Gilbert House Children's Museum

Gilbert House Children's Museum Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Gilbert House Children's Museum, Children's Museum, 116 Marion Street NE, Salem, OR.

Inspiring children to learn through creative play in Salem! ✨
📍 116 Marion St NE ⏰ Mon–Sun, 10am–5pm
🔗 http://www.acgilbert.org/
Homeschool Adventures: www.acgilbert.org/homeschool-adventures
Membership:https://www.acgilbert.org/membership

🚂 ✨ Do you hear that whistle? ✨In the stillness of December, when the world sparkles with possibility, a train arrives a...
09/06/2026

🚂 ✨ Do you hear that whistle? ✨

In the stillness of December, when the world sparkles with possibility, a train arrives at the station. Not just any train—The Polar Express—pulling into Willamette Heritage Center on the evening of December 5th.

This is your ticket to something magical.

Step aboard for an unforgettable night of wonder and inspiration. The Spinning Room awaits—where belief blooms, magic is real, and the spirit of Christmas ignites the hearts of all who board.

6:00 – 9:00 PM
Willamette Heritage Center, Spinning Room

"Believe in the magic of learning."

All aboard for a journey you won't forget. 🎄🚂

Learn more and secure your ticket soon...

Grey skies outside, bright ideas inside! 🌧️grey day mood = cozy play vibes.When the PNW weather turns gloomy, our histor...
09/04/2026

Grey skies outside, bright ideas inside! 🌧️grey day mood = cozy play vibes.

When the PNW weather turns gloomy, our historic houses are the warmest, brightest spot in town to burn off that Friday energy!

Swap the chilly drizzle for hands-on discovery across every floor—tinker in the Engineering Studio, build in Fortopia, or create a master building with big blue blocks in Grandma’s Clubhouse while the rain comes down outside.

And because no rainy Friday is complete without a treat, grab a hot latte or cocoa from Playgrounds Cafe to sip while the kids explore. Wet weather on the outside, warm memories on the inside.

Drop in today and make grey days your favorite days to play!

Rainy days = whole new ways to play! 🌧️Fall has officially arrived in Salem, and with it comes a fresh season of hands-o...
09/04/2026

Rainy days = whole new ways to play! 🌧️

Fall has officially arrived in Salem, and with it comes a fresh season of hands-on discovery! Rain brings whole new learning experiences—from wet-sand fossil digs and giant indoor bubble experiments to drive the bus in Salem Station!

When you're ready to dodge the rain, our warm historic houses offer cozy indoor play spaces across every floor to keep little minds active and dry. Treat plush pups at the Vet Clinic, build in Grandma’s Clubhouse, or unleash your imagination in the Creative Space!

Plus, when it’s time for a quick breather, warm up with a cozy drink or snack at Playgrounds Cafe to keep everyone fueled for another round of play. Warm coffee for you, endless cozy discovery for them!

Come escape the drizzle and make new memories with us this weekend!

Gather your little ghouls, goblins, and young inventors for a hair-raising morning of spooky tinkering, clever tricks, a...
09/02/2026

Gather your little ghouls, goblins, and young inventors for a hair-raising morning of spooky tinkering, clever tricks, and festive treats throughout our historic houses! 👻🧪✨

Beat the ghost of full-price tickets and creep on over to our Early Bird Sale (September 1st – 15th) to sn**ch up the best deal before it vanishes into thin air:

🎟️ Early Bird Treats (Sept 1 – Sept 15):

General Admission: $24 / person (admission included)

Museum Members: $6 / person

🌟 Bonus for Members: Skip the lines with exclusive early entry at 9:00 AM!

🦇 The Spooktacular Details:

When: Sunday, October 25, 2026

Hours: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (9:00 AM for Members!)

Don't let these savings haunt you later! Tap the link in our bio or fly on over to acgilbert.org/halloween-re-engineered to claim your tickets today! 🎃🕸️

There are moments when a community decides what it wants to carry forward—and we believe this is one of those moments fo...
08/31/2026

There are moments when a community decides what it wants to carry forward—and we believe this is one of those moments for Gilbert House. 💛

For nearly four decades, this place has grown because Salem chose to show up. People moved historic houses to the riverfront, rebuilt after a fire, and in 1998, 6,500 volunteers and 346 local businesses came together to build A.C.’s Backyard in just 19 days. From hauling timber and leveling beams to serving hot meals under the tent, everyone showed up for Salem’s kids. 🔨🥞

Now, we’re building the next group of people who will help carry it forward: The Builders Circle. ☕✨

Before we ask you to be a part of it, we want you to see what you’d be helping build. Join us for a Power Hour Breakfast Tour—one hour to hear the stories behind this place, see what’s happening today, and get a first look at where we’re headed next.

📅 Wednesday, September 23, 2026
🕗 8:00 – 9:00 AM
📍 Gilbert House Children's Museum

Give us one hour. Let us feed you, share the vision, and show you why we need people like you to help build what comes next.

💬 Comment or message us to reserve your seat at the table!

Calling all Gilbert House Members! 🎒✨Back-to-school season is officially here, and we’re celebrating WITH you! Drop by t...
08/29/2026

Calling all Gilbert House Members! 🎒✨

Back-to-school season is officially here, and we’re celebrating WITH you! Drop by the Wilson-Durbin House on Saturday, September 5th (10 AM–1 PM) for our exclusive Decorate & Celebrate event, complete with customized crafts and face painting! ✏️🎨

Mark your calendars—we can't wait to play, craft, and celebrate with you!

Supplies available for kids while supplies last!

Drop a ✏️ in the comments if we’ll see you there!

HELP US DECK THE HOUSES! 🎃👻✨We're gearing up to transform all three historic houses for Trick-or-Treat at the Museum: Ha...
08/28/2026

HELP US DECK THE HOUSES! 🎃👻✨

We're gearing up to transform all three historic houses for Trick-or-Treat at the Museum: Halloween Re-Engineered on October 25th—and we’re looking to add even more spooktacular magic to our collection!

Swipe through to see some of the fun setup we already have, from our pumpkin archways to our friendly skeletons and cauldrons. 🎃💀

Got Halloween decor you don’t use anymore?

If you have gently used, family-friendly Halloween items taking up space in your garage or attic, we would love to give them a second life here at the museum!

What we're looking for:
🎃 Inflatables & arches
👻 Ghosts, skeletons & witches
🕸️ Cobwebs, cauldrons & lawn decor
✨ Any kid-friendly Halloween magic!

How to donate:

Drop off your donations anytime during regular museum hours right at our welcome desk!

Every extra ghost and pumpkin helps make this event unforgettable for Salem's kids. Drop a comment below or send us a DM if you have questions!

Happy National Dog Day from our future veterinarians! 🐶🩺✨Whether they’re giving plush pups checkups, administering soft-...
08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day from our future veterinarians! 🐶🩺✨

Whether they’re giving plush pups checkups, administering soft-cone cures, or diagnosing with extra love, our little doctors take pet care very seriously! 🩺❤️

Swipe through to see our mini vet staff hard at work inside the Vet Clinic Exhibit—including our iconic dog-shaped exam table that has been bringing smiles to Salem kids almost since the museum first opened its doors! 🐾 historic-house magic at its finest.

Drop a photo of your real-life fur babies in the comments so our team can admire them today! 📸👇

SAVE THE DATE: Something wickedly inventive is coming! 🎃👻⚡Get ready, Salem—this year, Halloween is taking over inside th...
08/26/2026

SAVE THE DATE: Something wickedly inventive is coming! 🎃👻⚡

Get ready, Salem—this year, Halloween is taking over inside the museum AND our outdoor play area! 🏛️🕸️

We’re transforming the inside of our historic houses into a cozy, festive wonderland—and yes, the outdoor Erector Set maze will be getting a spooky makeover as part of the fun! Think trick-or-treating through the exhibits, festive surprises, and endless play everywhere you look. It’s going to be an absolutely spooktacular day for the whole family! 🍬✨

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026

🕘 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Exclusive Member Hour!

🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Special Ticketed Event

🧹 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Closed for event clean-up

🚪 2:00 PM: Reopening for regular museum admission

📍 Gilbert House Children's Museum

We’re putting the final touches on all the ghostly details, so stay tuned for more secrets coming soon! For now, mark those calendars and start dreaming up those costumes. 🎃🏰

They weren't contractors. They were your neighbors.A retired machinist. A mom on her day off. A teenager who'd never hel...
08/24/2026

They weren't contractors. They were your neighbors.

A retired machinist. A mom on her day off. A teenager who'd never held a drill. In May 1998, 6,500 Salem residents picked up tools and built A.C.'s Backyard in just 19 days.

That's the secret of this place: it has always run on people who show up.

On Wednesday, September 23, we're gathering the next group of people who show up—and we'd love you to be one of them. Come to The Power Hour Breakfast Tour and join our Builders Circle, the community that keeps Gilbert House standing for Salem's kids.

📅 Wednesday, September 23

🕗 8:00–9:00 AM

📍 Gilbert House Children's Museum (free admission)

Were you there in '98? Tag yourself below! 👇 Want a seat on the 23rd? Comment or message us. 💬

Grateful for the sponsors making this morning possible!
Dalke Construction
Anthem Strategists
Maps Credit Union (Maps Community Foundation)
Beyrouty Employee Benefits
Willamette Valley Wellness
The Charnhom Family

Address

116 Marion Street NE
Salem, OR
97301

Telephone

(503) 371-3631

Website

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