Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine Decides “Reopening” will be the “Grand Opening” of New Facility at Thompson’s Point

With construction proceeding as scheduled, the new facility of the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is scheduled to open in spring of 2021.

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine’s Board of Directors has voted unanimously not to reopen to the public at 142 Free Street prior to the move to and grand opening at the new facility at Thompson’s Point in spring of 2021. The Free Street building closed on Friday, March 13, 2020 to protect public health due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Museum & Theatre, the tenth largest visitor attraction in Maine, has been located on Free Street since its move there in 1993.

“While our building has been closed, the staff has worked tirelessly to create and deliver a full slate of innovative and virtual educational programs, for which I am so grateful. Since the closure, we have also been researching safe ways to use the building to continue our mission and to serve the community. One initiative has been a collaboration with the Portland Public School system to serve as one of their trusted community partners who provide a childcare hub,” said Executive Director Julie Butcher Pezzino. 

Through its partnership with the Portland Public Schools, the 142 Free Street facility is currently hosting two pods of children who alternate days spent in discovery and play with Museum & Theatre educators in the afternoons. Supported by CARES ACT funding, this will continue through early December, contingent upon the course of the pandemic.

“In the winter, we will need to shift to decommissioning 142 Free Street. This will involve removing exhibits and office equipment, packing, and preparing to vacate the building for the new owner - the Portland Museum of Art,” said Julie Butcher Pezzino.

All Museum & Theatre members whose memberships were current at the time of the March 13th closure will have their membership period extended into the new facility by the same number of days as they had remaining in their membership during closure.

Construction for the new facility at Thompson’s Point continues on schedule and a grand opening is projected for spring of 2021. With a 100-seat theatre, a 10,000 sq ft science center, an entire floor devoted to arts, culture, and community, and over a 1/2 acre of outdoor play area, the reimagined Museum & Theatre offers something for everyone. From outdoor benches to granite patio pavers to theatre seats, there are many ways that individuals and businesses can honor their family by naming a part of the new facility at Thompson’s Point. While many generous donors have named galleries, exhibits, and classrooms already, there are unique opportunities available for every family to see themselves in our future home.

Please see www.kitetails.org/imagine