The Portland Children’s Museum recently announced its permanent closure effective June 30, 2021. 

The Portland Children’s Museum offers transformative learning experiences through arts and sciences for children. It was a pillar for most Portland kid’s childhood. 

“The children’s museum was a huge part of our kids’ childhood,” Jesuit parent Lisa Pope said. “It was part of our weekly rotation to occupy the kids. We had it down to a science. We get there early, get in, do everything first, eat lunch, and then by the time we were in the car driving home, they would already be asleep. It was awesome, I’m super super sad it won’t be there anymore.”

The museum has remained closed since March of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Without visitors and ticket sales, the museum was not able to overcome the economic payments amid the pandemic. The museum would not be able to accommodate new cleaning protocols, limiting capacity, or increasing its staff in the foreseeable future. 

The Portland Children’s Museum was also looking forward to celebrating its 75th anniversary. 

“The Museum welcomed 4.8 million visitors during its 75 years and recently hosted more than 250,000 visitors each year—many of whom first visited as children decades ago and returned as parents or grandparents,” David Peterson, Chair Board of Directors, said in his recent press release. 

“It’s the first place I knowingly used a computer. That was in the late 80s,” Jesuit alum Patrick Schneider said. 

The museum had tons of activities, allowing children to immerse themselves in their imagination for hours. Opportunities included pretending to be a veterinarian, manning the cashier stand at the mini grocery store, playing with plastic toys in water features, putting on a stellar performance in the auditorium, or getting creative in the clay studio or the “garage” craft stations. 

“The best thing about the children’s museum was that it was educational and fun, so it also taught them things,” Lisa Pope said. “We liked all the different exhibits. If it were sunny we’d always have to run outside and jump on the cow that you weren’t really supposed to jump on.”

“I liked the water with the ducks! And the alligator with the big teeth,” senior Declan Quillin said. “Really sad to hear such a pillar of my childhood gone.” 

The building accompanied Opal Elementary School as well. 

“I went to elementary school on the lower floor of the Children’s Museum, senior Marin Biniak said. “I walked through the building everyday and my school was integrated with the museum so I kind of grew up there. My favorite thing was just watching the [seasonal] exhibits change and getting to see younger kids play there as I got older. 

A passionate parent has started a petition to save the Children’s Museum. She is attempting to receive 25,000 votes and gain the attention of donors in order to save one of Portland’s most cherished landmarks.