Waterfront Resiliency - Boston Children's Museum

Surging Ahead

Investing in the Museum and the Future of Boston

In August 2026, Boston Children’s Museum will break ground on the first phase of this trailblazing waterfront project.

The Museum will start with waterproofing the historic brick exterior. Most of this work will be done along Sleeper Street (the back of the Museum) and has the added benefit of creating safer sidewalks and traffic patterns for our visitors and neighbors.

Protecting the Museum from future flooding requires more than one solution—it takes a layered approach.

This project combines four key strategies: waterproofing the historic brick exterior, protecting critical building systems, managing floodwater underground, and installing deployable flood barriers in partnership with the City of Boston. Together, these improvements help safeguard the Museum while preserving its history for future generations.

The below illustration shows a long-term vision that goes beyond the current phase of the Museum’s flood resiliency work. It represents a fully built-out system of permanent protections integrated into the landscape, which will require significant additional funding and support to become reality. Compared to the current site, it highlights how future investment could transform the Museum into a more resilient and seamlessly protected place.

The below map illustrates how rising sea levels and major storms could affect the Fort Point neighborhood if no action is taken. Guided by the Climate Ready South Boston Plan, the Museum used this information to shape its flood resiliency strategy. Every improvement made here helps strengthen not only the Museum, but also the resilience of the surrounding community.

During Winter Storm Riley in 2018, floodwaters surrounded the Museum, leaving it isolated like an island. That powerful moment revealed how vulnerable this historic site had become to rising seas and stronger coastal storms. It also marked the beginning of the Museum’s commitment to planning for a more resilient future.

Boston Children’s Museum is actively developing climate and nature education experiences to help create the next generation of environmental stewards. Fostering an appreciation for nature is a critical step to help children see how we can live alongside and help to protect our water, land, and the built environment.

The generosity of our community is critical to protecting our Museum’s waterfront building for decades of children to come. Please consider making a gift today to support this effort, and we thank you for championing the future of our Museum.