A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village -

Upcoming Events

September | October | November | December

For classes and workshops, go here. For upcoming free days, go here.

September

For September workshops at the Village, go here.

National Grandparent's Day
Sunday, September 7, 12 - 5 p.m.
All grandparents receive free admission to A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village with one paid child admission.

Wiggle Worms: Drop-In Music & Movement Program
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
September 9, 16, 23, & 30
Bring your wiggle worm to A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village for songs, rhymes and chants as we explore music and movement. Children ages 18 months to 3 years will delight in the feathers, scarves, puppets and instruments used to heighten the learning experience. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Story Time at the Village: Drop-In Program
Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
September 11, 18, & 25
Join us for story time in a quiet corner of the museum and finish with a craft related to the story. Perfect for ages 2-6, toddlers welcome. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

BU$INE$$ KIDS Awards Ceremony
Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
In June, the BU$INE$$ KIDS were given $20 each to start a summer business. Find out who earned the most for the museum and who will be walking away with one of several cool prizes. Celebrate success with the BU$INE$$ KIDS and hear first-hand what they learned from their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Annual Homeschool Event
Friday, September 19, 3 – 7 p.m.
Network with other local homeschoolers and learn how the Village can help you meet your educational goals. Events include mini-classes, demonstrations, vendors, “Parent as Teachers” workshops, resource discussions and pre-registration for workshops designed specifically with the homeschool family in mind. Download the flyer here.
$5 members/$8 nonmembers (children 4 and under free).
Max of $20 per family. Parents of homeschool children, free.

Free Community Day for Albany Residents
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Albany residents are invited for a special day with free admission to the children’s museum, located in downtown Salem’s Riverfront Park. To receive free admission, show driver’s license or piece of mail with an Albany address. Print the flyer here.

October

For October workshops at the Village, go here.

Free Community Day for Corvallis Residents
Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Corvallis residents are invited for a special day with free admission to the children's museum, located in downtown Salem's Riverfront Park. To receive free admission, show driver's license or piece of mail with a Corvallis address. Print the flyer here.

Wiggle Worms: Drop-In Music & Movement Program
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
October 7, 14, 21, & 28
Bring your wiggle worm to A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village for songs, rhymes and chants as we explore music and movement. Children ages 18 months to 3 years will delight in the feathers, scarves, puppets and instruments used to heighten the learning experience. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Story Time at the Village: Drop-In Program
Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
October 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30
Join us for story time in a quiet corner of the museum and finish with a craft related to the story. Perfect for ages 2-6, toddlers welcome. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Free Pumpkin Carving Workshop
October 16-17, 3 - 5 p.m.
Attend this free workshop at A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village and work with a professional carver. All pumpkins carved during this workshop will be displayed at the Harvest Festival on October 18. Participants in the workshop will receive one free admission to the festival. Space is limited, so please register in advance by calling 503-371-3631

Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Merriment
Saturday, October 18, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Celebrate fall with harvest crafts and games, fresh pressed cider, a sampling of rare fruits and vegetables, a 4-H farm animal petting zoo, carving demonstrations, and a display of carved pumpkins from local youth artists. At sunset, boogie beneath the bridge to LuAnn Ritts and her band Cash and Company as we light our display for Pumpkin Merriment. Grab a seat on a hay bale and relax with the family as we bring the harvest season to you! Regular museum admission applies to this event; additional donations are welcome. Members get in free--or bring a carved pumpkin for one free admission! Download the flyer here.

November

Please note that the museum will be closed Thursday, November 27 for Thanksgiving.

For November workshops at the Village, go here.

Parent and Infant Sign Language
Monday, November 3, 10 - 10:45 a.m.
Sign language can be a powerful tool for early communciation with your child. Try it out in this fun drop-in class at the children's museum that promotes interaction between child and parent. For infants through age 2. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

Thanksgiving Break Workshops at the Children's Museum
November 24 - 26, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Click here for full workshop descriptions.

Thanksgiving Break Free Drop-in Programs
November 24 - 26, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Enroll your child (age 6 and up) in one of our great Thanksgiving Break Workshops, and enjoy a free drop-in program for your preschooler at the museum. Featured drop-in programs are Preschool Story Time & Craft and Preschool Art Studio. No registration is required. Free for members or with paid museum admission.

December

Please note that the museum will be closed December 25 and January 1. We close early on December 31 at 3 p.m. and reopen at 5 p.m. in preparation for New Year's Eve Family Fun.

For December workshops at the Village, go here.

19th Anniversary for A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
Sunday, December 14, 1 - 3 p.m.
A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village celebrates 19 year providing educational opportunities to families in the Salem community. Join us for crafts and activities. Free for members or with regular museum admission.

New Year's Eve Family Fun: Oregon's Nifty 150
December 31
5 - 9 p.m.
Celebrate Oregon's 150th anniversary of statehood with historical performances, live music, crafts and activities, ring in 2009 at midnight EST (9 p.m.) with a lighted ball drop from the world's largest Erector Set tower. $5 for members / $10 for nonmembers.