Explore More Discovery Museum

What Explore More Discovery Museum does

Explore More Discovery Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum founded in 2003 and headquartered in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Originally launched as the Harrisonburg Children's Museum at 30 N. Main Street, it moved to its current permanent home at 150 S. Main Street in November 2010 and rebranded to its present name. The museum operates from a three-story, 33,000 square foot facility and serves over 80,000 visitors annually with hands-on, multi-sensory learning experiences targeted at children ages 1-12. Core programming includes general museum admission ($9.50 per person, the lowest among seven Virginia children's museums), annual memberships (Explorer, Family, Grandparent, and One Plus One tiers), SOL-aligned field trips for regional schools (6,500 annual visits from Augusta, Shenandoah, Page, and West Virginia), birthday party packages, summer camps (Junior and Master Explorer tracks for ages 3.5-14), homeschool learning labs, and accessibility programs including Play without Boundaries low-sensory events.

The museum's technology and product surface is anchored by themed permanent exhibits and Maker City, a hands-on makerspace for ages 8+ featuring woodworking, electronics, fiber arts, 3D printing, laser cutting, and vinyl cutting equipment. Other signature exhibits include Discovery Treehouse (a 22 ft. atrium treehouse), Cash Flow (financial literacy with Kid Currency), Take Flight (a full-size Beechcraft King Air 90 fuselage), It's Electric, Friendly City Medical Center, and Down on the Farm. The product portfolio is supplemented by Music Explorers Workshops delivered in partnership with Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir and Maker Workshops on first Saturdays.

The revenue model is a 55/45 hybrid: approximately 55% earned income from admissions, memberships, field trips, birthday parties, programs, and merchandise; and approximately 45% contributed income from donations, grants, corporate sponsorships (50+ local businesses), and signature fundraising events (Night at the Museum gala, Great Community Give campaign, Run the Runway 5K). The 2026 Great Community Give raised over $160,000 from 288 donors with a $25,000 match unlocked; the 2025 Night at the Museum gala raised over $120,000. Operations run on a lean staff of approximately 12-13 full-time-equivalent personnel supplemented by 300+ volunteers contributing roughly 10,000 hours annually.

Name

Explore More Discovery Museum

Legal name

Explore More Discovery Museum

Website

https://iexploremore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum / Educational Services

NAICS

Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes) (THAJAKAO)

Keywords

• Children's museum services
• Interactive learning exhibits
• STEAM education programs
• Summer camp programs
• Birthday party events

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrisonburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Earned Income - Admissions and Programs: Primary revenue from general admission fees ($9.50/person), memberships, field trips, birthday parties, summer camps, and educational programs. Represents approximately 55% of annual operating budget.
2. Contributed Income - Donations and Grants: Donations, grants, and sponsorships represent approximately 45% of annual operating budget. Includes corporate sponsorships, individual donations, foundation grants, and government support.
3. Special Events Fundraising: Revenue from annual fundraising events including Night at the Museum gala, Great Community Give, and Run the Runway 5K. Events raised over $160,000 and $120,000 respectively in recent years.
4. Merchandise and Retail: Sale of gift cards, mural prints, and museum merchandise through on-site and online purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Explore More Discovery Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum that delivers interactive, multi-sensory learning experiences for children ages 1-12 through permanent exhibits, a Maker City makerspace for youth ages 8+, and seasonal programs. Core sellable offerings include museum admissions, annual memberships, birthday party packages, summer camps (Junior and Master Explorer), school field trips, homeschool learning labs, and accessibility programs. Revenue is generated through 55% earned income (admissions and programs) and 45% contributed income (donations, grants, sponsorships).

Product overview

Explore More Discovery Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum offering a diverse portfolio of interactive, hands-on learning experiences. The core offering includes general museum admission and annual membership programs, supplemented by fee-based birthday party packages, summer camps (Junior Explorer and Master Explorer tracks), field trips, and Maker City makerspace sessions. The museum also operates various educational programs including Homeschool Learning Labs, Music Explorers Workshops, and Summer Spark drop-in activities. Fundraising initiatives include Night at the Museum (annual gala), Run the Runway 5K, and Great Community Give campaign. Accessibility programs provide inclusive experiences for children with autism and sensory needs. The museum generates revenue through admission fees, memberships, program registrations, donations, and special events, with approximately 55% earned income and 45% contributed income.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maker City: A hands-on makerspace for youth ages 8+ where families can design, invent, create, and collaborate using real tools and materials, including woodworking, electronics, fiber arts, 3D printing, laser cutting, and vinyl cutting.
• Night at the Museum
• Run the Runway
• Great Community Give
• Downtown Ducklings

Products and services

• Museum Admission General admission tickets for visitors to explore the museum's interactive exhibits. Admission is $9.50 per person with discounted rates for SNAP/EBT cardholders through the Museums for All program at $3.00 per person.
• Membership Programs Annual membership options including Explorer Membership (three adults + household children), Family Membership (two adults + household children), Grandparent Membership, and One Plus One Membership. Members receive free admission and reciprocal museum access benefits.
• Birthday Party Packages Celebration packages including Birthday Bash ($275/$250 for members) with private party room, tableware, and up to 15 child admissions; and Deluxe Cooking Party ($375/$345 for members) featuring culinary experience in the Teaching Kitchen for ages 6+.
• Master Explorer Camps Full-day and half-day camp experiences for children in rising grades 1-8, featuring themed programs such as Pop Star Academy, Explore Maker City, Game Day Science, Jedi Training, Camp Millionaire, Rocket Lab, Pokemon STEAM, and Creative Coding.
• Junior Explorer Camps Half-day camp experiences for children ages 3.5-5 featuring themed programs including Imagination Stage, Storybook Cooks, Move and Groove, Paw Patrol Heroes, Pet Vet, and Wonder Lab.
• Field Trips Educational group visits including Free Explore ($8/child, self-guided), Focused Field Trips ($9.50/child, SOL-based guided lessons), and Maker City Field Trips ($10/child, grades 4-5) for preschool through grade 5.
• Maker City Hands-on makerspace for youth ages 8+ featuring woodworking, electronics, fiber arts, 3D printing, laser cutting, and vinyl cutting. Offers Open Make sessions and specialized workshops using professional-grade equipment.
• Play to Learn Programs Interactive exhibit-based learning experiences across themed areas including CK's Kitchen & Farmer's Market, KEVA Building Zone, Friendly City Medical Center, TV Studio, Science Lab, Super Service Center, Virginia Theater, and Down on the Farm.
• Homeschool Learning Labs Weekday enrichment programs for homeschool students featuring hands-on STEM and art classes including The Art of STEM (grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8) and Innovations & Inventions (grades 3-5).
• Music Explorers Workshop Free music classes for children ages 5-8 taught by Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir instructors using the Kodaly approach to music education.
• Summer Spark Programs Weekly drop-in summer programming including Tinker Time (Tuesdays), Making Masterpieces (Wednesdays), Science Explorers (Thursdays), and Preschool Paint n' Play (Fridays).
• Maker Workshops Introductory sessions for ages 8+ to explore Maker City tools and activities, held on first Saturdays of each month. Free with membership or admission.
• Accessibility Programs Inclusion initiatives including Play without Boundaries (low sensory events for children with autism and sensory needs), First Friday Free evenings, Museums for All SNAP discounts, family scholarships, and community partnerships.
• Gift Cards and Merchandise Gift cards available for museum admission, membership, and enrichment classes, plus museum mural prints created by local artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80,000 annual visitors served
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey nonprofit partner for Great Community Give annual fundraising event. Processes stock gift donations and provides ongoing support for Harrisonburg area nonprofits including Explore More.
• Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg VirginiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary sponsor of First Friday Free monthly events (5-7 PM first Friday), providing free admission for all visitors. Major supporter of sponsored admission programs.
• James Madison University (JMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership including student internships and practicum experiences, Hart School involvement, JMU Dining catering, JMU Office of the President sponsorship, JMU Sports Properties partnership, and academic collaborations.
• Massanutten Regional LibraryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibrary partnership providing museum passes for families to check out free admission passes.
• Harrisonburg Downtown RenaissancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Downtown Ducklings public art initiative placing bronze ducklings throughout downtown Harrisonburg.
• Pediatricians throughout the regionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvide free admission passes to families at 2-year well-check visits to introduce children to museum experiences.
• Infant and Toddler ConnectionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSocial services agency partnership for free admission and special events for families.
• Harrisonburg Rockingham Social ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment social services partnership for free admission programs and family support.
• Sentara Healthy Families of the Blue RidgeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare nonprofit partnership for family support programming and free admission.
• Boys & Girls ClubsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree admission partnership with local youth organization.
• Shenandoah Valley Migrant EducationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational outreach partnership serving migrant families in the Shenandoah Valley.
• Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir (SVCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing free Music Explorers workshops for children ages 5-8 using the Kodaly music education approach.
• Magnum Opus CoachingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides free 8-week training program for Run the Runway 5K participants of all fitness levels.
• Massanutten Technical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical education partnership providing specialized instruction such as bricklaying for summer camps.
• VA Main StreetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState organization partnership for sharing organizational story and community development best practices.
• Mercy HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSocial services agency partnership for free admission programs.
• National Counseling GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMental health services partnership for family support.
• Harrisonburg Redevelopment Housing AuthorityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHousing authority partnership for access programs.
• Big Brother/Big SistersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth mentoring organization with free admission partnership.
• Second HomeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth organization partnership for free admission.
• Church World ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSocial services agency partnership for family support.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Port Discovery Children's Museum: Baltimore-based children's museum with three floors of interactive exhibits focused on play-based learning. Comparable in mission, exhibit-driven model, and family programming, though serving a larger metro market.
• Discovery Museum: Children's museum in Bridgeport, CT with hands-on STEAM exhibits and educational programming. Comparable in mission, age range served, and operating model, though with a stronger emphasis on older children and a larger urban draw.
• KidsQuest Children's Museum: Children's museum in Bellevue, WA with hands-on exhibits, makerspace programming, and school field trip offerings. Comparable in scale, exhibit-based learning model, and focus on early childhood through elementary-age children.
• Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based children's museum with interactive exhibits and learning experiences designed for young children. Comparable in programming model (exhibits, birthday parties, camps, memberships) and family audience, though operating at larger scale in a major metro.
• Mid-Hudson Children's Museum: Children's museum in Poughkeepsie, NY with STEAM-focused exhibits and makerspace programming for ages 0-12. Highly comparable in scale (~30,000+ sq ft), regional draw, and programming mix including field trips and summer camps.
• Children's Museum of Richmond: Virginia-based children's museum serving young children with interactive exhibits, makerspaces, and educational programming. Comparable in mission, age range served, and membership/admission model, though located in a larger metro area (Richmond).
• Virginia Living Museum: Regional museum in Newport News, VA combining indoor exhibits with outdoor nature experiences. Comparable as a Virginia-based, multi-experience family attraction with educational programming, though its scope extends to natural history and wildlife.
• Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum: Hands-on children's museum located in Winchester, VA — same Shenandoah Valley region — with a similar mission of interactive, multi-sensory learning for young children. Operates as a direct geographic competitor drawing from overlapping regional family and school audiences.

Broad incumbents

• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The largest children's museum in the world, located in Indianapolis, with extensive exhibits, collections, and educational programming spanning sciences, arts, and culture. Comparable in mission and broad-based educational entertainment, though operating at vastly larger scale with national reach.

Regional players

• National Children's Museum: Washington, D.C.-based children's museum focused on STEAM learning, engineering, and arts through interactive exhibits. Comparable in educational mission and hands-on approach, but operates at significantly larger scale in a major metro area within driving distance of the Shenandoah Valley.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/iexploremore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/explore-more-discovery-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Explore More Discovery Museum