Esler Family Provides Largest Gift in Museum History

(Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) – The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (CMAS) today announced a $750,000 gift from the Esler Family––the largest in the organization's history––as part of its ongoing $1.3 million capital campaign. With this commitment, the Museum has now raised $1,050,000 toward its goal, supporting the creation of the new Esler Family Room and enhancements that will strengthen the Museum's ability to serve children, families, educators, and community partners throughout the region.

Since relocating to the historic Lincoln Baths in 2021, the Museum has experienced significant growth, continually expanding exhibits and programming to meet community demand. Recent enhancements include the transformation of the lobby into an interactive train station and the addition of a universally accessible playground and outdoor learning space, all designed to create engaging experiences for children of all abilities.

The campaign will support the creation of the Esler Family Room, an Adirondack-inspired immersive environment that reflects a spirit of exploration and connection to the outdoors. The project will also allow the Museum to reconfigure existing space to better support its growing team and operational needs. Over the past five years, CMAS has expanded from five to eighteen staff members, reflecting increased visitation, programming, and community engagement.

Designed as an interactive educational environment, the Esler Family Room will support field trip experiences, hands-on learning activities, and Museum programming. The space will also provide a welcoming area for visiting school groups to enjoy lunch during their visit, helping ensure that children remain immersed in the Museum experience throughout their day.

“This gift represents an investment in the future of the Museum and the families we serve,” said Sarah Smith, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. “As our programs and attendance continue to grow, so does the need for spaces that support meaningful learning experiences. The Esler Family's generosity allows us to create an exciting new environment for children while ensuring we have the resources and infrastructure necessary to continue serving our community for years to come.”

“The Children’s Museum at Saratoga represents everything we believe learning should be; joyful, curious, hands-on, and accessible,” said Matt Esler, CEO of Esler Companies, and more importantly “Grandpa.” “This commitment is about investing in a place that sparks imagination and confidence in children, not just for today, but for generations to come. We’re proud to support an organization that has such a meaningful and lasting impact on families throughout Saratoga County and far beyond.”

The Esler Family has been members of the Children’s Museum for three years, experiencing firsthand how the Museum creates opportunities for children of all ages to discover, create, and explore together.

“As grandparents and members of the Saratoga Community, we’ve watched the Museum grow and evolve, and we’ve seen the way it brings families together across generations,” said Kristen Esler, Founder of the Thirty Year Farm and of course “Grandma.” “Whether it’s a child’s first visit, a school field trip, or a grandparent sharing a special day with their grandchild, the Museum creates memories while building foundational skills. Supporting this expansion felt like a natural extension of our belief in the power of play and its ability to shape confident, curious learners.”

The Esler Family's investment represents a major milestone in the Museum's capital campaign and brings the organization significantly closer to its $1.3 million goal. The project will enhance the visitor experience, strengthen educational offerings, and help ensure that future generations of children continue to discover, create, and explore through play at the Children's Museum at Saratoga.

For Museum admission details, memberships, and hours, visit https://cmssny.org/ or stop by the Museum at 65 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs.


About The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (CMAS). The Children’s Museum at Saratoga is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating an interactive community that inspires curiosity, sparks imagination, and nurtures discovery. The Museum is also committed to fostering active parent involvement in children’s learning, to serving as a resource for school districts in the region, and to ensuring that its programs and services are accessible to all children. https://cmssny.org.