Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore unveils $17.5M expansion plan to celebrate 25th anniversary

In honor of its 25th anniversary, Port Discovery Children’s Museum unveiled on Thursday a five-year, $17.5 million master plan to update the downtown Baltimore museum.

The master plan includes the addition of a local food market and teaching kitchen for interactive culinary activities; a multi-story, climbable sky garden in the museum’s atrium; and a space-themed exhibit with a rover-building station, according to a news release.

“The master plan is not just an expansion; it’s a reimagining of how we engage young minds,” Dennis Rasmussen, Port Discovery board chairman, said in the release. “It’s about creating spaces that foster curiosity, collaboration, and real-world learning.”

Port Discovery also plans to build on its Fathers at Play and Parents at Play initiatives with the introduction of the At Play Learning Institute.

The institute will provide trainings, workshops, lectures, seminars and service hours geared toward the early education workforce. Early childhood degree and certificate students will be able to participate in an internship and practicum site.

“The At Play Early Learning Institute positions Port Discovery as a vital community resource, strengthening our partnerships with higher learning institutions while supporting daycare providers and those who provide homeschool experiences offering an enriching environment that complements their efforts in early childhood development,” Rasmussen said.

In addition, the museum has educational weekends, outreach campaigns and special events — such as the annual fundraising gala in April and the free Community Birthday Bash in June — on the horizon.

“By valuing the voices of children in our decision-making, we ensure our museum remains a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging space for all families,” Port Discovery President and CEO Carter Arnot Polakoff said in the release.

Port Discovery was founded Dec. 29, 1998, and was “expected to help solidify the city’s status as a family destination and give both leisure and convention travelers another reason to extend their stay,” The Baltimore Sun reported at the time. The museum’s opening day had 2,527 paid visitors.

Since then, the children’s museum has had over 5 million people visit.