PEABODY — It’s been a long time coming, but the North Shore Children’s Museum will open its doors for the first time at its permanent home in the heart of downtown Peabody this Saturday.
The museum, located at 10 Main St., was piloted as a pop-up endeavor, CuriousCity, in 2019, which was designed to test the feasibility of a children’s museum in downtown Peabody. CuriousCity was warmly received by families across Northeast Massachusetts and boosted business for nearby restaurants. Based on its success, the City of Peabody turned its attention to creating a permanent museum and jumped at the opportunity to lease the former TD Bank building when it became available last spring.
“Revitalization of the local economy has always been a key priority for me as Mayor and opening a destination like the children’s museum will help bring visitors downtown,” said Mayor Ted Bettencourt, who went on to say “as a father of four, I know how important it is for families to have fun, educational things to do on the weekends.”
The North Shore Children’s Museum maintained the original footprint of the former bank,its small spaces ideal for 14 hands-on and interactive exhibits and activities geared toward children of all abilities.
Exhibits range from storytelling stations complete with dress-up costumes to a train room complete with a train set from Peabody-based North East Trains. The ocean exhibit features a 3-D topographic map. There’s even a neon glow-in-the-dark outer space room and a medical exhibit with interactive role playing to help allay children’s fear of going to the doctor.
Other exhibits feature comic-book-, insects-, food-, and bank-themed activities and displays.
The museum also includes a large workshop and party space, which will be used for additional programming and birthday party rentals. Already the party space is booked for 40 events.
Ali Haydock began as executive director in July and has spent the past three months working with local businesses, non-profits, and artists to create enriching, one-of-a-kind exhibits. She shared that access is fundamental to the museum’s mission, stating that “the museum believes in providing an immersive and memorable learning experience for all children, regardless of economic status, physical and mental abilities, and backgrounds.”
Discounted library passes, free town days, $3 EBT card tickets, and a low-sensory room are just some of the ways the museum plans to ensure inclusivity. The regular price of admission is $12 for children and adults alike.
Advanced ticket purchases are recommended and go on sale Thursday at nschildrensmuseum.org. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
