There’s a new place in town we thought you should know about—particularly if you have or know someone who has a child between the ages of 1-11. It’s called Playseum, and it’s where memories are meant to be created, according to founder and owner Gina Seebachan. Using the tag line: Be With Me, Playseum is a multi-roomed building on Ocean Gateway containing 29 themed areas, with some areas representing the Eastern Shore.
The idea for an interactive family place came into existence following her mother’s death, when Seebachan realized the importance of making memories with your children and not just sitting on the sidelines watching them do sports, dance, have play dates, etc. At Playseum, each area is designed to create a moment to connect with whoever brought them, be it a parent, grandparent, or caregiver. Some of these areas include an Italian restaurant where children can make pretend pizza or pasta, a grocery store, a barbershop, a grandmother’s house, and a doctor’s office, to name just a few. Seebachan also wanted to give homage to Maryland, so she included a Chesapeake Bay room where kids can step up on the balcony of a “St. Michael’s lighthouse” or get into a real full-size fishing boat and pretend to catch fake crabs. There is also a one-room schoolhouse, a salute to native son Frederick Douglass, who stressed the importance of education that he was denied.
When you go, plan on spending a couple of hours exploring. Each area in the building is purposefully small and meant for one family at a time to interact and roleplay with their children. “The best thing parents usually tell me,” Seebachan says, “is that their kid is not begging to go somewhere else when they leave. They’re satisfied; their tank is filled. And when I ask parents why, they realize it’s because they were physically, mentally, and emotionally present with them.”
One area that may come as a surprise is the Pet Shop. And it’s not just a pretend one. There are live animals, including a rabbit, a bearded dragon, and frogs. Seebachan realized, as she thought about the Playseum concept, that kids can learn from animals, not just their habitats, but also how to be gentle. There was nowhere, she thought, where you could go and be with and touch an animal. “So I figured we could find animals that people didn’t want, train or raise them to want to be petted and loved, and then just let kids love on them.”
For example, one of the animals in the pet shop is an uncaged flying bird with quite a story to tell. Many years ago, Seebachan bought two doves, which unfortunately flew out of the house when a door was accidentally left open. Seebachan’s children were sad and decided to name them Hope and Faith, believing they would return. And after three days, they did. Faith passed away a couple of years ago, but Hope is still going strong and charming visitors.
As to why Seebachan decided to open in Easton, that too is a story of faith and hope. The idea came about while on a trip to the Eastern Shore. At the time, Seebachan had a Playseum in Annapolis, and as she enjoyed being a tourist in St. Michaels, she had a thought that the area could use one of her stores. I need a clear sign, she told her husband, that this was what I needed to do.
“Two days later,” said Seebachan, “the first customer who walked into the Annapolis store said she had just driven over the bridge. It caught my attention. ‘I came all the way from Easton,’ she said. ‘I wanted to come here for over a year, but I couldn’t come until today.’ The very next day, two different families came from over the bridge. One I specifically remember was a guy from Cambridge. He came up to me and said, ‘please build one in Easton.’ I got my clear sign, and the rest is history.”
Besides the play areas, Seebachan is also prepared for a child wanting to take home the experience. To help that happen, there is a toy store as you first walk in that contains much, if not all, of what is available to play with at the Playseum.
We couldn’t help mentioning that it was great for Easton to have a place dedicated to children. Seebachan responded, “I believe that what we have is a service that every family needs. Something that every community should have. It’s not about educating. It’s not about babysitting. It’s also not about entertaining. It’s about us being facilitators, to helping parents create memories with their kids.”
The Playseum is open every day and is located at 7871 Ocean Gateway. For hours and more information, go to: www.playseum.com/eastonplayseum.
