CHESHIRE CHILDRENS MUSEUM

What CHESHIRE CHILDRENS MUSEUM does

Cheshire Children's Museum is a non-profit, single-location children's museum operating at 149 Emerald Street, Suite C, in Keene, New Hampshire. The museum delivers play-based learning through more than 20 hands-on interactive exhibits—including Car Ramps, Climbing Tree, Stage, Schoolhouse, Space Station, Healthy Home & Garden, Railway Cog & Coal Mine, Mechanic Shop, Sensory Play, State Parks, Barnyard, Bank, Veterinarian, Fire Station, Grocery Store, Coffee Bar, Food Truck, and Boat play areas—integrating arts, science, math, and literature for early-childhood audiences. Its core technology is the physical exhibit environment itself, supported by community-based programming and creative collaborations with partners such as MAXT Makerspace and Hannah Banana.

The museum serves four primary customer segments: families with young children (the core walk-in and membership audience), school groups (field trips at $9/person or $6/person for schools with over 50% reduced-lunch rates), public libraries (annual $250 memberships that distribute half-price passes to patrons), and for-profit and non-profit organizations ($300-$500/year memberships providing free admission for up to 10 members per day). Recurring membership tiers—monthly ($25), quarterly ($70), and annual World Membership ($250, which extends to 200+ museums in the US and Canada)—form the predictable revenue backbone, supplemented by event rentals (birthday parties and private bookings in the Community Room), an annual May Day 5K & Family Fest fundraiser, and a layered sponsorship program covering exhibits ($1,000/year), benches, the coffee bar, and the donor tree. Equitable access programs (50% off for WIC/EBT cardholders, 20% off for teachers, military, and first responders) and a Program Scholarship Fund reinforce the museum's non-profit community mission. Leadership is provided by Executive Director Jocelyn Goldblatt and a Board of Directors chaired by Izzy Luhrs, with operations supported by 1-10 staff.

Name

CHESHIRE CHILDRENS MUSEUM

Legal name

Cheshire Children's Museum

Website

https://cheshirechildrensmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cheshire Children's Museum is a Keene, New Hampshire-based non-profit operating a single-location hands-on children's museum with 20+ interactive exhibits, serving families, schools, libraries, and community organizations via memberships, admissions, field trips, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Educational & Edutainment Parks (Science/Discovery/Children’s Parks) (THAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Children's museum
• Hands-on exhibits
• Play-based learning
• Family memberships
• School field trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Keene

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Revenue from ticket sales for museum entry, with online ticketing via Clover platform.
2. Family Memberships: Monthly, quarterly, and annual membership tiers providing unlimited visits. Monthly at $25/month, quarterly at $70/quarter, annual at $250/year. Includes World Membership benefits for 200+ museums.
3. Library Memberships: Annual library passes at $250/year allowing libraries to offer patrons half-price admission for up to 4 people.
4. Organizational Memberships: Annual memberships for organizations: $500/year for for-profit, $300/year for non-profit. Includes free admission for up to 10 members per day.
5. Birthday Party Rentals: Community Room rental for birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays during specific time slots. Private events also available with different rates for business hours and outside business hours.
6. Field Trip Fees: School group visits at $9/person or $6/person for schools with >50% reduced lunch rates.
7. Exhibit Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for exhibits at $1,000/year with over 20 exhibits available for sponsorship. Includes maintenance and enhancement of exhibits.
8. Donor Tree: Laser-cut engraved recognition on donor tree in entry area: Bug ($100), Flower ($75), Apple ($50), or Leaf ($25) for one year display.
9. Event Sponsorships: May Day 5K and family fun day event sponsorships, the museum's biggest fundraiser.
10. Coffee Bar Sponsorship: Monthly coffee bar sponsorship at $50/month or $500/year with social media recognition and signage.
11. Bench Sponsorship: Bench sponsorship throughout museum at $500/year with laser-engraved signage on benches where parents watch children play.
12. Program Scholarship Fund: Donations supporting equitable access by funding paid educators without passing costs to families. Includes lobby/event room signage and logo on promotional materials.
13. Donations: Financial contributions and in-kind donations via Amazon Wish List.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cheshire Children's Museum operates a hands-on children's museum featuring over 20 interactive exhibits (Car Ramps, Climbing Tree, Space Station, Fire Station, Grocery Store, Veterinarian, etc.) that integrate arts, science, math, and literature into play-based learning experiences for children. The museum sells admission tickets, recurring memberships (Family, Library, Organizational), birthday party venue rentals, and school field trip programs from its single Keene, NH location, supported by donations, sponsorships, and an annual fundraiser.

Product overview

Cheshire Children's Museum is a single-location children's museum offering a unified experience centered on hands-on interactive exhibits for play-based learning. The core product portfolio includes 24+ themed exhibit areas (Car Ramps, Space Station, Fire Station, Grocery Store, etc.) that children explore through interactive play. The museum supports its exhibit experience with membership programs (Family, Library, and Organizational tiers), venue rental services (Birthday Parties and Private Events), and Field Trip educational programs. An annual community event (May Day 5K & Family Fest) serves as a major fundraiser. The museum's offerings are integrated through its visitor experience rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ partner museums in US & Canada for World Membership holders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Savings Bank of WalpoleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and supporter of the museum. Sponsors the Bank exhibit.
• TimkenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and supporter of the museum.
• New Hampshire Charitable FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor community partner and supporter providing foundation funding.
• East Hill FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor community partner and supporter providing foundation funding.
• More Than A Thrift StoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and supporter of the museum.
• MAXT MakerspacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner that sponsors the Little Investigators exhibit and provides collaborative programming opportunities.
• Panera BreadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner hosting fundraising events where a percentage of net sales is donated to the museum.
• 21 Bar & GrillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner hosting dine-out fundraising events where a percentage of proceeds supports the museum.
• Monadnock Brazilian Jiu JitsuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner and supporter of the museum.
• Hannah BananacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative collaborator hosting playdates in the event room on the last Wednesday of every month, with activity programming and workshops.
• PapaJoe StorytellingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity performer and activity provider at museum events including May Day 5K.
• ABA Centers Autism CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVendor/activity provider at museum events.
• Gathering Waters Charter SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVendor/activity provider at May Day 5K event.
• Birdies: The Place to GatherminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-recommended restaurant partner listed in museum's restaurant guide.
• FritzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-recommended restaurant partner listed in museum's restaurant guide.
• Elm CityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-recommended restaurant partner in the Colony Mill building.
• Brick House Pizza & WingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-recommended restaurant partner listed in museum's restaurant guide.
• 21 Bar & GrillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-recommended restaurant partner listed in museum's restaurant guide; also hosts fundraising events.
• Westside Animal HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Veterinarian exhibit.
• Monadnock Food Co-OpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-recommended restaurant/grocery partner listed in museum's restaurant guide.
• LibrariescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibrary membership program allows libraries to distribute half-price museum admission passes to patrons.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• SEE Science Center: Manchester, NH-based non-profit science center with hands-on exhibits for children and families. Comparable as a small New England, non-profit educational museum with similar exhibit-driven, family-focused model.
• EcoTarium: Worcester, MA-based museum of nature and science with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Comparable as a New England-based, non-profit educational museum serving families and school groups with membership programs.
• The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: Amherst, MA-based children's art museum focused on picture book illustration and literary arts. Comparable as a small New England non-profit museum with educational programming for families and schools.

Direct peers

• Mid-Hudson Children's Museum: Small-to-mid-sized children's museum in the Hudson Valley, NY with hands-on exhibits and family programming. Comparable scale and operating model to Cheshire Children's Museum.
• Marbles Kids Museum: Non-profit children's museum in Raleigh, NC with themed interactive exhibits and educational programming. Comparable as a mid-sized children's museum with similar revenue diversification across memberships, sponsorships, and field trips.
• Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based children's museum focused on play-based learning through interactive exhibits. Directly comparable mission, target demographic, and revenue model (admissions, memberships, sponsorships, events).
• Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh children's museum with hands-on exhibits and maker-focused programming (including partnerships with makerspaces). Comparable given Cheshire's partnership with MAXT Makerspace and its Little Investigators exhibit.
• Boston Children's Museum: Operates a hands-on children's museum in Boston with exhibit-based learning and family programming. Directly comparable as a New England children's museum with membership tiers, field trip programs, and reciprocal museum network participation.
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: World's largest children's museum with extensive interactive exhibits and educational programming. Comparable as a non-profit children's museum operating on membership, admission, sponsorship, and donation revenue streams targeting families and school groups.

Broad incumbents

• The Strong National Museum of Play: Larger museum in Rochester, NY dedicated to play and play-based learning. Broader institution but operates in the same children's museum category with hands-on exhibits and reciprocal membership network participation.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cheshirechildrensmuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cheshire-childrens-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 CHESHIRE CHILDRENS MUSEUM