Zack Tonkins
Families searching for a fresh, imaginative, and hands-on learning experience have a new destination to add to their weekend plans: the Children’s Gallery at the Museum of Alabama, located inside the Alabama Department of Archives & History in Montgomery. This brand-new space, developed by skilled exhibit designers, fabricators, and media producers, invites young visitors to explore Alabama’s past—and imagine their own place in its future—through an engaging, interactive environment.
Since the 1980s, highlights of museum visits for families had been The Hands-On Gallery and Grandma’s Attic platform, with learning and play activities for young children, however, the space had not undergone significant updates in three decades. During the planning phase for the new gallery, an advisory group consisting of early childhood education experts and families helped the archives team ensure the new learning spaces reflected current research in early-childhood academic approaches. The resulting gallery, which opened in late November 2025, is an immersive space with history and civics concepts geared toward children ages 2 to 10.
The focal point of the gallery is a life-size, climb-inside space shuttle that looks ready for lift-off. Children can take the pilot’s seat, flip switches, run systems, and experiment with the controls as they imagine what it’s like for astronauts, engineers, and mission operators. The shuttle is not just a prop—it’s a learning tool designed to fuel curiosity while celebrating Alabama’s significant contributions to aerospace technology.
But the space shuttle is only one part of the adventure. Elsewhere in the Children’s Gallery, Alabama history comes alive through touch and play, giving families an accessible way to introduce our state’s rich cultural and natural heritage. From ecology to industry, and from early peoples to the modern era, the exhibits introduce big ideas in kid-friendly ways. At the Alabama’s Natural World exhibit, explore habitats—from mountains to rivers and coastlines—and discover how they helped shape industry. An opening in the ecology wall leads to an immersive limestone cave experience, where young explorers can learn about bats, salamanders, ferns, and more. Other stations to explore include a home kitchen, a school room, community building, and a garden. A group of animal friends, created by illustrator Michelle Hazelwood Hyde, guides guests through the gallery, while “playful prompts” encourage discussion between adults and children.
The new gallery also aligns with the Museum of Alabama’s wider mission: to share the history of the state and its people through engaging and accessible exhibits. By investing in a dedicated children’s area, the museum acknowledges something parents already know well: When children can actively participate in the learning process, their curiosity takes flight. Whether your child dreams of rocketing into space, exploring the wilderness, or simply pushing every button in sight, the Children’s Gallery offers hours of discovery, both educational and exciting.
The home of Alabama history since 1901, the Alabama Department of Archives & History is the oldest state-funded historical agency in the United States. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and share the stories of the people of Alabama through their historical materials. The Museum of Alabama is the Archive’s immersive learning environment, where items from its collections are on display. The Museum of Alabama is open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. To plan your visit, visit archives.alabama.gov.