The Children’s Museum of Cleveland (CMC) was first established in 1981 by a coalition of parents, educators and civic leaders to provide outreach educational programs and activities to elementary school classrooms. Over the past 36 years, the Museum has evolved from merely providing outreach programs and one traveling exhibit, to being known as the only cultural and educational resource completely dedicated to early childhood in the Cleveland area, welcoming nearly 200,000 visitors annually.

In 1986, the CMC opened as a children’s museum when it moved to its former facility on Euclid Avenue in the city’s University Circle cultural center. Since 1986, young children have benefited from the intimacy and uniqueness of their own building so they could freely explore, touch and learn about the world in which they live.

In December 2014, the Museum purchased the historic Stager-Beckwith mansion in the Midtown neighborhood of Cleveland for its first permanent home in its history. Due to its lease not being renewed at its University Circle location, the Museum closed that facility on January 3, 2016, and began to serve the community through a dynamic series of programs held throughout the community, while a new museum and all-new exhibits were developed in Midtown.

In Fall 2017, the Museum opened its doors and introduced this spectacular new home to the children and families of Northeast Ohio.