Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

What Children's Museum of Oak Ridge does

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge (CMOR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum founded in 1973 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, operating from a 54,000 sq ft historic Manhattan Project-era school building at 461 West Outer Drive. It delivers hands-on educational programming across arts, science, history, and healthy living to families with children, K–12 school groups, and community organizations across East Tennessee (Anderson County, Knox County, Knoxville region), serving more than 50,000 visitors annually through on-site visits and outreach. Core offerings include permanent exhibits such as the Kids Go Green! Environmental Center and Gardens, Kids in Action! healthy living exhibit, the historic Flattop House (relocated 2018), and the Alvin Weinberg Papers Archive Project (126 digitized boxes), supplemented by recurring programs — Toddlers' Playtime, Musical Mornings, Crafty Wednesday, After School Club, Girl Scouts badge programs, Imagination Station Summer Camp, and structured school field trips.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack. Earned income comes from tiered admissions ($5–$10), annual memberships ($65–$175 across five tiers including reciprocal ACM/ASTC benefits), birthday party packages ($170–$200), summer camps ($145–$260 per week), and facility rentals (gym $45/hour, classrooms $55–$185/day). Contributed income — grants and donations — is a critical pillar, including Tennessee Arts Commission Partnership Support and Arts Education Project Support, Institute of Museum and Library Services awards (e.g., $150,000 for Kids Go Green!), corporate sponsorship from CNS and ORAU, the annual gala, Kroger Community Rewards, and AmazonSmile. Memberships are managed through Little Green Light and camp registration through Google Forms, indicating light digital infrastructure.

The museum is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors (President Brian Arrington) with an 11-member advisory board, and led by Executive Director Beth Shea (since January 2016). The paid staff of ~11 covers education, development, visitor services, business management, and maintenance. The institution participates in national reciprocal networks (ACM, ASTC) and access programs (Blue Star Museums, Museums for All), positioning it as the only dedicated children's museum in the Knoxville-Oak Ridge region.

Name

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

Legal name

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

Website

https://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, delivering hands-on educational programming in arts, science, and history to families and K–12 school groups across East Tennessee and serving 50,000+ visitors annually from a 54,000 sq ft historic facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museums & Educational Cultural Centers

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes) (THAJAKAO), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH)

Keywords

• Children's museum
• Interactive educational exhibits
• Hands-on learning programs
• Summer camp programs
• Birthday party rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Ridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: Visitors pay admission fees to access museum exhibits. Pricing varies by age category, with discounted rates for seniors, veterans, military, and teachers. Children under 1 are free, and members enter free.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships provide free admission for covered individuals plus discounts on programs and museum store. Multiple tiers from Individual/Senior ($65) to Family Premier ($175). Memberships valid one year from purchase date.
3. Birthday Party Packages: Room rental for 2 hours including admission for up to 15 children and 20 adults. Members pay $170, non-members pay $200. Parents supply refreshments and decorations.
4. Summer Camps: Week-long camps for grades K-5 with half-day and full-day options. Members receive discounted rates. Additional $50 non-refundable registration fee per child.
5. Facility Rentals: Gym, classrooms, and other spaces available for hourly or daily rental. Gym $45/hour, Discovery Lab $55/day, other rooms $185/day. Additional fees for kitchen, sound system, tables/chairs.
6. Grants and Donations: Private nonprofit organization relying on donations, grants from Tennessee Arts Commission ($36,250 Partnership Support, $7,400 Arts Education Project), Institute of Museum and Library Services, and individual donors to supplement operating costs.
7. Gift Shop/Museum Store: Museum operates a store with 10% discount for members. AmazonSmile program generates 0.5% of eligible purchases donated to museum.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge operates a hands-on children's museum offering interactive educational exhibits and programs across arts, science, history, culture, and healthy living. Its portfolio includes summer camps, after-school programs, toddler playgroups, scout programs, school field trips, birthday party packages, and facility rentals, supported by a tiered annual membership program and a gift shop.

Product overview

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge operates as a single unified children's museum offering a diverse portfolio of interactive educational programs and exhibits. The core offerings include hands-on camp programs (Imagination Station Summer Camp), recurring activity programs (After School Club, Toddlers' Playtime, Musical Mornings, Crafty Wednesday), and special interest programs (Girl Scouts, School Field Trips). The museum also features permanent exhibits including Kids Go Green! Environmental Center and Gardens, Kids in Action! healthy living exhibit, the Alvin Weinberg Papers Archive, and the Flattop House historic exhibit. Additional revenue-generating services include Birthday Party Packages with themed room rentals, Facility Rentals, and a tiered Museum Membership Program. The museum serves over 50,000 visitors annually through museum visits and outreach programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Imagination Station Summer Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 50,000 visitors annually through museum and outreach visits
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConductor-level gala sponsor ($2,500). Corporate partner in Weinberg Papers Archive Project. ORAU partnered with museum on the Institute for Energy Analysis initiative.
• National Endowment for the Arts / Blue Star Families / Department of DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Star Museums partnership provides free admission to active-duty military and families Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards partner - shoppers can designate museum to receive 0.5% of eligible purchases.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in Weinberg Papers Project and broader Manhattan Project historical preservation efforts.
• Y-12 National Security ComplexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in Weinberg Papers Project supporting historical preservation of Manhattan Project era.
• AmazonSmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazonSmile program donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to museum when customers shop at smile.amazon.com.
• Let’s Move! Museums and GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMLS-led initiative in cooperation with White House Domestic Policy Council promoting children's health and exercise.
• Association of Children's Museums (ACM)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMuseum is a member of ACM, enabling Family Premier members to receive 50% off at 200+ reciprocal museums nationwide.
• Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMuseum is a member of ASTC Passport Program, enabling Family Premier members free admission at member museums outside 90-mile radius.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Tennessee Valley Museum of Art: Tuscumbia, Alabama-based regional art and cultural museum serving a similar community-museum niche. Comparable as a small nonprofit cultural institution with grant and donor dependence.
• Knoxville Museum of Art: General art museum in Knoxville serving the same East Tennessee catchment as CMOR. Comparable as a regional cultural attraction but not directly competing for the children's hands-on market.
• WonderWorks Pigeon Forge: Indoor amusement park with science-themed exhibits in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Comparable as a family destination in East Tennessee competing for entertainment and field-trip dollars.
• Adventure Science Center: Nashville-based science center with hands-on exhibits, school field trips, and STEM programming. Comparable in mission to drive family STEAM engagement in Tennessee, though broader than a children's museum.

Direct peers

• Creative Discovery Museum: Children's museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering hands-on science, art, and culture exhibits for families and school groups. Closest regional peer in scale, audience, and programming model.
• Discovery Center at Murfree Spring: Hands-on children's science museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and family/school audience within the Tennessee market.
• American Museum of Science and Energy: Oak Ridge-based museum covering Manhattan Project history and energy science. Directly comparable on Manhattan Project historical content and East Tennessee family audience.
• Hands On! Discovery Center: Children's museum in Johnson City, Tennessee, with hands-on science and art exhibits for families and school groups. Comparable in size, programming, and East Tennessee/Southern Appalachian audience.

Others

• Association of Children's Museums (ACM): National trade association that CMOR belongs to and that operates the reciprocal admission network referenced in CMOR's membership program. Comparable as an industry ecosystem enabler rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The largest children's museum in the world. Comparable as a children's museum operator with diversified admissions, membership, and grants revenue, though at vastly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KidsMuseumofOR
• Facebookfacebook.com/72254417225
• Pinterestpinterest.com/chmor461
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/children's-museum-of-oak-ridge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Children's Museum of Oak Ridge