National Children’s Museum Launches New “Stories” Initiative

The institution seeks video, audio, and written accounts from the Museum’s 50-year history

WASHINGTON — National Children’s Museum announces the launch of The Stories Project, a crowdsourcing campaign intended to expand the Museum’s digital archives with first-hand accounts from those impacted by the institution. A community-based initiative at the core of the Museum’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, The Stories Project invites contributions from anyone with memories and recollections related to the Museum since its founding in 1974. Hearing from employees and visitors past and present as well as stakeholders and community partners tied to the institution’s development, the Museum hopes to collect varied perspectives that help commemorate a unique DC story.

We want to tell the rich history of National Children’s Museum through the actual voices of those that have made it so special,” said Meredith Hamme, interim CEO and Vice President of External Affairs for National Children’s Museum. “Whether it’s your own childhood story from our early days as Capital Children’s Museum on H Street or a fond memory just made with your little one at our current home on Pennsylvania Avenue, it’s a moment worth remembering. Not only do these accounts preserve our past, but they will help us shape our future and the work we do for the next generation of Dreamers.

National Children’s Museum is collecting submissions via the web-based tool VideoAsk. Contributions may be made in one of three ways: video, audio, or text. The Stories Project VideoAsk page is found at the following link: www.videoask.com/f1v7sgsh6.

This online component of The Stories Project parallels an in-person experience set to open at National Children’s Museum later this summer. The installation showcases key moments from the Museum’s history through archival photography and video footage while connecting core mission principles to today’s Museum experiences rooted in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). This in-person experience will be included in the cost of Museum admission. Tickets to the Museum are $18.95 for adults and children 1 and older and are free for children under 1 and Museum members.

Located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW off the Woodrow Wilson Plaza, National Children’s Museum is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm every day except Tuesdays.

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About National Children’s Museum
Celebrating five decades of play in 2024, STEAM adventure awaits at National Children’s Museum, located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. With a mission to inspire children to care about and change the world, the Museum sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children under the age of twelve and their families. Through playful science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) based exhibits, programs and virtual offerings, the Museum reaches millions of people each year. Learn more and plan your visit at nationalchildrensmuseum.org.