Community Celebrates Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening on Thursday, June 24th

The guests listened to speakers outside in the Gather area by the main entrance.

Barbee Gilman, Campaign Chair, reflected on the highlights of the capital campaign.

Under skies as sunny as the mood, a red ribbon was finally cut on Thursday, June 24th,  marking the official opening of the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine at its new location on Thompson’s Point. 

With over a hundred in attendance, the community came together to celebrate the opening and delight in all the hard work and valued contributions that made the new building possible. The crowd of community partners, donors, government officials, construction partners and members of the media, was welcomed by President of the Board Kristin Valdmanis, Campaign Chair and Board Member Barbee Gilman, Governor Janet T. Mills, and Executive Director Julie Butcher Pezzino. 

Executive Director Julie Butcher Pezzino spoke to guests, as well as Barbee Gilman, Kristin Valdmanis, and Governor Janet Mills.

Kristin Valdmanis set the tone for the celebration, saying “We built this amazing Museum & Theatre to be a place where everyone belongs. We work hard to remove as many barriers as possible for those who want to visit and we try to make everyone feel valued and comfortable here.” These words reflect not only the mission of the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, but also the physical exhibits themselves, which have been built to meet or exceed accessibility standards and guidelines to uphold our philosophy that every family deserves a safe place to play and learn in our community.  

Featured speaker Governor Mills attended with her family. She spoke about CMTM as an asset to Maine’s children, one that invited her to become a kid herself again, exploring the exhibits with her grandchildren. “I enjoyed exploring the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine’s interactive exhibits with my granddaughters today as I know countless other people of all ages will do with their families in years to come,” said Governor Mills. “The Museum is another meaningful addition to Maine’s many art attractions that contribute to the growth and education of Maine children and draw visitors from around the world. I congratulate the community of people who made today possible and I thank them for their investment in the children of Maine.” 

Governor Mills, Corson, Butcher Pezzino, Gilman, and Valdmanis cut the ribbon with giant gold scissors.

Barbee Gilman reflected on some of the highlights of the capital campaign. The campaign succeeded with contributions from over 500 donors at all levels, each one stretching and inspiring the next to reach 15 million dollars. “[The donors] found ways to contribute, in some cases more than once, so that we could make this dream a reality. They took the time to hear our story and, too, recognized that this initiative is about so much more than a building. It is about all that happens inside. They understood that this was a big vision for Maine, one that would benefit future generations of children from all walks of life,” said Gilman. 

Maine state Representative Sam Zager (District 41) and Portland City Councilor-At-Large Pious Ali pose in the Amtrak Downeaster Train in Our Neighborhood.

Lastly, Executive Director Julie Butcher Pezzino took the stage. “So what can you expect from us?” she asked the crowd. “The areas where we have always been strong will remain so, including Our Neighborhood which is designed for the healthy development of infants and young children...There are other areas where we are ageing up and taking our programming to a whole new level. The IDEXX STEM Learning Hub embodies our science education initiatives. Programs in Maddy’s Theatre and the Lunder Arts and Culture Gallery provide innovative exposure to the arts and opportunities for parents and caregivers to talk about and engage in the subjects of culture, diversity, identity, community and social justice. The Museum & Theatre can only be a truly welcoming and safe place if our exhibits and programming reflect ALL of our community.”

After the moving and celebratory speeches, attention shifted to the doorway. Children blew a cloud of bubbles into the air above the red ribbon stanchion. Five pairs of giant gold scissors were handed out to Butcher Pezzino, Governor Mills, Valdmanis, Gilman, and Maddy Corson (who dedicated Maddy’s Theatre just days prior, in honor of her mother). With a chorus of “One! Two! Three!” giant scissors sent the ribbon to the ground. The Children’s Museum & Theatre was officially open! 

Eager guests moved to the doors and previous museum executive director Suzanne Olson, and members of the leadership team including Jim Marcisso, Chris Dougherty, and Chris Sullivan, held the doors open wide. The crowd poured in, finally glimpsing and experiencing the interior of the museum and theatre. Guests were welcomed to stay and explore the three floors of the new building, which they had played such a crucial role in making possible. 

Governor Mills plays with her granddaughters and other guests in the Portland Fire Truck in Our Neighborhood.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) reflected on the celebration, saying “After a long year of staying home to keep our communities and loved ones safe during the pandemic, I’m thrilled to see the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine reopen to the public in its beautiful new space. The new facility at Thompson’s Point will engage generations of children in learning and play. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to advocate for the federal Brownfields funding that was integral to the cleanup of Thompson’s Point and the completion of the new museum and theatre. Thanks to the team at the Museum & Theatre for their work to create a positive, joyful space for our kids.” We thank Congresswoman Pingree for her advocacy and kind words! 

Just a couple hours later, the first play session opened to reserved ticket holders, marking the first time the Museum & Theatre has been open in fifteen months. Staff were thrilled to experience the exhibits full of children and families. The design of each exhibit - from Climb to Ramp Up - came alive with children filling the spaces, finally fulfilling the intended purpose of sparking play, imagination and discovery. 

On Friday and Saturday, morning and afternoon play sessions were full. Maddy’s Theatre also sold out its premiere show of Balloonacy, the Theatre’s Inaugural Summer Season production. The one person mime performance about companionship and imagination sparked rave reviews from adults and children alike.

The staff of the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is beyond excited to have finally opened the doors and look forwards to welcoming you soon at a play session or Maddy’s Theatre show.