Through the 1989 vision of Dr. Martin Morse, Salem opened a wonderful children’s museum in the childhood home of A.C. Gilbert located on the Salem’s riverfront. As the museum expanded, adding additional historic buildings to the site, our office began to assist with the planned growth. The most significant plan was the addition of the Discovery Village to the site. The massive 10,000 sf outdoor park included music pavilions, dinosaur sand pits, and other teaching stations, all anchored by an iconic erector-set like structure complete with slides. The plan also included a new entry structure, new restrooms, the reconstruction of the Wilson-Durbin House, the City of Salem’s oldest house, on its original foundation, as well as the relocation of Salem’s famous little candy store. This was Salem’s single largest volunteer project to date. Over 6000 volunteers worked for 28+ days to construct what is now known as, the Gilbert House Children’s Museum.
Awards
1999 People’s Choice Award, American Institute of Architects, Salem Chapter
1999 Honorable Mention Award, American Institute of Architects, Salem Chapter