The Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE) is currently moving into its 21st year as a central hub for family enrichment on the East End. After a milestone 2025 season that celebrated two decades in its Bridgehampton home, the museum continues to evolve from its origins as a small local playgroup into a sophisticated, 9,000-square-foot educational landmark.
A major highlight of the museum’s recent expansion is the high-performance playground unveiled during last year’s anniversary celebrations. This 9,000-square-foot outdoor space was specifically designed to provide climbing, bridges, and monkey bars for a broad age range, specifically children ages 2 to 12. This addition transformed the museum’s backyard into a year-round destination, offering a modern outdoor counterpart to the museum’s evergreen indoor exhibits like the candy kitchen and the fire truck.
CMEE’s business model remains a blend of admissions, grants, and dedicated community fundraising. Beyond its role as a playground, the museum has solidified its status as a vital social service provider. Since pivoting during the pandemic, CMEE has maintained a consistent food pantry that serves 50 to 60 families bi-weekly. As a “Blue Star Museum” and a participant in the “Museums for All” initiative, the institution remains committed to removing financial barriers to play, ensuring accessibility for active military families and those with EBT or WIC benefits.
The museum’s enduring design, originally crafted by architect Lee Skolnick, has proven remarkably resilient, with many of the artisanal indoor exhibits remaining favorites for new generations. This “evergreen” nature of the museum is now coming full circle, as the staff frequently sees former visitors returning as teenagers to volunteer or even joining the professional staff after having attended “Baby and Me” classes decades ago.
As a cornerstone of the Bridgehampton community, CMEE continues to prove that play is an essential component of local infrastructure. Its success over the last 20 years reflects the East End’s ongoing demand for high-quality, inclusive spaces that foster both child development and community connection.
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