The Children’s Museum of the East End is celebrating 20 years of serving families on the East End. What began as a simple idea with eight moms who dreamt of a place where children could learn through play became a reality in 2005 with a mission to spark imagination and foster learning for children of all backgrounds and abilities. Fast forward to today, CMEE now welcomes over 65,000 visitors annually and has recently opened a new outdoor playground.
CMEE will host its 15th Annual Family Fair on Saturday, July 19, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The theme of this year’s benefit is Sweet Escape and will feature arts and crafts, water play, live entertainment, food trucks, candy, and more. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit CMEE’s food pantry, provide camp scholarships, and support outreach initiatives.
We spoke to CMEE Co-Presidents Liz Bard and Lara Sweeney to learn more.
As you celebrate CMEE’s 20th anniversary this year, what can families look forward to this summer? Are there any new programs you’re especially excited about?
Liz Bard: 2025 marks 20 years of play at CMEE, and we are celebrating this milestone with a new playground! Our new space brings to life one of our core values: the importance of nature and outdoor exploration in learning and child development. Children now spend half as much time outdoors as they did a generation ago. In today’s digital world, it’s important to provide opportunities for outdoor play, which can foster independence, healthy risk-taking, and self-reflection. With swings, abstract climbing structures, sand play, spinners, and more, CMEE’s new outdoor exhibition is truly a unique experience. Children and families can engage in age-appropriate play centered around gross motor development. Access to the playground is included with your admission or membership, and the playground is available for birthday parties.
CMEE has long been a vital community resource. Can you tell us about its history?
Lara Sweeney: CMEE started as a conversation around a kitchen table in Amagansett. In the late ’90s, a group of local moms wanted to create a space for new parents to gather, a place where kids could learn through play. At the same time, a new movement of children’s museums were opening around the country and the idea for CMEE was born. In 1998, this group of seven moms soon launched a pilot exhibit hosted by Guild Hall, and in just 14 short weeks more than 5,000 people visited the exhibit. Building on this enthusiasm and with the support of hundreds of community stakeholders, CMEE opened its current home in Bridgehampton in October 2005.
Today, CMEE fulfills its mission through exhibitions, performances, special events, and lots of classes. As community needs have changed over the past 20 years, CMEE has made sure to evolve in step with our patrons, whether it’s through educational activities at the Museum, our community food pantry, or STEM evening classes. CMEE is here for every kid in the East End. We are proud to have served more than 1 million patrons since opening our doors in 2005 and can’t wait to serve the next generation of kids!
What can guests expect at this year’s 15th annual Family Fair?
Liz Bard: The theme for this year’s Fair, scheduled for Saturday, July 19, is Sweet Escape! Welcoming hundreds of families each year, grown-ups and kids can expect a day of fun, food, crafts, and games. We are happy to welcome back our friends from the Clam Bar to serve up summer favorites, like lobster rolls. Of course, there will be sweet treats, including cupcakes from Baked by Melissa, healthy bites from Little Spoon, and Abe’s Muffins. Some of our favorite crafts include DIY sunglasses and photo frames brought to us by our friends at Saunders, and candy necklaces from our sponsor, Hampton Pool Company. Most importantly, the Family Fair is the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, and your ticket purchase directly supports the work we do all year round, including a food pantry, tutoring programs, and free memberships for families in need! Rest assured, you are having fun and making a difference. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
What’s one wish you have for every family who visits CMEE this summer?
Liz Bard: Enjoy your time together! Each summer, we have a number of teens, or CMEE alumni, return to complete community service hours, and our staff always enjoy taking a walk down memory lane with them. The teens recount their favorite CMEE memories, comment on most cherished exhibits, and almost always remark, “It seems so small now.” We hope that CMEE will hold a special place in your family’s hearts. From our seasonal events to the fire truck exhibit, and now the new playground…we hope that the Museum is somewhere you can continue to learn and grow through play and continue to create cherished memories together.
Looking ahead, are there any goals or initiatives in the works that you’d like to share?
Lara Sweeney: We are honoring our 20th anniversary in a big way with a new outdoor playground, and what better way to celebrate than with a party on the playground! CMEE will officially turn 20 in October, and we are planning a fun and inclusive family event to raise funds for our Birthday Besties program. Funds support birthday parties at CMEE for underserved children. Birthday parties can be out of reach for many local kids, and we want to fix that! We can’t wait to share more details soon.
