The Westchester Children’s Museum is proud to announce a new initiative to bring its dynamic, hands-on educational programming to the “River North” communities of Westchester. In partnership with local parents and the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the Museum is launching pop-up events that make STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities more accessible for families facing challenges related to transportation, language, or financial limitations. This effort underscores the Museum’s mission to ensure that every child in the County will get the benefits of learning through play—regardless of zip code.
River North Programs of the Westchester Children’s Museum are free to the public and will be offered at schools, libraries, community centers, and community fairs across the communities along the Hudson River region of Westchester beginning summer 2025 (a full schedule of programs – list in formation – is available at www.discoverwcm.org/river-north-programs) The programs are made possible through generous funding from the Westchester County Executive and Westchester County Board of Legislators and was initiated by Westchester County Legislators Emiljana Ulaj, Colin Smith, and Catherine Parker. Westchester County's support makes it possible for the Museum to expand its programming and exhibits to northern Westchester communities along the Hudson River region. A committee of parents in Northern Westchester is working in partnership with the Museum to ensure that families in the River North communities have the same access to children’s museum experiences as those who live closer to the Museum. Programs range from STEAM Fairytale Workshop at the Katonah Library, Art to Animation Workshop at the Somers Library, tabletop interactive activities at Family STEAM Fair at Lasdon Park, and Kids Chemistry at Hendrick Hudson Free Library in Montrose.
Westchester County Legislator Emiljana Ulaj (District 9, Ossining & Cortlandt) said: "Young families in my district struggled to find recreational outlets for their kids, especially on a rainy day when they can't just go to the park. That's why we teamed up with the Westchester Children's Museum, bringing their incredible, stimulating programs directly to our community. This is government at its best: partnering to
create opportunities young families need to thrive. A huge thank you to the dedicated WCM staff, parent advocates, and our community hosts for making this happen. My hope is that this is just the beginning of River North programming and WCM's partnership with our region with an eye toward a permanent home."
Westchester County Legislator Catherine F. Parker (District 7, Rye, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, and parts of New Rochelle and Harrison) “Living as close as I do to the Westchester Children’s Museum, I have had many opportunities to see children delighted by the fun (and sneakily educational) hands on STEM and STEAM exhibits. Understanding that transportation and access can be a barrier to coming down to our beautiful museum on Playland’s boardwalk, I was happy to partner with my northern Westchester colleagues to bring WCM to those that live not quite so near.
Westchester County Legislator Colin Smith (District 1, Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown) As a lifelong Westchester County resident, born and raised in Peekskill, I am very excited about the opportunities for enrichment that this partnership offers. Barriers such as transportation and language may prevent residents in my District from having access to the learning that the Westchester Children’s Museum provides. In bringing the Museum programs directly to the families, in the locations that are familiar and accessible, we are ensuring that children in this northernmost part of the County are getting the same opportunities as other children to become lifelong learners.
Westchester Children’s Museum Interim Executive Director Suzanne LeBlanc “The Westchester Children’s Museum is dedicated to providing a welcoming, vibrant space where children and families—whether visiting with schools or caregivers—can play, learn, and make new discoveries. We recognize that there are many barriers that could prevent families from visiting the Museum, including financial challenges, transportation, language differences, and even a lack of awareness about the value of a children’s museum experience. This partnership with parents in the River North communities is a powerful example of collaboration and creative problem-solving and with the support of Westchester County, we’re proud to bring our educators and programming directly to families in these underserved areas.”
Melissa Burstell, Parent, Cortlandt Manor, River North Committee "We're so excited about the STEAM pop-up programs in our community, made possible by the Children's Museum and our local legislators! They're a fantastic opportunity for kids and families to play, learn, and connect. We are so excited to see more programming like this in our neighborhoods."
About the Westchester Children's Museum
The Westchester Children’s Museum is a vibrant, interactive learning space providing children, families, and school groups the opportunity to nurture curiosity, enhance knowledge and ignite imagination through creative hands-on exploration. The Museum is committed to broadening knowledge of arts and sciences in a playful learning environment. The Museum is located on the Playland Beach Boardwalk in the historic landmark North Bathhouse.
The Westchester Children’s Museum is actively working on enhancing and increasing its impact on the cultural and educational landscape in the region and in the last two years, has grown to more than thirty full and part time employees, over 100,000 annual visitors - up from 25,000 in 2022 – and over 2,000 members including 20% in the category of financial assistance members. In the last six months, the Museum has opened a major new gallery – the Physics Lab at the Fierstein Family Gallery; conducted its first series of On the Boardwalk programming in partnership with the County of Westchester; entered an agreement with The Nicholas Center to open an exhibit of original art created by its participants who are adults with autism; updated and refreshed its beloved Toddler Beach while also putting out an RFP to create a new Early Childhood Exhibit and Play space; and collaborated with the County of Westchester, BOL, CCCNY and WLS to launch the County-wide initiative Disconnect to Reconnect. Additionally, the Museum is steadily building its relationship with area schools conducting programs both off site in their classrooms and on site in the Museum. In March 2025 alone, the Museum welcomed over 900 students on field trips compared with 975 in all of 2024.
