Downtown Hillsboro will be the new home of a hands-on interactive children’s museum starting in 2025.
The FLIP Museum was founded in 2021 by a group of parents, and child advocates, who were determined to fill the gap left by the closure of the Portland Children’s Museum. Since that time, they have been creating accessible, inclusive pop-up spaces for children and families throughout Washington County.
The FLIP Museum currently functions as a mobile museum, primarily throughout Washington County, and will be geared toward children ages 0 to 10 — with all ages welcome.
The new permanent location in Downtown Hillsboro, and the Cultural Arts District, supports FLIP's goals to provide interactive exhibits, opportunities for artists, and community programming that reflects the diverse needs and interest of families in Hillsboro.
Exhibits at The FLIP Museum will include a variety of experience-based play in art, STEM, and cultural experiences.
Curated play activities will be both fun and designed to help build community and connections. Children can experiment while gaining confidence, social/emotional skills, and development through play.
Connection to Community
The FLIP Museum will attract youth and families, creative professionals, visitors, and a diverse range of talent to Hillsboro, enhancing the city’s cultural and economic vitality. The FLIP Museum has over 30 community partners, strong support from families across the region, and a history of collaboration and impact in Hillsboro.
“Over the past two years, The FLIP Mobile Museum has been really well received by the community in Hillsboro,” said Jack Graham, founder of The FLIP Museum. “We’ve been working with the Hillsboro School District and cultural arts organizations, and we are excited to expand those partnerships with an indoor museum.”
Request for Proposals
In August 2024, the City of Hillsboro put out a request for proposal for the sublease of the 7,000+ square feet of storefront of the Terrace Plaza Building located on 3rd Avenue in Downtown Hillsboro.
The City’s request for proposal saw several strong applications, with each applicant proposing unique benefits to Hillsboro’s quality of life and community-driven goals.
The FLIP Museum’s proposal was ultimately chosen for the space.
“FLIP will draw thousands of visitors of all-ages to Downtown," said Bridie Harrington, Cultural Arts District Manager for the City of Hillsboro. "Visitors will have meaningful creative and learning experiences, and have the opportunity to explore local restaurants, coffee shops, stores, galleries, theatres, and parks. We’re thrilled for them to grow strong roots in Hillsboro.”
In addition, The FLIP Museum accomplishes one of Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan’s initiatives to have a full-service children’s museum as a destination attraction.
While The FLIP Museum will cater to Hillsboro community members, the space will be accessible to people from all over the region and is expected to welcome more than 40,000 visitors a year.
In the coming months, The FLIP Museum will renovate the space, seek out volunteers, and launch a fundraising campaign to support its educational work.
The sub-lease of the Terrace Plaza Building is pending approval from the City of Hillsboro Finance Committee and City Council.
Learn more about The FLIP Museum at www.flipmuseum.org