From the Executive Director and Vice Chair of the Board
Stephanie Palmblad
Vice Chair Board of Directors
Alicia Bay
Executive Director
2024-2025: A Year of Connection and Play
The 2024-2025 fiscal year at Gilbert House Children’s Museum was defined by the sounds of discovery, a record-breaking community presence, and a deep commitment to the power of play. This year was dedicated to fueling a lifelong love of wonder for our children and our community, proving that the museum is much more than a collection of exhibits—it is a cherished home for connection.
If you visited the museum this year, you likely heard it: the sounds of discovery. It’s the rattle of a stomp rocket launching in the Test Lab, the bubbling laughter in our Outdoor Discovery Area, and the focused quiet of a child deep in a creative project. These sounds are the proof of what happens when we give children the space to lead their own adventures. This year, we didn't just reach a record-breaking 100,044 visitors; we focused on what makes those moments truly magical for every generation that walks through our gates.
As adults, it is so easy to carry the weight of the world with us. But at Gilbert House, we invite you to release that weight and find True Fun. We believe that magic happens at the intersection of Playfulness, Connection, and Flow. It’s about taking the space to be lighthearted and letting go of daily stresses to find those moments of deep connection—where eyes meet as "co-conspirators" in a world of imagination. When we see a child so wrapped up in a moment that they lose track of time, we know they have found that state of flow where true discovery begins.
The heart of Gilbert House is our people. This year, our education team brought a fresh wave of energy to our halls, captured perfectly by Zach St. Lawrence, our Education Coordinator, who brings the magic of Make & Take Story Time to life. These sessions are where the line between learning and play disappears in a swirl of creativity. That same spark is alive in our Homeschool Adventures, where Julia Golden empowers students to embrace the messy, experimental side of life. These educators remind us that while a class might end, the journey of becoming resilient problem-solvers is a lifelong adventure.
Our impact also traveled far beyond our front gates this year. We connected with 1,473 community members at outreach booths across the Willamette Valley and welcomed thousands of students through our field trip programs, ensuring the joy of hands-on learning remains accessible to all. None of this would be possible without the neighbors and partners who stand behind us. Because of your support, we recorded 1,078 hours of volunteer time and provided 182 ACCESS memberships, ensuring that the world of wonder remains open and welcoming to every family.
The momentum is only building as we look toward the future. Our goal remains the same: to ensure that every visit to Gilbert House helps families make memories that last a lifetime and builds a legacy of curiosity. Whether your child is creating in the sand pit, building an obstacle course in Grandma’s Clubhouse, or taking an order in the Gilbert Grill, know that you are part of an inspired, creative community.
We are so grateful you’ve chosen to play, explore, and grow with us.
Alicia Bay Executive Director
Stephanie Palmblad Vice Chair, Board of Directors
Breaking down 2024-2025’s income and expenditures
New Record
For our July 2024–June 2025 fiscal year, Gilbert House reached a historic milestone, officially welcoming 100,044 visitors and breaking our all-time attendance record. This achievement marks a beautiful, steady climb as our community rediscovered the joy of being together; following an initial surge of families returning to play, we saw consistent year-over-year increases of 37% and 28%, culminating in this year's 6% growth over our previous high. Since 2020, we have seen an incredible 1,187% increase in attendance, proving that the spark of wonder is brighter than ever and that our museum has truly become a cherished home for discovery and connection.
Admissions
10%
Our mission of inspiring children through creative play was brought to life this year by a record-breaking community of explorers. Throughout our 2024–2025 season, we were overjoyed to see our members choose Gilbert House as their home for discovery time and again, totaling 43,167 member visits. These families, representing 43% of our total attendance, are the heartbeat of our museum, filling every corner—from the science lab to the creative spaces—with laughter and learning. Along with our dedicated members, we were honored to welcome 56,877 non-members (57% of our visitors). Whether it was a local family's first time stepping through our doors or a traveler's long-awaited return, these guests remind us that the spark of wonder is a shared experience that connects our entire community.
Increase In Member Visits.
11%
We saw a significant expansion in our role as a regional hub for hands-on learning, reaching a new milestone in educational outreach. Field trip attendance grew to 6,665 visitors, representing a 11% increase over the previous year's total of 6,009. This growth reflects the deep trust local educators place in Gilbert House as a vital extension of the classroom, where students can move beyond textbooks to experience real-world discovery. We are proud to have welcomed 656 more students and chaperones this year, ensuring that the magic of the museum reached even more young learners across our community.
Increase In Field Trip Attendance
Income
Expenses
Exhibits
Whether visitors are whipping up a creative meal in the Gilbert Grill, caring for animals in the Vet Clinic, or exploring the Outdoor Discovery Area our exhibits serve as vibrant stages for imagination and discovery. This past fiscal year was a season of transformation, highlighted by the grand opening of the Gilbert Grill in December 2024 and the debut of Airflow Alley in January 2025.
These new experiences complement our most popular attractions, including the Bubble Factory, where sensory play takes center stage, and Grandma’s Clubhouse, where the "blue blocks" remain a centerpiece for engineering and open-ended play. From the artistic freedom of the Creative Space to the natural exploration found in Nature’s Workshop, these spaces invite children to play, learn, and grow at their own pace. By providing these interactive environments, we ensure that every visit opens up a new world of exploration and lifelong learning.
A New Favorite is "Order Up" at Gilbert House!
What happens when a classic 1950s diner meets the Northwest’s favorite place to play?
A TON of excitement (and a lot of pretend fries) builds up.
As evidenced by the constant hum of activity on our first floor, guests—whether they were "head chefs" in training or parents ready to grab a seat at the counter—couldn’t wait to explore this nostalgic world of play.
Exhibit elements include a retro-themed counter and kitchen, a menu full of burgers and fries, and play-stations where kids can serve up pretend drinks to their "customers." The space is designed to feel like a real community hub, complete with the sights and sounds of a bustling 50s-style diner.
Guests learn how the Gilbert Grill helps develop social-emotional skills, cooperation, and early math concepts through role-play. By taking orders and working together to "run the diner," children use their creativity and social ingenuity to create a world of connection that’s truly their own.
Take Flight at the New Airflow Alley!
What happens when curiosity meets the invisible power of wind? A WHOLE lot of soaring high (and the occasional mid-air scramble) as scarves and pom-poms take flight!
As evidenced by the constant rush of movement and wide-eyed wonder on our first floor, guests—whether they are "flight engineers" in training or parents watching in amazement—can’t wait to see what happens next in this high-energy world of physics.
Exhibit elements include a series of clear, winding pneumatic tubes, adjustable air-valves, and a variety of lightweight "flyers" like scarves and balls. The space is designed to be a vibrant laboratory of motion, where kids can predict paths, adjust the flow, and chase their discoveries as they pop out of the rafters.
Guests learn how Airflow Alley helps develop critical thinking, cause-and-effect reasoning, and the basics of aerodynamics through active play. By testing different objects and exploring how air moves through the system, children use their natural curiosity to turn an invisible force into a hands-on adventure that’s truly their own.
