Ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 17, doors open Sept. 18

After two years of community collaboration, Franklin innovators and moms Erin Gallagher and Meg Hagen will finally be able to realize their dream, the Children’s Museum of Franklin. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the family-friendly regional venue at 157 Cottage Street in Franklin, will take place from 4-5 p.m. on September 17th, 2025, with the museum welcoming families the very next day, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Two days later, exactly two years to the day the 501 (c )3 nonprofit was founded, adults are invited to a birthday bash on the premises on September 19, 2025 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets ($100) will include a drink ticket, food, and live music by the Pub Kings. 

Hagen and Gallagher expressed “joyful anticipation” at “being able to welcome all of those families who have wrapped their arms around us to be able to open a museum for the community and by the community,” referring not only to financial contributions from the community, but to local experts who contributed their talents to create the inclusive space, from an advisory committee of child-centric professionals to the exhibit builders themselves. “Their talents have been so meaningful to this process, and they will be so valued by this community,” said Gallagher.

The museum boasts features like an Imaginative Play Downtown with a custom gazebo, a dinosaur exhibit, Miss Money’s Playroom, a Healthy Bodies area with a pumping heart, an 8-foot diameter Sensory Tree, a transportation area, a climbing structure with a step-down pit, nursing stations, a classroom makerspace and lab facilities. Exhibits are designed for children aged 0-10, with programming planned for elementary and middle-school aged children and leadership opportunities for older students.

The museum is expected to attract families and educators from up to an hour away, as the nonprofit’s mobile museum events have drawn folks from 180 different towns. “We’re really excited to be able to reach people on a daily basis and just offer so much more for families that come to visit us,” said Gallagher.

Although a spring opening was planned, an extra financial push was needed to finally open the doors. Hagen and Gallagher were thankful to Founding Families, corporations and organizations that came aboard. A Massachusetts Cultural Council for $145,000 also helped them complete the renovation of the space, formerly owned by Agway. “That absolutely was a game changer,” said Hagen. Although the pair is still working to fund its A-Mazing Ways wind exhibit and a water exhibit designed by Science Kinetics and Vanderbilt University, “engaging and fun temporary exhibits with STEM and learning tables” will temporarily fill those spaces. 

The two partners, who refer to their collective five children as “exhibit testers extraordinaire,” said their work together has deepened their friendship. “Our ability to maintain our friendship and to grow and work together throughout this process has been amazing,” says Hagen. 

“It just feels like such a milestone moment to be able to announce our opening,” added Gallagher. 

Admission to the museum, closed to the public Tuesday and Wednesdays to allow for school field trips, will be $14 per person, with discounted rates for WIC and EBT recipients and discounted passes available at local libraries. “We have also had someone step up to provide free passes for the Franklin Food Pantry and the SAFE Coalition,” said Hagen.

Prior to the public opening, the museum will hold a registration-only pre-play event for social media family/parenting life influencers on September 14th. In addition, a Scary Scurry 5K and Fun Run fundraiser is scheduled for October 19, 2025. 

For more information, visit 

http://childrensmuseumfranklin.org.