A Junior League of Houston committee led by Ann McFarlane had spent a year traveling the country studying children’s programs of art and science museums, as well as those of the few children’s museums that existed then. The ideas culled from those programs were used to engage Houston school districts, the Texas Commission for the Arts and other groups to support the nascent museum.
Gail Adler and Ann McFarlane worked with an innovative San Antonio exhibits firm to develop the concept of a debut exhibit, Kidtechnics, to introduce the Houston community to the idea of a children’s museum. Gail secured Blaffer Gallery at the University of Houston as the location for the exhibit. Kidtechnics was a great success and validated going forward to establish a brick-and-mortar museum.
Through Gail Adler and Sidney Hawkins Fay, the Museum rented space on Allen Parkway and launched its second successful exhibit, Oaxaca Village, as well as other permanent exhibits inspired by Junior League of Houston research. Chaille Cullinan Hutcheson then began her two-year term as President and the Museum launched its “Take a Giant Step” Capital Campaign to build a larger, permanent facility in the Museum District.
During her tenure as Board President and Life Board Member, Gail Adler began the search for a permanent site. Subsequently, during her time as Board President, Life Board Member Julie Alexander went on to chair the museum’s first Capital Campaign to raise the funds to build the Museum at its present location in the Museum District.
Under the leadership of former Board President, Edward Rudge Allen Jr., in 1989-1990, the Museum’s Building committee went on to select the site and architects, including renowned architect, Robert Venturi, for our present building. Rudge’s son, Randy Allen, would later follow in his footsteps as Board President and become instrumental in the Museum’s expansion.
The Museum celebrated its public grand opening at the Mary Gibbs Jones Building in the fall of 1992 under the Presidency of Kathryn L.E. Rabinow, who continues to serve as a dedicated, active trustee and Life Board Member.
In 2000, with the combined efforts of consecutive Board Presidents, Max Lukens, Life Board Member Charlene Pate and Paul Murphy, the five year “Campaign for the Children” established an endowment fund to support the creation and refurbishment of exhibits and provided support for programming.
Under the consecutive leadership of Board Presidents Randy Allen, Lee Lahourcade, Dan Parsley and Geoff Bracken, in 2005, the Museum launched its “Take Another Giant Step” Capital Campaign to fund the doubling of the Museum’s exhibition space, the expansion of the Museum’s outreach programs and the formal launch of the Museum’s Institute for Family Learning.
On March 14, 2009, under the presidencies of Lance Gilliam and Michael Plank, the Museum opened its doors to a new building addition that doubled its size.
Since its establishment, the Children’s Museum of Houston has grown to serve more than one million children and families annually through onsite Museum attendance and community-based programs. The Museum now operates thirteen bilingual exhibits, seven out-of-school and summer outreach programs and seven bilingual Parent Engagement programs. Remaining focused on its mission to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning, the Museum continues to thrive and address significant community needs.
Each year, Children’s Museum Houston recognizes those individuals who best embody our mission.
Jhin Family Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Susan Jhin has served the Museum as a Board and Advisory Board member for almost 30 years. She and her family, husband Michael and their children Jackson, Chas and Lauren, have had a long history with the Museum, demonstrating energy and passion for the work we do. To encourage and credit those kids who exemplify the same spirit of the Jhins, The Jhin Family Student Volunteer of the Year award and scholarship is bestowed annually to a volunteer youth who epitomizes the enthusiasm that Susan Jhin and her family symbolize for our mission and for service to many generations of children.
This year’s award went to Lakshmy Patel Nuñez, a freshman at Michael E. DeBakey High School for Professionals, was the 2023honoree for her volunteer efforts over summer break and throughout the rest of the year. Lakshmy is always flexible and eager to help with all tasks. From our math cart to manning the info booth, assisting with special event programming, and prepping materials for outreach, Lakshmy has done it all. She is friendly and upbeat with visitors and staff alike. She is dedicated to ensuring our visitors have everything they need in our exhibits and are shares our special learning events, demonstrating her commitment to the museum.
Hillary Farish Stratton Award
With over 20 years of service, Hillary Farish Stratton was one of the longest-serving Board members of Children’s Museum Houston. She spent her entire adult life serving Houston’s children through her leadership roles at the Museum. With the blessing of the Farish Family, The Hillary Farish Stratton Award for Outstanding Board Service was created to honor Hillary’s memory and achievements. This award is given each year to a Board member who best exemplifies Hillary’s commitment to serving the needs of families with honor, dedication, and by inspiring others.
Laurie Allen received the Hillary Farish Stratton Award in 2023 for her exceptional commitment to Houston’s children. Laurie is an active community volunteer in Houston and joined the Children’s Museum Houston Board in 2021, where she serves on the Development Committee. She and her late husband, Randy, have supported the Museum for over 30 years in various leadership roles. In 2019, Laurie helped establish the Randy Allen Spring Golf Classic. Like Hillary, Laurie treats others with the utmost consideration, evident in her deep core of kindness.
Lois Drutz Boiarsky Award
Lois Drutz Boiarsky was the first employee of Children’s Museum Houston and continued to serve the Museum as Director of Operations until her death in 1995. She was the inspiration and coach for all who served with her. To honor her unwavering commitment to the Museum, Lois’ brother Dr. David Drutz, along with his wife Lydia and her nephew Adam Drutz, established an award that recognizes an outstanding member of the staff team each year.
Director of Outreach Tiffany Espinosa received the 2023 Lois Drutz Boiarsky Award. Tiffany has worked at the museum since 2008, where she started as a Para Los Niños program manager. Throughout her tenure at the museum, she has worked with various outreach programs, including Parent Stars, Community Partnerships through Open Doors, and Camp Adventure. Since 2020, she has steadily worked on rebuilding the Museum’s outreach participation through relaunching partnerships and growing new ones.
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