Child-Friendly Arts Available in Gadsden

The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, the downtown Gadsden home to the projects of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation, offers family activities throughout the year.

Located on the corner of Fifth and Broad Streets, with convenient free parking adjacent to the main entrance, the facility has recently been fully renovated and provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

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🖼️ A Gallery for All Ages

The ground level features several free-admission areas, including a gallery that hosts nationally touring fine art exhibitions that rotate quarterly. Beyond the gallery, a large permanent installation of cigar box guitars includes examples of a wide variety of guitars. From primitive single-string designs to elaborate full six-string instruments, the ingenuity and creativity of the guitars intrigue visitors.

The centerpiece of the facility is an elaborate model railroad diorama of Gadsden as it was in the late 1940s. The seventy-two-foot-long model showcases Gadsden’s downtown, industries of the time, and includes working railroads running on multiple lines. Historic photos with descriptions accompany the model and give context to the diorama.

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🧸 Imagination Place Children's Museum

The main draw for visitors to the Hardin Center is Imagination Place Children’s Museum, located within the facility. The main children’s area covers both the ground floor and a mezzanine level. Children will delight in Kidstown USA, a child-size town where they can let their imaginations run wild as they pretend they are fulfilling adult roles in the grocery store, bank, hospital, diner, road construction site, and the farm.

There is also an area that changes throughout the year and offers more outlets for children’s boundless energy.

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🎟️ Accessibility, Amenities & Extras

Admission to the children’s museum is:

• $8 per person (ages 2-100)

• Free for children under 24 months

• $2 per person (up to six people) for families presenting EBT cards

Memberships are available and include free unlimited admission. The museum also offers free reciprocal admission to members of other museums participating in the ASTC Passport program. Visitors are permitted to leave the facility and return the same day with their original admission sticker, making it easy to visit other nearby galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Vending machines are available, and several restaurants are located within walking distance. The Hardin Center welcomes families to utilize both their indoor and outdoor seating for snacks, picnics, or restaurant takeout. A dual electric vehicle charging station is located in the rear parking lot. The facility is fully accessible, offers changing tables in restrooms, and provides a sensory room for visitors who may feel overwhelmed by the active spaces.

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🧑‍🎨 Make It a Full Day of Fun

Whether your kids want to play pretend in Kidstown USA, marvel at the model train diorama, or explore the rotating art exhibits, the Hardin Center is a must-visit for families. It's conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Gadsden, making it easy to pair your museum visit with a stroll, shopping, or a treat from a local restaurant.

For more information, visit culturalarts.org, call (256) 543-ARTS, email [email protected], or follow @hardincenter on social media.

By Tom Banks