The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (CMNH) is excited to share that they have been awarded a grant for $75,000 from the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation to support the creation and installation of a Luckey Climber exhibit. A Luckey Climber is a visually stunning, large-scale climbing structure that combines art, architecture, and play; the Museum’s will rise two-stories and will open in the fall of 2026.
“We are proud to support the excellent work the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire does to inspire children and families,” said Peter Barrett, Executive Director and Trustee at the Barrett Foundation. “We are pleased to provide this grant for their newest exhibit, which will engage new audiences and provide children with active play experiences for years to come.”
Each Luckey Climber is custom built and fosters creativity, cooperation, gross motor development and joy. “The Luckey Climber will provide a new experience each visit, support children’s physical and mental health through active play, and extend the age of our audience,” says CMNH President Jane Bard. “This exhibit is an important step in growing our attendance and related revenue, thereby insulating the Museum from fluctuations in contributed funding, making us more self-reliant for the future.”
Luckey Climbers have been designed for museums and public spaces around the world and have a reputation for attracting visitors to their institutions and thereby supporting the surrounding communities. “This is the Museum’s largest exhibit investment to date, with a budget of $751,000, and we’re so grateful to have this funding from the Barrett Foundation for this installation, an important investment in the Museum’s future,” shares Bard.
The Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation previously provided CMNH support for their second-floor expansion project, completed in January 2025. This expansion added two new exhibit spaces, allowing CMNH to meet the changing needs of children, families, and the community and adding an additional 1,000 square feet of play areas.
Those who would like to learn more about the Luckey Climber or offer their support for the project can visit this page.