The Trailhead Children’s Museum has a new home and will be opening the doors to a new museum space at 501 Elk Avenue this June. Starting this summer, the Trailhead will welcome the community back into a re-imagined children’s museum where local and visiting families and children can connect, explore, create and play together. 

 

“This is a dream come true,” says longtime board member Melissa Fenlon. “Thanks to our staff and board, we have not stopped pushing forward to find a museum space. Although there have been many hurdles, we knew we would find a home for our beloved children’s museum. And our new space in the heart of downtown will be amazing!”

 

Over the past year and a half, the Trailhead was working closely with the Center for the Arts to reopen the children’s museum in the old Center building. However, cost prohibitive repairs to that building have led the town and the Center to officially close that space to occupancy. 

 

In light of that closure, the Trailhead connected with the Walter Group, who jumped at the opportunity to help provide a home for such an amazing community resource. 501 Elk Ave. will provide a place to call home as well as a launching point from which the Trailhead can grow and plan for the future. 

 

“We are grateful to our members, stakeholders and local and visiting community who’ve been patiently awaiting the reopening of our beloved children’s museum. We are excited to engage with the community in a new space where creativity, play and connection can take flight!” says Trailhead board president Katie Mueller. 

 

As the Trailhead team starts work on the new museum space, they will pause their monthly pop-up museums in order to focus energy and resources on re-opening the physical museum. 

 

“We are honored and fortified by the support of our pop-up museums,” says Trailhead Executive Director Sarah Broadwell. “It’s proof that our community needs us. In the past year and a half, if you have donated, sponsored, attended a pop-up museum or movie night, or joined us for camps and classes, we express our deepest gratitude for your support and for believing in the value and possibility of the Trailhead.”

 

Explore our website or follow us on Instagram for more information on Trailhead events, summer programming and special family art nights.