Tuscaloosa’s Children’s Hands-On Museum (CHOM), a downtown fixture for nearly four decades, will close its doors for the final time on August 1. The museum will transition into IGNITE at the Saban Center, a new learning hub focused on discovery, innovation, and lifelong learning.
The announcement launches a year-long campaign, “Celebrating 40 Years of CHOM’s History,” featuring monthly social media spotlights and sponsor tributes honoring the museum’s legacy.
“Since 1986, CHOM has been the iconic place in Tuscaloosa for children to have hands-on experiences, grow, and play,” said Board Chair Liz Obradovich. “We’ve been given an incredible opportunity to move to the Saban Center and rebrand as IGNITE. It is now time to announce that we will be closing CHOM, and I could not be more excited about our future.”
CHOM was founded in the early 1970s when Helene Warner Hibbard envisioned a children’s museum for Tuscaloosa. Partnering with Frances Alexander, she opened CHOM in 1986 in Smith Hall before the museum relocated to its current downtown location two years later, thanks in part to Mary Louise Armstrong’s purchase of the building.
“My mom loved CHOM and wanted to leave a legacy in my dad’s name, Cliff Armstrong,” recalled board member Pat Patton. “She loved visiting and seeing all the children playing. My grandkids also loved playing and learning at CHOM.”
The museum will remain open through the next year, inviting families to enjoy its exhibits one last time. A community celebration is being planned, with details to come.vztfr
Meanwhile, the search for IGNITE’s first executive director is underway, with applications open through September 21, 2025. IGNITE will feature maker spaces, digital media labs, and immersive science zones designed to blend STEM with the arts and inspire curiosity across generations.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
