Strengthening the West End Through Play: Huntington Children's Museum
Photos and story by Katie Marshall, HRCC Intern
When community leaders started imagining what Huntington needed as the COVID-19 pandemic lifted in 2021, just about everyone agreed: a children’s museum. An idea that started as a conversation among Huntington residents, quickly became a purpose-driven effort to design a space where families could learn, connect, and grow together.
Today, that vision is still thriving.
Since opening in July 2024, the Huntington Children’s Museum has become a constant source of energy on 14th Street West, welcoming more than 40,000 visitors through its doors. Raine Klover, Executive Director of the Huntington Children’s Museum, says the museums growth reflects both strong community support and community need.
"We very mindfully chose to be part of West Huntington,” Raine said. “This is a growing, vital area, and it’s really exciting for the children’s museum to be part of that community and to be another anchor in the West End.”
Accessibility played a key role in the museum’s location and design. Located near the highway with dedicated parking, the building is also accessible by public transportation.
“We’re also on the bus line,” Raine said. “We do see many families arrive that way. We’re also in a walkable part of Huntington,” she noted, describing how families often arrive with strollers from nearby streets.
The museum itself offers a different experience from traditional institutions. Rather than quiet galleries and hands-off displays, Huntington Children’s Museum is built around immersive, interactive learning.
“Children’s museum are vastly different from the museums you probably think of when you hear that word,” she said. “We’re not a space where you’re going to go in and look at things on a wall. This is all about hands-on experiences.”
Children and caregivers explore side by side, learning and laughing together in an environment designed to inspire curiosity and collaboration. That commitment to serving all families is built into the space itself. In addition to hands-on exhibits and classrooms, the facility includes an adult sized changing table to accommodate individuals with disabilities, a sensory room to provide a calming environment for children who may become overstimulated, which doubles as a private nursing room ensures caregivers have a comfortable, welcoming place to breastfeed or care for infants.
These intentional choices communicate the museum’s broader mission: to create a space where family feels seen, supported, and valued. By prioritizing accessibility from location to layout, Huntington Children’s Museum expands its impact throughout the community.
As the West end continues to grow, Huntington Children’s Museum stands as a testament to what intentional placement, partnership, and shared vision can accomplish. By combining play with purpose, the museum is not only strengthening young minds, but the extensive community it calls home.
Visitors can explore the museum at 1700 Washington Ave., Huntington, WV 25704. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and families are encouraged to call (681) 378- 3330 with questions or connect online through social media to stay up to date on programs and events.
Facebook Page- Huntington Children's Museum
For the entire Huntington Children’s Museum photo gallery, click here!