With the help of generous donations, Easton Legacy Fund aims to help Easton not-for-profits support and give back to the town through various projects. Below, we highlight the Children’s Museum Easton (CME), which we feel is a strong consideration for future Legacy Fund grants.
Children’s Museum Easton
9 Sullivan Avenue, North Easton | 508-230-3789 | Visit Site
Children’s Museum Easton (CME) is a vibrant, educational, experiential, and cultural community asset. Our mission is to inspire young children, their families, and caregivers to become lifelong learners, no matter the economic circumstances of our visitors. We focus on early learning and discovery for children ages 1 – 7. The Museum is housed on three floors in a 117-year-old firehouse, with a safe, fenced outdoor learning space, offering affordable, high-quality exhibits, programs (STEAM), classes (music, science, art, yoga), field trips, and special events. CME designs programs to meet MA Curriculum Frameworks. We also offer in-person and virtual outreach programs to schools, libraries, and community centers.
Two programs that are the essence of learning at CME are our STEAM Lab and MakerSpace. STEAM education incorporates science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics when teaching and working with children. Although these topics seem advanced and complex, STEAM education provides early exposure to these subjects and helps build a strong foundation for future learning. OurMakerSpace is an invitation for young children to explore a variety of materials and to create something only they can imagine. Children have opportunities to take ownership of their learning and exploration. In Makerspace, they begin to see themselves as creators and inventors.
For young children, mastering language and analytical skills accompanies budding creativity to build pretend worlds in which they can engage each other. In our STEAM Lab and Makerspace, they use their words, movement, and imagination to solve problems, explain their ideas, and compromise. Young children are naturally curious, and as they are exposed to new things, they become more involved in learning experiences that excite them, expand their literacy, and develop a deeper understanding of how the world around them works.
In the future, we want to create an exhibit space that allows children to investigate the undersea landscape’s science, language, and art with its marvelous creatures and plant life. At CME, we never stop imagining how to inspire and motivate our young visitors.
CME Father’s Day Road Race
Since 1994, the Children’s Museum Easton has hosted its annual Father’s Day Road Race, a beloved community event. Now in its 28th year, the race has become a cherished tradition for many families.
Initially a 5-mile event attracting serious runners, the race expanded to foster a more inclusive atmosphere. The Museum introduced the Family Fun Walk, allowing everyone to join the festivities regardless of running ability. This commitment to inclusivity led to transforming the race into a 5K. Over the years, the routes have also changed. The Museum was granted permission to run on private land, part of the Ames family estate for a few years. The current route starts at the top of Sullivan Avenue, heads down Center Street, loops around the school complex, winds through neighborhoods, and finishes in front of the Museum. Neighbors along the route set up chairs to cheer the runners, and on hot mornings, some even offer a cooling spray from a garden hose. It’s common to see parents and kids running together or dads pushing their little ones in strollers, embodying the spirit of the day. Family members and friends, many holding signs and blowing horns, gather at the finish line.
In recent years, there has been a surge in participation from young athletes, particularly those from area school running clubs. Local sports centers and businesses have also become actively involved, bringing teams that contribute to the race’s competitive and friendly spirit. There are multiple categories for the runners: Novice (15 and under), Junior (16 to 19), Open (20 to 29), Sub Masters (30 to 39), Masters (40 to 49), Seniors (50 to 59), Super Seniors (60 to 69), and Savvy Seniors (70 and up). Cash prizes are awarded to the first three overall male and female finishers, with first place receiving $300, second place $200, and third place $100. A commemorative prize is awarded to the first three finishers, male and female, in each age category.
Attracting about 350 runners each year, the race is a major fundraiser for the Museum, with all proceeds going towards programming, outreach, and exhibits. It’s this hometown community spirit that makes the Father’s Day 5K special and holds a unique place in the hearts of many.