Exhibit Feature Friday: Our Neighborhood: Wellness and Safety

Exhibit Feature Friday

At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), we use the word exhibit to describe the interactive experiences, spaces and displays spread across three floors and immediately outside the facility at 250 Thompson’s Point Road. CMTM is home to over 15 exhibits, each designed to encourage experiential learning through open-ended play. 

Our team at CMTM decided to give each exhibit the spotlight it deserves and is dedicating Fridays to highlighting a new exhibit, diving a little deeper into the WHY and HOW behind each playful space and experience. 

EXHIBIT: Our Neighborhood, Wellness, and Safety 

Location: 2nd Floor

Our Neighborhood is an exhibit designed to reflect Portland’s urban port city and surrounding area. It is an open-ended play space featuring multiple activity zones where children and their families can roleplay, tell stories, and make-believe together. Today’s Exhibit Feature focuses on the themes of Wellness and Safety, while future features will highlight Transportation, and the Working Waterfront.

Our Neighborhood invites children to take charge of the world that grown-ups usually control. By taking on the roles of community “experts,” children can develop confidence and empathy while engaging in imaginative play. 

Wellness and Safety

As Mr. Rogers once said, “Look for the helpers!” The Wellness and Safety areas of the Our Neighborhood exhibit include a fire truck and a Bear Care Center. These areas remind visitors of the critical role that first responders play in our community while encouraging children to imagine themselves within these important roles.

Fire Truck

Make way for Portland Engine Number 4! In the fire truck, made possible by a generous gift from Libra Foundation, visitors can don a turnout coat and helmet, slide down a fire pole, blast the horn, and save the day! The fire truck was designed to sit high off the ground, simulating the experience of driving a real fire engine. 

Bear Care Center

At the Bear Care Center, generously sponsored by Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital / Maine Health, children take on a caregiver role by providing medical attention to stuffed animals. A variety of toy tools, including x-ray machines, eye and height charts, stethoscopes, and bandages, allow visitors to diagnose and treat their patients while practicing compassion for those who are ill.

The Bear Care Center is the perfect place to learn the importance of health while getting familiar and comfortable with being in a doctor’s office! 

Murals by Patrick Corrigan

The Our Neighborhood exhibit features dozens of delightful murals by Portland artist Patrick Corrigan, made possible by a generous gift from AlGar Foundation. His dynamic imagery and rich color palettes are reminiscent of children’s books, making the entire exhibit feel like you’ve walked into a living story.

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Fire Truck made possible by a generous gift from Libra Foundation.

Bear Care Center made possible by a generous gift from Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital / Maine Health.

Patrick Corrigan Murals made possible by a generous gift from AlGar Foundation.


Learn more about the Our Neighborhood Exhibit here: https://www.kitetails.org/exhibit-our-neighborhood

Coming Up Next:

Tune in next Friday for Our Neighborhood: Transportation!