1992 – Habitot Children's Museum was founded by parents and educators to meet the unique needs and interests of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the East Bay
1995 – "Waterworks" traveling exhibit completed after raising $40,000 - exhibit embarks on tour of 36 East Bay sites to help build support for Habitot. 5,000 people joined mailing list over the three-year tour.
1998 – $200,000 raised in advance member sales, fundraising events and individual donations. 4,000 sq. ft. facility leased, built-out and opened in downtown Berkeley, April 1998; 30,000 visitors in first year. Launched Family Outreach Program to broaden and diversify audience; opened gift store and "Rocky Coast" exhibit.
1999 – received city and private grants to initiate youth employment program (20+ high school/college students per year); first year-round multicultural events and programs on weekends; opened "Back to the Farm" exhibit; held first annual Preschool Art Fair; 50,000 museum visitors.
2000 – raised $60,000 in capital to lease, build-out and open Habitot, Too, an adjacent 1,100 sq. ft. classroom annex; commence year-round children’s classes and camps and parenting education program eventually raising $80,000 in earned class revenue and serving 1500 students and parents a year; "Firehouse" exhibit opened; Board adopts 5-Year Strategic Plan. Annual visitation reaches 60,000.
2001 – opened "Recycling Center" exhibit; launched Art Reach program of off-site arts programming in local schools and develops a fee for service line of revenue. Expands birthday and museum rental program; launched Early Childhood Safety Campaign; 65,000 visitors.
2002 – family outreach visitors reach 8% of our audience, 5,150 low-income/special needs visitors; opened "Blast Off to Outer Space" exhibits; completed feasibility study of Habitot's capacity to grow; produced first set of parent-to-parent parenting brochures; Early Childhood Literacy Project initiated; 75,000 visitors.
2003 – Parent Education Signage project complete; "Medical Center" exhibit opens; first "Take A Seat for Habitot" fundraising event, $55,000 raised; family outreach visitors reach 10% of our audience -- over 8,000 low-income/special needs visitors; completed IMLS Museum Self Assessment on public perception issues; 80,000 visitors.
2004 – Habitot honored with a federal Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) award for its "Art Reach Program"; revamps website, eventually generating 40,000 unique hits annually and drawing hundreds of new visitors a year; leases additional office space for development, reaching 6,900 sq. ft. in total. Habitot's 5-year Strategic Plan revised through 2010; Contracted with commercial real estate broker to identify new facilities. National Award News
2005 – Initiated weekly community tours; received donation of Roger Goldenberg contemporary art work; completed transitional leadership process, creating a management level structure with the hiring of a managing director; retained public affairs/lobbying firm; launched 'Opening Doors' fund for relocating the museum, raising $100,000 in gifts and multiyear pledges of $300,000. Secured two additional capital pledges totaling $250,000 towards relocation fund. With off-site programs included, 97,000 visitors and community members.
2006 – Identified future home of the museum, a 2-acre site in Emeryville. Partnership agreement launched to secure and develop the site. Board initiates a capital planning effort and seed grants raised for $6-8 million campaign, including $72,000 from IMLS to design the outdoor space. Audience reaches 88,000, including 8,000 served in off-site programs. Low income family participation exceeds 12% of audience though active teen parent, caregiver support and diverse family programs. Free admission days welcome over 7,000 visitors.