The Utica Children’s Museum is thrilled to announce the opening date of the all-new museum in December 2024, marking a significant milestone in the museum’s history. After years of lots of planning, collaboration, and teamwork, the museum is set to offer an amazing experience for families and children across the region.
Located within the ICAN Family Resource Center, the completely reimagined museum will feature a 4,000 sq. ft. Rotunda and a completely renovated 10,000 sq. ft. second floor, showcasing six galleries and 60 custom-fabricated exhibits. These new spaces have been designed with the community in mind, inviting visitors to “Love Where You Live!” and explore what makes our region unique-our rich cultures, four seasons, STEAM industry, food, music and more!
“Our journey to this point has been filled with passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to bring to life a museum that not only entertains but also educates and inspires our visitors,” said Meghan Fraser McGrogan, Interim Director. “Working with world-renowned museum designers, local artists, and students, we have crafted a space that truly reflects our community’s spirit and forward-thinking vision. We’re working hard to get it just right before we open our doors!”
The museum has embraced Universal Design principles from conception through completion, making it the first in the country to do so. This approach ensures that all visitors, regardless of ability, will have a comfortable and enriching experience. Every exhibit within the museum has been thoughtfully designed to serve a specific purpose, with attention to eliminating barriers that are often overlooked in traditional museum layouts.
In anticipation of the December opening, residents and visitors to Utica can expect to witness the final stages of the museum’s transformation, with trucks arriving and installation teams working diligently to piece together all 14,000 sq. ft. of the exhibits.
“We want to thank our national team of experts, local partners, and the community at large for their support and belief in the vision of the Utica Children’s Museum,” McGrogan added. “This museum is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to create something extraordinary for future generations!”
The Utica Children’s Museum invites everyone to join in the excitement as they prepare to open their doors and welcome visitors to experience the magic of the all-new museum. Updates and progress can be followed on the museum’s emails, Facebook, and Instagram.
About Utica Children’s Museum
The new Utica Children’s Museum will be located in the Parkway District of Utica on the corner of Holland Avenue and Memorial Parkway. It will create an entirely new experience for families in the Mohawk Valley. Six galleries and 60 exhibits are currently in fabrication, and the museum is slated to open in December 2024 (we will release information on progress and opening date when available).
The new museum is part of a larger project of ICAN—the development of a first-of-itskind Family Resource Center that houses ICAN family-based programs, a Community Room available for other organizations, and the Museum. With over 60 years of history, the Utica Children’s Museum is one of the oldest children’s museums in the country.
