International Festival – Save the Date!

February 22, 2025
10 am – 4 pm

Look for more about this great event and sponsorship opportunities soon!

Annual Gala: A Night in the Rainforest

Our 23rd annual Gala, A Night in the Rainforest, was a big success! We couldn’t have done this without the support of our friends – that’s YOU. Thank you to everyone who helped with the Gala. Proceeds from this event support museum operations all year long.

Thank you to our generous Gala sponsors!

Great Kapok Tree ($10,000):
Materials and Chemistry Laboratory, Inc.

Howler Monkey ($5000):
CNS, Merrick and Company

Pink River Dolphin ($2500):
Jim & Ronnie Bogard, Larry & Marge Burkholder, Chris & Pete Clark, K.A.P.P.A. Foundation, RSI EnTech

Topaz Hummingbird ($1500):
ORAU, ORNL Federal Credit Union, UCOR

Capybara ($1000):
Fred & Sandra Barry, Bonnie Carroll & Roy Cooper, Charlie Hensley, Retirement Planning Services, George & Michelle Solomon, TN Bank

Scarlet Macaw ($500):
AMSE Foundation, Tom Beehan & Kay Brookshire, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Barry & Sandra Guryan, Howard Hildreth Insurance, MS Technology, Inc., Susan McCarthy, Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge Floral, Michael & Michele Sanders, Sexton Automotive, Beth & Bill Shea, Strata-G

Rickey Smith was our photographer this year. You can see his Gala photos at https://www.ricksmith.photos/Events/Childrens-Museum-Gala-2024

P.S. Thank you to Bob’s Washboard and Laundromat Wash N’ Fold in Oak Ridge for donating their services to launder the many tablecloths used at the Gala!

Inclement Weather Policy

It doesn’t happen very often, but there may be days when we are closed because of the weather. During the school year, the Children’s Museum follows the Oak Ridge School District – if they are closed, then we are too.  On weekends or other times when school is not in session the Museum‘s Executive Director makes the decision.  

If the Children’s Museum is closed because of weather, it will posted here and on Facebook, Instagram, and X (@CMOROakRidge). 

School Field Trip Scholarships

Great news! The School Field Trip Scholarship program was the Fund-a-Project at this year’s Gala. Thanks to our generous Gala guests, the Children’s Museum has funding for school field trip scholarships for Title 1 schools (outside of Oak Ridge) for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. Learn more here.

Please note: Oak Ridge public schools are covered by a district grant given to the Children’s Museum for student admission fees. Talk to your school administrator for more information.

Grand Opening – Meet Alvin Weinberg  

Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday, October 27 to help celebrate the official opening of our newest exhibit, Meet Alvin Weinberg. The exhibit includes a kiosk where visitors can learn more about Alvin Weinberg and his life through photos and videos, and explore documents from the digital archive.

Thank you to the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce for presiding over the ribbon cutting.

FY25 TAC GRANTS ANNOUNCED

The Children’s Museum has received two competitive grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) effective July 1: an Arts Education Community grant for $900 that will support an art camp for at-risk children, and a Partnership Support grant of $24,000 for operating support. About 80% of TAC’s grant funding comes from the Tennessee Specialty License Plate program. You can purchase a specialty plate at any time. Learn more here.