Chicago Children's Museum was founded in 1982 by a coalition led by The Junior League of Chicago in response to program cutbacks in the Chicago Public Schools. The museum opened in two hallways of the Chicago Public Library. In response to capacity crowds on-site, CCM developed trunk shows and exhibits which traveled to schools, branch libraries, and neighborhood centers.

The growing demand for CCM services led to its relocation in 1986 to a 7,000 s.f. Chicago Park District facility in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. In 1989, as part of a five-year plan, CCM moved to another interim site—a 21,000 square foot building as part of a mixed-use renovated warehouse. In that site, CCM built its audience, exhibits, programs, partnerships, and funding base while searching for a site for a permanent home.

In October 1995, CCM opened as anchor tenant of Chicago's redeveloped Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. The 57,000 square foot facility has served as a springboard to propel CCM to make an important difference in the learning lives of kids. With three floors of engaging and educational exhibits, a full array of public programs and special events, CCM strives to effectively meet the needs of its diverse audience.

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