[1] The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine was founded by the Junior of Portland in 1970, opening in just a few rooms in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.

In 1991 a capital campaign was launched, and two years later in 1993 the Museum opened to the public in a grand new home, the former Chamber of Commerce building on Free Street in downtown Portland.

After many months of developing a new brand, the new "kitetails" logo was revealed in April 2009 at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine Annual Auction.

Shortly afterwards, the rainy month of July 2009 crippled many businesses in Portland but the Museum & Theatre thrived and welcomed over 14,000 visitors.

The 2009-2010 theatre season began with Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like and included The Polar Express at Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, The Emperor's New Clothes, Cinderella and The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings.