Now defunct, The National Children’s Museum was an interactive children's museum serving the Washington, D.C. metro area. In 2003, the United States Congress designated NCM as the only national museum dedicated entirely to children and their families.The museum's exhibits and programming are designed for children to "learn through play," and focus on six core content areas: the arts, civic engagement, the environment, global citizenship, health and well being, and play. NCM's mission is to inspire children to care about and improve the world.HistoryCapital Children's Museum (1974-2004)NCM was founded as the Capital Children’s Museum in 1974. In 1979, it moved into a building at 220 H Street, NE in Washington, D.C., a former Little Sisters of the Poor home. In 2003, Congress identified a need for a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution specifically for children. The H Street location closed in August 2004.Museum Without Walls (2004-2012)Since 2004, the National Children’s Museum has been operating as a “museum without walls,” forging partnerships with other organizations and participating in community events, educational outreach programs and traveling exhibits.Some of the events in which NCM has participated include the White House Easter Egg Roll, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Marine Corps Marathon, Kids Euro Festival, Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play, and NCM's own JumpOFF! and CycleFest.As a "museum without walls," NCM reached over 300,000 kids and families last year alone.
