Every year, the Museum’s Facilities team chooses a few major projects to focus on that enhance visitor experience, and keep the Museum bright and welcoming. 2025 and 2026 were special years however, with opportunities to execute several long-overdue capital improvements to the Museum’s facility.
Improving Interior Spaces Updates:
The Facilities and Operations teams continued their commitment to thoughtful improvements through the Museum’s non-visitor facing spaces, with projects that support our staff and strengthen our connection to our tenants.
In the Business Lobby, the team introduced a new annual Collections and photography display, creating an opportunity to share artifacts with our tenants and those visiting the Museum offices. Each year, the display will highlight a different aspect of the Collection, often connected to a significant event or theme in Boston. The 2026 display celebrates the Museum’s maritime history and the return of the Tall Ships to Boston Harbor. It features antique ship models, scrimshaw, and items found by Boston sailors, fishermen, and whalers. The rotating display adds new interest to the Business Lobby, while showcasing the depth and breadth of the Museum’s Collection.
The Operations team also responded to staff feedback gathered through a Human Resources survey by renovating a fourth-floor space to create a dedicated wellness and lactation room. The project was completed within the fiscal year and provides employees with a private, comfortable space to support their well-being during the workday.
These projects reflect the Operations team’s commitment to continually improving the Museum’s interior spaces and responding to the evolving needs of both our staff and tenants.
Bathroom Renovations:
The last time the Museum updated our visitor bathrooms was 2006. The construction of the Dream It! Build It! exhibit offered the opportunity to completely refresh the bathrooms connected to that space on the third floor. The Museum also chose to renovate the second floor bathrooms at the same time. New fixtures, finishes, and flooring were added, and accessibility was improved.
Guest experience was front of mind for the bathroom refresh. Going to the bathroom alone can be a little scary for kids who are still getting used to it, so murals associated with the theme of nearby exhibits were added to make the bathrooms as welcoming as possible. Safe baby seats were also added to give parents a little bit more peace (and peace of mind) when using the restroom themselves.
As a young visitor was recently heard saying: “These bathrooms are epic!”
Exterior Painting — Elevator and Harborwalk:
Several of the Museum’s most prominent exterior features needed attention after years of exposure to weather. This year, we were proud to bring several long-awaited projects to fruition, improving both the appearance and safety of these important public-facing elements.
Repainting the Museum’s exterior steel elevator structure had been on the Facilities Capital Plan for nearly a decade. The project was complex, requiring specialized preparation and coating to ensure it remained fire rated and protected from the elements. After considerable effort to identify the right partner within the available budget, the project was finally completed this year.
The Museum also gave its Harborwalk railing a much-needed refresh. After years without a full repaint, the railing was thoroughly cleaned and painted, restoring its vibrancy and creating a brighter, more welcoming presence along the waterfront.
The Facilities team continues to identify areas of the Museum building and property where updates both big and small will enhance visitor experience, and keep the institution feeling fun and welcoming.
