A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
Encyclopedia
The A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village is an interactive children's museum located in Salem, Oregon
, United States
. This hands-on museum was named in honor of American
inventor Alfred Carlton Gilbert
and displays several of his inventions, most notably the Erector Set
. In fact, the Village is home to the world's largest Erector Set tower at 52 feet. Originally home to the National Toy Hall of Fame
, the museum sold the Hall of Fame to the Strong - National Museum of Play
in 2002.
Besides its interactive exhibits, the Discovery Village also provides summer camps, birthday party packages, and outreach programs.
The museum is housed in several historic Victorian
buildings, including the Andrew T. Gilbert House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP), and a 1998 replica of the Wilson-Durbin House, which was also NRHP-listed until it was destroyed by fire in 1990.
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This hands-on museum was named in honor of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
inventor Alfred Carlton Gilbert
Alfred Carlton Gilbert
Alfred Carlton Gilbert was an American inventor, athlete, toy-maker and businessman. Born in Salem, Oregon and died in Boston, Massachusetts, Gilbert is best known as the inventor of the Erector Set.-Early life:...
and displays several of his inventions, most notably the Erector Set
Erector Set
Erector Set is the trade name of a toy construction set that is popular in the United States.It consists of collections of small metal beams with regular holes for nuts, bolts, screws, and mechanical parts such as pulleys, gears, and small electric motors.The brand name is currently used for...
. In fact, the Village is home to the world's largest Erector Set tower at 52 feet. Originally home to the National Toy Hall of Fame
National Toy Hall of Fame
The National Toy Hall of Fame is an American hall of fame that recognizes the contributions of toys and games that have sustained their popularity for many years...
, the museum sold the Hall of Fame to the Strong - National Museum of Play
Strong - National Museum of Play
The National Museum of Play, formerly Strong National Museum of Play, is part of The Strong in Rochester, New York, USA. Established in 1969 and based initially on the personal collection of Rochester, NY native Margaret Woodbury Strong, the museum opened to the public in 1982...
in 2002.
Besides its interactive exhibits, the Discovery Village also provides summer camps, birthday party packages, and outreach programs.
The museum is housed in several historic Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
buildings, including the Andrew T. Gilbert House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP), and a 1998 replica of the Wilson-Durbin House, which was also NRHP-listed until it was destroyed by fire in 1990.
External links
- A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village homepage
- Historic photos of the Gilbert House from the University of Oregon digital archives