A few highlights

1979 - Energetic parents and educators found the Seattle Children's Museum as a non-profit organization.

1981 - The first exhibit, A Children's Place, which focuses on Chinese culture, opens in January at the Wing Luke Museum.

In June, the first Museum facility opens in a history Pioneer Square storefront.  Almost immediately, the museum debuts Mini City, a traveling exhibit featuring familiar neighborhood sites.

1985 - TCM moves in October to a new exhibit center in the lower level of the Center House at Seattle enter.  The new space features exciting exhibits such as The Neighborhood and Playstage Theatre.

1989 - The Museum expands, adding Imagination Station, the Activity Annex and a larger museum shop.

1995 - TCM grows from 12,000 to 32,000 square feet in a $4.15 million expansion.  The extra space includes more exhibit galleries, a storytelling circle, resource center for teachers, retail shop, workshop space and office space.

1996 - Kenneth and Marleen Alhadeff become named donors of the exhibit center in March and the Museum opens a temporary exhibit gallery space.

1997 - 1999 - TCM launches a number of partnership exhibits ranging from the Performance Studio to the Experimental Gallery at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center.

2004 - The Museum partners with The Minnesota Children's Museum to develop Jump to Japan: Discovering Culture Through Popular Art.

2005 - Discovery Bay is re-opened, growing from 700 square feet to 2200 square feet of space for children birth through 3 years of age.  Cog City is newly renovated and opened in December.

2006 - TCM hosts two traveling exhibits -  Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog.  Dunn Lumber Construction Zone is opened in April and The Family Connection Series is launched for parents with children ages 1- 5 years old.

2007 - The traveling exhibit, Bob the Builder Project: Build It makes its debut at TCM and the Museum also hosts the 6,000 square foot exhibit Moneysville.  During this year, the Storytelling circle and 3 birthday party rooms were also renovated.

2008 - The Museum hosts Curious George and opens the newly renovated Metropolitan Market Grocery Store.

2009 - TCM welcomes Sesame Street presents: The Body as it's fall traveling exhibit, one of the Museum's largest traveling exhibits.  In addition, updates to existing exhibits begin as part of a Museum wide rejuvenation program.