Our History

Madison Children’s Museum is the oldest children’s museum in Wisconsin. Founded in 1980 by early childhood specialists and originally incorporated as “Wisconsin Children’s Center,” MCM opened its first brick and mortar museum site in 1985 on West Washington Ave and Bedford Street. In the early years, volunteers oversaw traveling exhibits and its temporary home at the Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, followed by a move to 100 State Street in 1991.

Expansion began again in 2005 when MCM acquired a $5 million, five-story building through the generosity of W. Jerome Frautschi. Renovation joined innovation with a $10 million capital campaign highlighting recycled materials, local builders, and a rooftop garden. Through these efforts, MCM has become a national leader in museum practices.

Our current Hamilton Street facility opened its doors in August 2010, serving a bigger audience in a learning playground emphasizing art, science, history, culture, health, and civic engagement.

Madison Children’s Museum Facts

• Each year we host around 200,000 visitors, 300 school groups, and more than 800 education programs.
• MCM has more than 50 full- and part-time employees, and more than 500 volunteers and interns who give more than 16,400 hours annually.
• We have more than 6,000 member families.
• Our rooftop garden produces 1,400 eggs and 300 varieties of veggies and herbs each year.
• In 2014, MCM achieved LEED Gold Certification for an existing building. MCM is the first LEED-certified museum in Wisconsin. To learn more about our green initiatives, read our Green Guide.
• We use local materials, builders and craftspeople as often as possible.
• Our Hamilton Street location was built with an investment of $16.5 million. We operate on an annual budget of around $3 million.
• Our facility can host up to 3,200 visitors, and up to 700 for an event. It has five floors, including a four-season rooftop and office space, and has 79,000 square feet with 36,000 used for public space and 13,775 reserved for future expansion.
• Our record-high attendance in one day is 3,200 visitors.
• Built in 1929, our 100 N. Hamilton St. building was originally a Montgomery Ward department store.
• While the museum was founded in 1980, our current location opened in August, 2010. It was brought to life with the work of J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, WI, and The Kubala Washatko Architects Inc., Cedarburg, WI.