Yesterday I took our son to A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village. For those not familiar with A.C. Gilbert, he was probably the greatest scientific toy inventor in American history. He was born in Salem, OR (our town) and invented and created such toys as the Erector Set, American Flyer trains, the Atomic Energy Lab, and 150+ other invention patents. He was dubbed “The Man Who Saved Christmas” for his fight for saving Christmas in World War 1. He was also a Olymic gold medal winner for pole vaulting.
The Discovery Village is located at his Uncle’s old home in Salem, OR and includes 4 other homes tied together with a complex maze of wooden and steel playground equipment. There are science exhibits that range from Dinosaurs to Invention and all in between. Kellen was blown away at this magical place where he could touch and use everything in sight. The admission is very reasonable ($5.50) and includes the entire complex. I have been to hundreds of science related museums including the Franklin Institute, Smithsonian, and others. The Gilbert House was hands down the most engaging and well thought out children’s museum I have even experienced. The attention to detail and the vast variety of involvements for children make it a wonderful time. If you ever find your self in Salem, you need to check it out!
Leave a Reply