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Hands-On Children’s Museum unveils 17,000-square-foot expansion plan, wins $700,000 grant
Summary
Museum staff told the CARPFD board the design-build expansion will add about 17,000 square feet, double outdoor space, add exhibit galleries and classrooms, and aims for a spring 2028 opening after securing a $700,000 grant from the Norcliffe Foundation, leaving roughly $1.5 million to raise.
Marina Shaughnessy told the Capitol Area Regional Public Facilities District board on June 15 that the Hands-On Children’s Museum is moving from feasibility into full design for a major expansion, including a 17,000-square-foot new building connected to the existing facility by a sky bridge and about a half-acre of new outdoor space.
The expansion, Shaughnessy said, will add a traveling-exhibit gallery, more exhibit space (including a signature climbing feature being explored with Lucky Climbers), dedicated preschool and camp classrooms, and a culinary classroom designed for youth programming. “We began schematic design in February and are 50% through design development,” she said, adding that the museum selected Forma as the design-build contractor and Mthun as architect.
Why it matters: the board funds and supports regional attractions that drive visitation and economic activity. Shaughnessy said the museum now draws visitors from a wide footprint — including out-of-state and international visitors — and anticipates stronger long-range viability by expanding exhibits that appeal to older children. She noted efforts to design tactile, developmentally appropriate experiences and to create national-scale traveling exhibits to increase repeat visitation.
Fundraising and schedule: Shaughnessy announced a $700,000 grant from the Norcliffe Foundation, the museum’s largest single gift, which reduces the campaign gap to about $1.5 million. She outlined a timeline that calls for contractor mobilization this fall, a building completion target of December 2027, exhibit installation through March 2028, and a grand opening in spring 2028. The museum projects first-year post-expansion visitation near 360,000.
On programming choices and education goals, Shaughnessy said the museum will intentionally minimize technology and emphasize hands-on, tactile learning that supports fine and gross motor skills and social-emotional development. “We minimize technology in the museum very intentionally because we want people to be doing hands-on tactile experiences that are nurturing,” she said.
Board members asked technical and procurement questions about specific exhibits and infrastructure. On the culinary classroom, staff explained current electrical constraints and the plan to install floor plugs to allow more robust cooking stations. On a water feature rendering, Shaughnessy clarified the layout and noted the museum’s conversations with specific exhibit designers, including Gregory Gavin.
Next steps: design development and exhibit planning continue; the museum will launch a community campaign for smaller gifts in the fall and continue major-gift and government-support solicitations. The board received the report and asked staff to circulate the presentation materials to members.
Sources: Presentation and remarks by Marina Shaughnessy to the CARPFD board on June 15, 2026.
