Since opening in 2008, the Newburg Children’s Museum has made it its mission to provide a safe and educational place for children, says Nancy Allen, the managing director of the museum.
“We’re trying to show the children that there is a life beyond Newburg—that they have the potential to do whatever they want,” Nancy says.
With its 10 themed rooms, the museum is full of hands-on activities, including dissecting microscopes, insect displays, fossils, blacklight areas, taxidermied animals, and toys. Each room aims to educate children while also keeping their curiosity and interest piqued. The cave area is a fan favorite, Nancy says, where kids are allowed to put on headlamps and crawl through the cave.
“One thing is, a lot of parents say, ‘Don’t touch that!’ It’s a hands-on museum. Things are meant to be touched. If things get broken, it’s okay,” Nancy says. “It might spark an interest in a child, and that’s really the whole purpose of it.”
The museum, which is in a refurbished three-story home, is run solely by volunteers and through donations. “Sometimes it’s a struggle. Honestly, I don’t think anybody thought it would last this long, but it’s really having an impact,” Nancy says.
Beyond a place to play and explore, it has educational programs and events for children. In 2024, the museum had more than 1,200 participants in its after-school and summer school programs.
This article was originally published in the June 2025 issue of Missouri Life.
