ANNUAL GALA

You are cordially invited to attend the 23rd Annual Gala to benefit the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge on Friday, November 22 from 6:00-9:00 pm. Support the Children’s Museum and enjoy an evening of entertainment, delicious food, and lively auctions!

Our evening will feature…

• Emcee Heather Haley, WVLT-TV Chief Meteorologist
• Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales speaking on The Wonder of Hummingbirds
• Presentation of the Selma Shapiro Friend of the Child Award to Barry Stephenson
• Silent auction with many unique items
• Live auction with Bear Stephenson
• Dinner from Birdwell Catering

Tickets are $125 each or $800 for a table of eight (a savings of $200!), on sale here.

Follow our Gala updates on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn (@cmoroakridge), including previews of our amazing auction items!

Sponsorships are still available and include Gala tickets. For information about sponsorships click here.

Special Third Sunday with ORNL

November 17, 1 – 4 pm
Free with Admission

What can you make with a 3D printer? Join us for a special Third Sunday activity this month with staff from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). See the different types of materials used to make parts for vehicles, furniture, and even a 3D-printed model train! Researchers from ORNL will be on hand to talk about the items and share how exciting it can be to plan and 3D print items used in common places.

Third Sunday visitors can also meet Knoxville Area Model Railroaders members and see their clubhouse. Members of the Amateur Radio Club of Oak Ridge will be on hand in the Discovery Lab with radio equipment that you can explore. You can also visit with members of the Knoxville Philatelic Society in the Craft and Science Room and learn about stamps.

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.

School Field Trip Scholarships

Thanks to a generous donation from the Smoky Mountain Region Porsche Club of America, the Children’s Museum has funding for school field trip scholarships for Title 1 schools (outside of Oak Ridge) for 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.

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.