By J.D. O’Gara

Momentum is growing for the Children’s Museum of Franklin, as over 1,000 people attended the 501 c(3) nonprofit’s first couple of Mobile Pop-Up exhibits.

The museum’s organizers continue to plan mobile exhibits as well as its first major community awareness and fundraising event, Night at the Museum Gala, a 21+ event from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, April 11th at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, Franklin. 

“We have been thrilled with the excitement and the number of people coming in. It’s been amazing,” says Erin Gallagher, co-founder of the Children’s Museum, along with Meg Hagen, “One person who attended said it was like walking into a kids’ paradise.”

The two are still working on securing a location in downtown Franklin.

“That’s not totally ironed out, yet,” says Gallagher, “Hopefully, we’ll be able to announce a spot in the not-too-distant future.”

In the meantime, the organization is going strong planning its mobile events. The following Pop-Up Indoor Mobile Museum events were planned for this month as of press time, with more to come in Franklin and in neighboring towns:

• March 5, 2024, Franklin Public Library, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 118 Main St., Franklin

• March 16, 2024, Franklin Public Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 118 Main St., Franklin

To stay apprised of upcoming mobile exhibits, visit https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/events .

“The audience for a children’s museum drives up to an hour to visit the museum,” says Gallagher. “(It’s) going to be a benefit for the community around Franklin and much further, too. We’ll be popping up into neighboring communities to get some exposure, to let people know were coming, we’re here, and we’re growing in the surrounding region.”

So, far, Gallagher says Norfolk, Medway and Holliston are locations the museum is considering, but the two are open to suggestions.

“We would, of course, welcome anybody who has ideas for other locations in other communities, too,” says Gallagher. “We really do need quite a bit of space to bring the whole museum with us.” To illustrate this, Gallagher points out that the mobile Children’s Museum pop-ups will take up all three community room spaces when they’re held at Franklin Public Library. She also points out that the museum’s pop-ups at Franklin’s Downtown Sports were a hit.

“We were excited for the opportunity to partner with them, because they’ve done some really great programming for the community, so our values certainly align,” says Gallagher.

The Children’s Museum of Franklin is still welcoming sponsors for its gala on April 11th. The event will feature Dean College President Kenn Elmore as emcee, mobile exhibits grown-ups can play with, live entertainment, fun food and a drink ticket, and an online silent auction (launched later this month), the winners of which will be announced at the event. 

To get your ticket for a night of fun in support of the Children’s Museum of Franklin, visit https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/gala .