Leonardo's History
Our History
Leonardo's Children's Museum was founded by Helen Mary Walker Garriott and Owen Garriott. As a result of their enthusiasm, generosity and leadership, a group of visionary community leaders formed the Enid Arts and Science Foundation in September of 1992. Many dedicated volunteers worked together to purchase, design and build an interactive center for children in our community.
Leonardo's Children's Museum, named after the famous fifteenth century artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, began classes in 1994 and celebrated its grand opening in September of 1995. Since then, approximately 70,000 to 80,000 guests have visited every year, making it one of Northwest Oklahoma's most popular destinations.
This great place was built as a hands-on art and science museum, dedicated to enriching and inspiring children of all ages by creating fun learning opportunities. Each day guests come and have the freedom of their creativity to inspire, explore, and become knowledgeable in the field of Arts & Sciences.
We continue to find new and exciting ways to fulfill our mission of "enriching and inspiring children of all ages by creating fun learning opportunities." Leonardo’s Children’s Museum strives to obtain educational tools, workshops, and exhibits that will ignite learning and creativity in our guests of all ages.
Every six months our museum receives a brand new exhibit that rotates throughout the five Oklahoma museums. Leonardo’s is partnered with The Oklahoma Museum Network funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This is a state-wide collaboration of five partner museums working together to provide hands-on discovery learning and science resources to families, students and educators across the state.
“Each partner museum in the Oklahoma Museum Network features interactive science exhibits that rotate twice a year, providing unique learning opportunities and new experiences. The OMN also provides the very best in teacher inquiry professional development, allowing educators to increase classroom effectiveness across the curriculum.” -- omn.sciencemuseumok.com
Leonardo's Children's Museum, named after the famous fifteenth century artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, began classes in 1994 and celebrated its grand opening in September of 1995. Since then, approximately 70,000 to 80,000 guests have visited every year, making it one of Northwest Oklahoma's most popular destinations.
This great place was built as a hands-on art and science museum, dedicated to enriching and inspiring children of all ages by creating fun learning opportunities. Each day guests come and have the freedom of their creativity to inspire, explore, and become knowledgeable in the field of Arts & Sciences.
We continue to find new and exciting ways to fulfill our mission of "enriching and inspiring children of all ages by creating fun learning opportunities." Leonardo’s Children’s Museum strives to obtain educational tools, workshops, and exhibits that will ignite learning and creativity in our guests of all ages.
Every six months our museum receives a brand new exhibit that rotates throughout the five Oklahoma museums. Leonardo’s is partnered with The Oklahoma Museum Network funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. This is a state-wide collaboration of five partner museums working together to provide hands-on discovery learning and science resources to families, students and educators across the state.
“Each partner museum in the Oklahoma Museum Network features interactive science exhibits that rotate twice a year, providing unique learning opportunities and new experiences. The OMN also provides the very best in teacher inquiry professional development, allowing educators to increase classroom effectiveness across the curriculum.” -- omn.sciencemuseumok.com
The Adventure Continues!
Adventure Quest, Enid's castle, is an outdoor science playground and a visible symbol of community pride and unity. It was made possible by over 12,000 volunteers donating more than 150,000 hours to its construction. It opened to the public in 1996.
Today, Leonardo's Children's Museum & Adventure Quest represent the very best Enid has to offer. Families are invited to learn, discover and play together!
Today, Leonardo's Children's Museum & Adventure Quest represent the very best Enid has to offer. Families are invited to learn, discover and play together!
Millions of New Smiles in 2017!
Leonardo’s began its multi-million dollar fundraising effort in 2011 and construction began in August 2015. Renovations include changes to both the exterior and interior of the Museum, as well as a new gathering space, store and ticketing area.
Some of the renovation highlights include new themes such as energy, health and technology to help children connect with the world around them, as well as industry icons that dominate the Oklahoma landscape such as oil derricks and pump jacks.
The Power Tower, a two-story climbing structure that demonstrates the importance of the oil and gas industry, is a featured exhibit where children can climb to the top and enjoy more in-depth energy related activities and then slide back down to the first floor.
Other new exhibits include a toddler area with a touch wall and interactives, a new animal habitat club house space that will feature graphics and information on the critters and a medical clinic sponsored by INTEGRIS Health and INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center that will feature a life-sized Operation game, x-rays and more.
Visitors will also enjoy the museums traveling exhibit space and re-imagined favorites such as Silage Beach, The Marketplace, Nano Technology, Circular Scales and the Create a Masterpiece Area on the second floor.
Some of the renovation highlights include new themes such as energy, health and technology to help children connect with the world around them, as well as industry icons that dominate the Oklahoma landscape such as oil derricks and pump jacks.
The Power Tower, a two-story climbing structure that demonstrates the importance of the oil and gas industry, is a featured exhibit where children can climb to the top and enjoy more in-depth energy related activities and then slide back down to the first floor.
Other new exhibits include a toddler area with a touch wall and interactives, a new animal habitat club house space that will feature graphics and information on the critters and a medical clinic sponsored by INTEGRIS Health and INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center that will feature a life-sized Operation game, x-rays and more.
Visitors will also enjoy the museums traveling exhibit space and re-imagined favorites such as Silage Beach, The Marketplace, Nano Technology, Circular Scales and the Create a Masterpiece Area on the second floor.
