As we celebrate 40 years of imagination, exploration, and hands-on learning, we’re taking a moment to look back at the moments that made the Santa Fe Children’s Museum what it is today. From big milestones to little memories, each year has added its own spark of joy, curiosity, and community connection. Enjoy 40 fun facts that highlight the people, stories, and get a playful insight to all that has shaped the Museum over the past four decades—and set the stage for many more years of discovery to come!
The buildings on Old Pecos Trail were built in the late 1930s to train National Guard units. This location served as New Mexico’s induction center during World War II. In 1949, 1050 Old Pecos Trail was called La Armeria de Santa Fe Military Facilities.
The Founders of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum were Susan McIntosh, Ellen Biderman, Ellyn Feldman, and Londi Carbajal. These women were local educators and mothers who perceived a need for learning opportunities in the community that would be distinctly different from those provided in school or home settings.
For the first few years of operation, the Children’s Museum operated without walls, and had exhibits at Jackalope, DeVargas Mall, and other locations.
To open the Santa Fe Children’s Museum, the community needed to raise $326,000. The Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting was held on February 12th, 1989.
The fundraising goal was surpassed, and $400,000 was donated through fundraising events, businesses, and personal donors.
The Santa Fe Children’s Museum was the 1st children’s museum in the state of New Mexico.
A production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Greer Garson Theater at the College of Santa Fe campus was an initial fundraiser to benefit the purchase of the physical location of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum.
Architect Jeff Harnar, famous for designing Santa Fe’s iconic Jean Cocteau Cinema, was selected to turn the property into an interactive play space.
There were 100+ volunteers to support the museum in its early years.
There was a 20-person on an exhibit committee to conceptualize the first exhibits of the museum.
Upon opening, the Museum had 4 paid staff members and 14 Board of Director members.
In July of 2025 the Life Center Foundation donated $100,000 to create a Discovery Garden full of new vegetable beds, a greenhouse, and more. This space includes a brand-new horno- traditional adobe oven—made possible by The Fidel L. Gutierrez Lifetime Fund– and has been used to make pizzas, cookies, and New Mexico’s State Cookie: biscochitos.
In late September in the ’90s, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum would host a fall festival with cooking classes in the Earthworks Garden. In Summer of 2024 The Backyard officially opened with a Member Preview and Backyard Bash to welcome the public!
Upon opening, the outdoor space, Earthworks Garden, an “earthworks program” was created that welcomed guests to experience outside, including digging through a worm bin. To this day, the worm bin is a popular exhibit for children and adults alike, and a part of our Seeds & Sprouts Thursday morning weekly programming.
Thanks to generous donations, community pledges, galas, and auctions, the Museum and its Board raised $800,000 in 2017—making it possible to reopen after the 2016 closure.
The People on the Go train exhibit and water flow exhibits joined the floor as new interactive experiences for guests upon reopening.
In 2020, when the Museum temporarily closed, “Museum from Home” brought STEAM learning and creativity to children’s classrooms and homes with projects, how-to videos , creative exercises, simple at-home games, online resources, virtual story times, and more. Thanks to supporters like you, during that time 10,000+ students were able to experience “virtual field trips.”
14,500+ Grab-and-Go Activity Kits reached families across New Mexico between 2020 & 2021—from Santa Fe to Shiprock—keeping kids curious and inspired.
While the indoors were to remain closed, under New Mexico state mandates, our acre-plus outdoor space was opened for play with reservations, using an online booking system.
During New Mexico’s stay-at-home orders, the inaugural Move for the Museum challenge inspired children and families to stay active for 35 days —while raising vital funds to support the Museum and celebrate its 35th anniversary.
On August 18, 2021, thanks to the dedication of staff and volunteers who crafted a 46-page Master Reopening Plan based on CDC and State mandates, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum proudly welcomed visitors back with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce.
The Museum used to have a “Homing Pigeon Program” where guests would write messages for the birds and then take part in a pigeon release. Other exotic birds (i.e., parrots, doves, and a Museum Macaw). would reside in the on-site aviary.
The Children’s Museum used to have a16-foot-tall interactive climbing feature that let kids climb and explore in a safe, supervised setting.
The Museum currently has 3 resident animals: Fafnir (acquired in 2020), whose name means “dragon” in Norse mythology, and was voted on by a public survey; Bisquick (pancake tortoise) is 8 years old. The oldest animal that the Museum has is Cornelius, a cornsnake whose birthday is June 29th, 2014.
When for-profit Playbox Discovery Center closed in Albuquerque, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum obtained the new Veterinary Clinic, Firehouse, and Supermarket exhibits, thanks to the generosity of The Montoya Family.
From a wooden bin to the present-day metal circular tank, the Bubble exhibit has transformed its form, yet it is an original concept that has remained for 40 years – serving as one of the most historic and popular exhibits today.
During 2024’s 100th Anniversary celebrations of the Burning of Zozobra, the Museum hosted special Fine Art Fridays teaching the community about this cherished local tradition. In return, the Kiwanis Club donated a portion of their event proceeds to a grant that supported Museum field trips.
The Museum’s Van of Enchantment was made possible by a $250,000 donation from Rotary of Santa Fe, with support from Thornburg Investment Management. The Mobile Museum made its debut at the 2023 Move for the Museum 5K, an event dedicated to loyal Rotary Club of Santa Fe member and Museum Board volunteer, Michaelann Perea.
Santa Fe Public Library’s “Pajama Storytime” and Alzheimer’s Association’s “Alzheimer Cafe” are just a few of the partnerships that the Santa Fe Children’s Museum has established to ensure that everyone, no matter age, location, or background, can benefit from shared fellowship.
Communities in Schools is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life who, through collaboration with the Santa Fe Children’s Museum have been able to serve 40+ students though science-based Grab & Go Kits and Museum passes.
The Museum’s gift shop, summer camp, Fine Art Friday have all been recognized in The Santa Fe Reporter’s Best of Santa Fe Contest. 2025 marks the 4th year in a row that SFCM has won Best Nonprofit for Youth.
The Museum currently has 21 employees, 5 contracted consultants, and 10 members on its Board of Directors.
In September of 2025 upgrades were made to the Museum that included: repaired 150 ft of historic plumbing, new flooring and drainage system for water flow exhibit,, parking lot upgrades, and new safety flooring installed in our Backyard Rubix Cube.
The Museum now has 3 main annual fundraising events: Move for the Museum 5K, Weird Science Halloween Bash, and Noon Year’s Eve Celebration.
Lineberry Foundation granted the Santa Fe Children’s Museum $100,000 for a 40th year anniversary.
The Museum floor has a full-functioning photo booth.
Sculpture Park outside of the Administrative offices was gifted (and delivered via crane) a 1,400 lb bronze “Rearing Elephant”, made by Dan Ostermiller in spring of 2025.
The large blue horse artwork at the front entrance of the Museum is a product of D. Copher Gallery and smaller replicas can be found outside of the Hilton Santa Fe.
The Museum has an authentic Hatch chile garden so in its grounds all in & out-of-state guests can enjoy the taste of New Mexico during their visit!
