It’s long been proven that crafting and creating has a number of benefits for young children. From improving fine motor and critical thing skills to increasing self-esteem, learning to make things from a young age can foster a love of STEM and the arts and even help inspire future career choices.
Earlier this year, Hancock Lumber posted about the company’s sponsorship of a new “Makerspace” exhibit for the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), located in Portland.
The exhibit is a continuation of a philanthropic relationship spanning more than 20 years, according to Hancock Lumber. For the past several years, the company—which was founded in 1848 and operates multiple locations in Maine and New Hampshire—sponsored the “Tree to Timber” exhibit in the former museum space, an interactive display that educated guests about forestry management, sawmilling, and how eastern white pine sawlogs are used to create boards + by-products.
Hancock has worked with CMTM through a number of transitions, from moving to its original location on Free Street to its current location on Thompson’s Point Road, to navigating COVID-19 and reopening to the public.

“Hancock Lumber knew we wanted to continue our partnership with the museum as they transitioned into their new space,” said Erin Plummer, Chief Marketing Officer for Hancock Lumber. “Our teams worked collaboratively and landed on the Makerspace WoodWorks exhibit sponsorship. Today, seeing children engaged in the space, working hands-on with various tools and materials, and learning new skills reinforces what an incredible resource the museum is for visitors of all ages.”
The new Makerspace features a variety of craft supplies such as fabrics and wood, as well as tools such as safety glasses, pliers, glue guns, and hammers. Children can also wear co-branded aprons provided by Hancock while working in the WoodWorks area. The aim of the space is to foster creativity for children while introducing them to new skills and interests in a safe environment.
Plummer said in many cases, students aren’t exposed to these types of tools until middle school during electives like shop class and woodworking. She said allowing children to interact with building materials and get comfortable with those tools early on can help introduce them to skills and possibly careers in the LBM industry they may not otherwise have gravitated towards. Plummer said it’s important to educate students about the trades, such as finish carpentry and construction, to expand their options after secondary education. “Being a professional builder is an impressive trade requiring a high level of skill, creativity, hands-on expertise, building science knowledge, relationship building, and problem solving,” Plummer said.
“Taking plans from paper to finished projects takes a high level of expertise and coordination—the level of pre-construction planning and management of subcontractors, along with running the business itself is impressive. We love to celebrate all the opportunities in the industry and hopefully influence people of all ages in the process. That’s the fun of it for us—planting seeds early on to see what grows.”
The museum also features a number of exhibits designed to help educate about ecosystems in Maine as well as STEM subjects and arts. Julie Butcher Pezzino, executive director for CMTM, said the museum’s partnership with Hancock has been valuable for both children and the community.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Hancock Lumber team for their ongoing support and creative philanthropic spirit, which truly hits the nail on the head! From sponsoring our Tree to Timber exhibit on Free Street to naming and providing resources for WoodWorks in our new MakerSpace at Thompson’s Point, their dedication enriches hands-on tactile experiences for young learners, including our new Art for Tots program. Their recent donation of size-appropriate aprons for makers and volunteers working in the space underscores the importance of fostering a safe and engaging environment for children to explore the wonders of working with tools and wood. Partnerships like the one we have with Hancock Lumber help create the building blocks for a lifetime of discovery and play.”