Accessibility & Inclusion

At Gilbert House Children's Museum, we believe every child and family deserves to explore, learn, and create together. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors, regardless of ability.

Family-Friendly Amenities

Changing Tables

  • Available in most restrooms.

Nursing & Pumping

  • Caregivers are welcome to nurse or pump wherever they feel comfortable.

  • A private space is available in the Sensory Portal.

Lost Persons

  • Caregivers must stay with children (under 18 years old) at all times.

  • If a child and caregiver become separated, please notify a staff member immediately. We have a reunification procedure in place.

Strollers

  • While strollers are permitted, we strongly recommend leaving them in your vehicle or using a carrier if possible. Because our museum is housed in three historic Victorian homes, the floor plans are charming but narrow. Strollers can quickly cause "traffic jams," making it difficult for other families to move through the rooms. Two of our three main houses require navigating stairs to reach the second-floor exhibits (which are not accessible by stroller).

  • If you must bring a stroller inside:

    • We encourage the use of small, "umbrella-style" strollers rather than large jogging or double strollers.

    • Strollers are permitted in the galleries for the comfort of sleeping babies only.

    • For the safety and circulation of all guests, we may ask you to move your stroller if it is blocking a designated fire exit or high-traffic walkway.

  • We do not have a formal, supervised stroller parking area. Gilbert House Children’s Museum is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. We strictly advise that you do not leave valuables (purses, keys, electronics, or diaper bags) in unattended strollers. Please keep these items on your person at all times. Strollers are much easier to navigate in our 20,000-square-foot outdoor space.

Notice sign indicating no pets allowed, and service animals specially trained to aid persons with disabilities are welcome, with a wheelchair symbol and a service dog illustration.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome on Museum property in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A service animal is defined as any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. These tasks may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assistance with mobility and balance

  • Retrieving items

  • Assisting individuals with vision or hearing impairments

  • Providing seizure response

  • Assisting with psychiatric conditions or anxiety

Please Note:

  • Service animals must be under the control of their handler at all times. This means they must be on a leash, harness, or tether unless doing so interferes with the animal’s task. If this is the case, the individual must maintain control through voice, signal, or other effective means.

  • Service animals must remain with their handlers at all times and are permitted in all areas open to the public.

  • Handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their service animals. Waste disposal stations are available throughout the Museum grounds for your convenience.

  • Service animals should be in good health and free from communicable diseases.

  • The Museum reserves the right to ask for the removal of any animal that is uncontrolled, disruptive, or poses a health or safety risk to others.

“Our team at Wheel the World truly enjoyed visiting Gilbert House Children’s Museum in Salem. It’s a welcoming place where creativity, curiosity, and play come together for visitors of all ages. The museum’s interactive exhibits and large outdoor discovery area make it easy for everyone to explore, learn, and have fun. We appreciated the museum’s thoughtful approach to accessibility, with many exhibits available on the main level and staff who are eager to help all guests have a great experience. We’re grateful for the opportunity to have visited and look forward to seeing how the new website captures the same energy and inclusiveness that make the museum so special.”
— Wheel The World
A shield-shaped badge with a dark green background and white border displaying the text 'Accessibility Verified' and 'wheel the world' with a logo of a wheel integrated into a stylized map marker.

Gilbert House Children's Museum – DEI Statement

Gilbert House Children's Museum does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Gilbert House Children's Museum seeks to provide a safe and fun environment for every visitor who steps inside the museum. It takes all of us to do our part in being responsible and considerate of everyone in the museum.