Knoxville families can look forward to a dramatically larger children’s museum as Muse Knoxville unveils plans to multiply its current space nearly sixfold. The expansion, slated to open in summer 2028, will move the museum into the historic Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park and add roughly 57,100 sq ft of exhibit, educational and accessibility space, according to KNOXTN Today.
The museum’s “Grow with Me” capital campaign targets $50 million to fund the renovation and new exhibits. Approximately $33 million has already been committed or pledged, including a $25 million gift from the Clayton Family Foundation. The overall project value is estimated at $83.2 million, which incorporates $33.2 million in estimated in‑kind value from the city’s long‑term lease of the Jacob Building for $1 per year.
New exhibit designs will let children explore construction, engineering, transportation, aviation, space, energy and Tennessee waterways. Planned features include a large climbing structure, an interactive modular home and spaces that encourage imagination and collaboration. The expanded museum will also serve a broader age range, adding programs for middle and high school students, and increasing camps, field trips and other educational offerings.
Demand for space is already evident. Muse Knoxville reported that during the 2025‑26 school year it turned away field‑trip requests from ten East Tennessee school districts because its current facility could not accommodate them. The additional square footage will allow the museum to meet that unmet need and deepen connections between classroom lessons and hands‑on discovery.
Affordability will remain a priority. Through the “Muse for All” initiative, families receiving Tennessee government assistance can purchase an annual family membership for $35, compared with the standard $160 price. The museum also offers scholarships for qualifying schools, free family nights on the fourth Friday of each month, and partnerships aimed at reaching underserved communities.
“Our commitment to keeping learning accessible will not change,” museum officials said, emphasizing that the expansion is intended to broaden opportunity without raising barriers for low‑income families.
Community support for the project has come from foundations, businesses, government agencies and individual donors, reflecting a regional investment in children’s education.
What’s next: Muse Knoxville will continue fundraising through the Grow with Me campaign and will provide updates on construction milestones as the project progresses toward its 2028 opening.
Sources: knoxtntoday.com, hyperlocalloop.com
