today at the museum Open today 10 am–5 pm

Memories

For 100 years, The Children’s Museum has sparked lifelong memories for both children and adults. Join us to celebrate a century of memorable experiences that empower and inspire!

Here's how The Children's Museum has evolved into the place you and your family love today.

The Children's Museum was founded in 1925 through the stewardship and inspiration of Mary Stewart Carey. After visiting the Brooklyn Children's Museum, she was determined to create a museum for the children of Indianapolis. With the help of several civic-minded women and contributions from children in nearby neighborhoods, the first museum collection sprang to life.

Archive photo of construction of dinosaur sculpture bursting out of museum.
Archive photo of Sunburst Atrium under construction.
Archive photo of Carousel installation.
Archive photo of children playing in cave.
Archive photo of Cinedome construction.
Archive photo of Jane Pauley and David Letterman on the Carousel.
Win prizes

Share your memory

We're collecting photos and stories about your favorite Children’s Museum memories, moments, and exhibits. By sharing your memory, you could win monthly prizes like tickets to the museum, store gift cards, Centennial swag, and museum memberships. We can’t wait to hear how the museum has impacted your life!
Enter your memory
“I keep this in my my locker at the museum to remember why I do this job.”
@Hannah Hoffman
“When my family and I first moved to Indiana in 2011.”
@Tamika-Valencia Sullivan
“My three boys on the Carousel--they're now 15, 17, & 18.”
@Alli Stitle
Add yours @childrensmuseum

Your museum memories!

Here are a few of the stories and photos you've already shared.
“My biggest memory was playing in ScienceWorks.”
@Amy Telezyn
“Taken in 1996. Both of the people riding are now museum employees! ”
@Deanna Roberts-Blair
“When I was 8 my painting was selected to be displayed on the core ramp.”
@Laura Kruty
“In 1996, when I was 7, my mom took us to the museum from Louisville.”
@Mackenzie Sanders
“My son's birthday party in the museum computer lab around 1988.”
@Marcy Ekhaus
“This is 1993 and I was 2. We often took a photo on Spike with our cousins!”
@Sarah Fox
“My brother and me on the Carousel in 1986.”
@Jenny Holland
Centennial Exhibit

Memories, Wonders, and Dreams: Stories from 100 Years

In our first 100 years, The Children’s Museum has collected over 130,000 objects—and they all have stories to tell. In Memories, Wonders, and Dreams: Stories from 100 Years, learn the stories of 100 objects from our vast collection, a mix of never-before-seen objects, beloved museum icons (such as our historic Carousel), and artifacts from past exhibits. Objects in this bilingual exhibit are related to arts and culture, natural sciences, history, sports, and pop culture. See how these objects tell us stories about the past and prompt us to wonder about stories yet to come.

Explore the stories

Explore the history of some of the museum's most iconic objects.

Large train inside the museum
All Aboard the Mighty Reuben Wells
A staple at the museum since the late 1960s, find out how the museum was literally built around this iconic train.
An icon older than the museum!
While the Carousel has been part of the museum for over half a century, its history goes way back to the early 1900s.
The largest water clock of its kind in North America
This incredible icon traveled rom France to the Hoosier heartland in 1988.
A tower of glass
Dale Chihuly’s largest permanently installed glass sculpture, made up of 4,800 glass pieces.
Bumblebee arrives!
Since 2011, this famous Autobot has made himself at home in the Welcome Center.
today at the museum