North Country Children’s Museum, Potsdam, NY

In 2022, Blue Rhino Design was engaged to design a second-floor expansion for the North Country Children’s Museum, housed in a historic late-1800s bunkhouse. The 3,500-sq-ft addition extends the museum’s original spirit while deepening connections to the culture and landscape of New York’s North Country.

Developed through strong community collaboration, the design reflects the region’s character and craftsmanship. At its heart stands the Maple Climber, a sculptural structure inviting children to scale its branches while exploring local stories and natural science themes. Addie’s Opera House invites children into the magic of live performance, where they run the show from spotlight to backstage, discovering every role that brings a production to life. A winding “trail” of exhibits explores physics and the environment through hands-on activities such as an air cannon, cloud maker, animal-eye viewfinder, and bike-wheel gyroscope. Built by local Amish carpenters, the Amish House exhibit authentically showcases traditional design and construction.

The new expansion opened in August 2025, enriching NCCM’s mission to inspire curiosity through play rooted in place.