NYC Breaks Ground on $15 Million Renovation for Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced the start of a project to rebuild the Brooklyn Children’s Museum retaining walls and to renovate and modernize the organization’s courtyard and terraces. The project addresses critical infrastructure needs while setting the groundwork for enhancing the Museum’s outdoor spaces, ultimately creating 20,000 square feet of accessible, outdoor, programmable space for young people and their families from across Brooklyn and all five boroughs. It’s being supported by more than $15 million in city funds from the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and the Brooklyn Borough President’s office. DDC is managing the project for DCLA.

“The Brooklyn Children’s Museum was the first children’s museum in the United States, and we’re proud of the long-term public-private partnership between the city and the museum that has created this incredible resource for young New Yorkers and their families,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “I’m so proud of the City’s significant investment in this project to re-open 20,000 square feet of accessible outdoor space for programming and enjoyment of all. A city with extraordinary cultural assets that are open to all residents is a safer, healthier, more vibrant city. Together, we can make sure the legacy and mission of BCM continues to serve New Yorkers for generations to come.”

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum was founded in 1899 in Crown Heights as the world’s first children’s museum. The facility serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. It is a member of the city’s Cultural Institutions Group, 34 cultural organizations on city-owned property, and receive significant capital and operating support from the city to help meet basic security, maintenance, administration, and energy costs. In return for this support, these institutions operate as publicly-owned facilities whose mandate is to provide cultural services accessible to all New Yorkers.

The renovation project will reconstruct the facility’s courtyard retaining wall system, a critical piece of infrastructure that supports both the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the adjacent Brower Park. The existing retaining wall system, which was built in the 1970s, had exceeded its useful life, preventing a significant portion of the museum’s footprint in Brower Park from being utilized for public programming and was in dire need of replacement. The retaining wall system will be rebuilt to restore access to a newly redesigned and modernized courtyard, terrace, and surrounding outdoor space. The project will create dedicated outdoor areas and space for programming and exhibits, gather and activity spaces.

The project will add garden resting areas, climbing paths, group meeting spots, and a wash station. The new outdoor spaces will encompass 20,000 square feet and will be filled with greenery, including 20 plant species, 41 trees, and more than 800 shrubs. The project also includes new landscape irrigation, drainage, storm water management, and outdoor lighting for evening events and security.

Work is expected to be completed by winter 2025.

“The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is a truly unique and wonderful cultural institution located right in the heart of central Brooklyn,” said New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “I’m excited for these upgrades that will mean additional programming and better amenities. Can’t wait to bring my kids when it’s all done!”