About

About the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

Our Mission

The Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo expands access to nature and science education through community engagement and support of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ).

For more than 90 years, the JMZ has inspired children to explore science, nature, and the world around them through hands-on learning. Since the museum's earliest days, the Friends has partnered with the JMZ to help ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, discover, and belong—regardless of financial, physical, or cognitive barriers.

Today, the Friends serves as the JMZ's nonprofit partner, raising philanthropic support, fostering community partnerships, and investing in programs, exhibits, and experiences that make the museum and zoo more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for children and families throughout our community.

Growing Together Since 1934

The Friends and the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo have grown together for more than nine decades. What began as a small children's museum has evolved into a nationally recognized destination for hands-on science and nature education, thanks to the vision and generosity of volunteers, donors, staff, and community members. Throughout its history, the Friends has helped expand opportunities for children to learn through discovery while ensuring the JMZ remains welcoming and accessible to all.

1934 – The Junior Museum is founded by Josephine O'Hara in the basement of a local elementary school, becoming the first children's museum west of the Mississippi.

1962 – Community volunteers form the Associates of the Palo Alto Junior Museum to support museum exhibits and educational programs.

1969 – The Junior Museum expands to include a zoo featuring primarily native California wildlife.

1990 – The Associates reorganize as the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID #77-0296155), dedicated to supporting the programs, facilities, and future of the JMZ.

1999 – The Friends establishes the Science Outreach Program, bringing hands-on science education to elementary students in the Ravenswood City School District. The program continues to serve thousands of students each year.

2010 – The Friends launches Super Family Sundays, creating welcoming museum experiences for families with children with disabilities.

2012 – Planning begins for a reimagined Junior Museum & Zoo through a collaborative design process involving CAW Architects, Portico Design Group, JMZ staff, and the community.

2017 – The Friends completes a successful capital campaign, raising more than $25 million to help rebuild the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo.

2018 – Construction begins on the new JMZ.

2021 – The reimagined Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo reopens, welcoming a new generation of children and families with expanded exhibits, enhanced accessibility, and engaging spaces designed for learners of all abilities.

2023 – The California Dinosaur Garden opens. Funded in part by the Friends, this project transformed the former Dawn Redwood Courtyard into an immersive exploration of California during the Cretaceous period. 

2026 – The Rainbow Tunnel opens. This publicly accessible exhibit funded by the Friends reflects our mission to expand access to hands-on science learning beyond the museum walls.

Transparency & Governance

The Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo is committed to responsible stewardship, accountability, and transparency.

• Annual Report– View our current Annual Report.