Spanish 
2005
A group of Sonoma County mothers inaugurated plans for a children’s museum, addressing the need for a local place for parents, grandparents, and teachers to provide children enriched, learning experiences
2005
Faced with increasing budget cuts to science and art programs within schools, this educated team established Children’s Museum of Sonoma County (CMOSC) as a federal 501(c)(3) corp
2005
Without funding from outside groups or donors, they launched the Museum-on-the-Go (MOG) mobile science and art outreach program
2008
The Junior League of Napa-Sonoma provided the first seed funding to officially sponsor MOG, expanding outreach across the county
2008
CMOSC launched the Founding Family program – more than 100 families committed to the vision over the next three years
2011
CMOSC secured a physical site on 4.2 acres and was awarded a $1.8M CA state grant to build an outdoor nature education area (Mary’s Garden)
2012
CMOSC launched an $8.3M capital campaign to build the permanent museum. The Ella Bisbee Foundation was the first major seed funder with the legacy gift of an art room (Ella’s Art Studio)
2014
Museum opened with Mary’s Garden and Ella’s Art Studio
2015
CMOSC opened the Science and Imagination Gallery (SIG) and TOTopia interior galleries with a generous $1M stakeholder gift from the Ernest L. and Ruth W. Finley Foundation
2018
150,000 annual guests
2019
Lease extension to 2050 approved including additional 230,000 sq ft of outdoor space
2020
Refurbished and updated Totopia
2021
Reopened after COVID with updates to the Medical and Science Lab, Hearts and Minds Pathways, and Wild Zone
2022
Space Odyssey for Galactic Explorers opened
2023
Mechanical Waterways 2.0 opened and 198,570 annual guests
2024
10th Anniversary of the opening of W. Steele Ln!
2026
The Children’s Museum unveiled Sorting Station, an interactive exhibit that introduces young learners to recycling, composting, and sustainability. Children can drive a mini collection truck, sort materials, operate a conveyor belt, and discover how everyday choices help protect the planet.
Coming August 2026
Groundbreaking on the Unlock Potential (UP!) Expansion, marking a major milestone in the Museum’s history. The project will nearly double indoor space, expand programs for older children, improve accessibility, and create new opportunities for play, learning, and discovery for generations to come.
Present
The CMOSC campus includes over 7,000sq ft of existing interior space, coupled with 36,000sq ft of outdoor exhibits. All exhibits are devoted to science, art or nature, with a specific emphasis in Mary’s Garden on environmental sustainability, water conservation and renewable energies
