Buffalo is no longer the only city its size without a children’s museum as we prepare to open our doors at Canalside. The all-new 43,000 square foot museum spans four floors of fun with exhibits for and about Western New York. The exhibits tell the story of Buffalo’s history, community, sports, industry, innovation, architecture and agriculture – all through the lens of PLAY!!
The $29 million Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’ s Museum is expected to bring 250,000 new visitors annually to Buffalo’s waterfront. Our building was officially dedicated in gratitude to all of the public, private and corporate entities and individuals who helped bring this community vision to life.
Mary Wilson, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Chris Jacobs, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Mayor Byron Brown, Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples and Assemblyman Sean Ryan were all on hand to help dedicate the building in honor and memory of the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Mary Wilson said her husband would be proud, “Ralph would have loved being here today with his name on a museum that will bring joy and fun to a community that he loved so dearly. That is how he lived his life.” The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation selected Explore & More as a recipient of $6 million in matching grant funds.
Explore & More tells the Story of Buffalo and Western New York through seven educational play zones. The museum has a wide range of fun and educational programming offered daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and seasonally, as well as on school holidays & breaks with something new and fun happening every day in the museum. Topics can include a wide range of subjects including STEM activities, art, music, culture, cooking and learning more about ourselves, our health, and our region. We will also offer free programming outside at Canalside every Friday during the summer.
Explore & More is invested in creating a museum that delights children of all abilities. We have developed visual, social, communicative, sensory, and behavioral supports throughout the museum – from quiet kits and call-ahead accommodations, to sensory friendly spaces, social narratives, visual schedules, visual/sensory maps, special needs changing table and more.
Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum hopes to help all children play into their potential during each and every visit.
We can’t wait to play!
