Last week, the Port Discovery Children’s Museum unveiled Playing Today, Leading Tomorrow, a $10.5 million capital campaign to bring transformational new exhibits, expanded programming, and museum updates to the children and families of Baltimore and Maryland.

The Playing Today, Leading Tomorrow Capital Campaign, co-chaired by Doug Becker, founder and chairman, laureate education, and John Shmerler, CEO and president, Radcliffe Jewelers, will bring to the Museum new state-of-the-art exhibits based on the latest in educational research. The new exhibits will become the dynamic new centerpiece of Port Discovery, bringing the children and families of Baltimore and beyond exciting new opportunities for play-based learning that will fuel imaginations for generations to come.

New Exhibits

  • A new Port Exhibit, featuring an interactive ship where children can role-play as the ship’s captain, engineer, sailors, and navigators, explore the seas, discover how products come here from around the world, and learn math, science, social, and problem solving skills.
  • A new SkyClimber Exhibit (to replace the current KidWorks exhibit) will encourage children to get active, use problem-solving skills, and take risks in a safe environment.

The SkyClimber and Port Exhibit are anticipated to open at Port Discovery in 2019.

Additional new exhibits and amenities will be introduced to Port Discovery over the next several years. Future exhibits and improvements include:

  • New Space, Art and Nature Exhibits (planned for construction beginning in 2020).
  • A State-of-the-Art Lobby
  • Upgraded Bathrooms
  • New Family Seating Areas
  • New Nursing Areas

The Capital Campaign launch comes as the Museum kicks off celebrations honoring their 20th year of providing powerful, purposeful play to the children and families of Maryland, and is the first wave of fundraising for upgrades at the Museum’s Inner Harbor location. Of the $10.5 million campaign funds needed to complete the first wave of the project, $7.5 Million has been raised to date, including support from the State of Maryland. The museum is now turning to the community for help making this vision come to life. Community members can find more information about planned exhibits, stay up-to-date on construction schedules, and contribute towards improvements at Port Discovery by visiting the Port Discovery Campaign page.