Phase II Planetarium & Astronomy Center Underway
On the morning of May 23, 2023, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center officially broke ground on the Phase II Planetarium & Astronomy Center, joined by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and Senator Dick Blumenthal. Afterward, CEO Melissa H. Mulrooney and Michael Fedele, Co-Chair of The Campaign for Future Generations, shared the details of our long-range vision.
The 11,000-square-foot facility will reinvigorate a core pillar of the SM&NC’s Mission and bring our organization’s Planetarium and Observatory programs under the same roof for the first time in our 89-year history. Astronomy programming has long been a Mission signature ever since our first astronomy classes were held in 1941. They continue to this day, and will abound in the years to come.
Phase II Planetarium & Astronomy Center Underway
On the morning of May 23, 2023, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center officially broke ground on the Phase II Planetarium & Astronomy Center, joined by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and Senator Dick Blumenthal. Afterward, CEO Melissa H. Mulrooney and Michael Fedele, Co-Chair of The Campaign for Future Generations, shared the details of our long-range vision.
The 11,000-square-foot facility will reinvigorate a core pillar of the SM&NC’s Mission and bring our organization’s Planetarium and Observatory programs under the same roof for the first time in our 89-year history. Astronomy programming has long been a Mission signature ever since our first astronomy classes were held in 1941. They continue to this day, and will abound in the years to come.
Capital fundraising efforts for our Planetarium & Astronomy Center march on.
We are honored to be leading the Campaign for Future Generations. Our Phase I Knobloch Family Farmhouse complex illustrates the power of a public-private partnership with leadership gifts from individuals and companies, City of Stamford capital support, to the pacesetting investment from the State of Connecticut. The new Farmhouse complex opened November 1, 2018 and has become an extraordinary feature on Heckscher Farm.
The Astronomy Center will bring together our Planetarium and our new Observatory with state-of-the-art equipment for the first time in our history and present a comprehensive STEAM curriculum and dynamic public programming for all ages. This 10,600 square foot state-of-the-art complex features a 40-foot diameter Planetarium dome, a flat-floor 100-seat theatre with articulating seats, an Observatory with a motorized roll-back roof, open air deck, and a suite of telescopes with solar and lunar capabilities. In addition, there are two classrooms, scenic outdoor terraces, an elevator and ADA compliant facilities, a lobby gallery and gift shop.
The time to invest is now. We invite you to contribute to the Campaign for Future Generations, an endeavor that promises profound results — engaging, entertaining, and educating thousands of learners of all ages, as well as being an economic asset for the City of Stamford, our schools, and the State of Connecticut. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has been a vital cultural and nature-based centerpiece for Stamford, Fairfield County, and the State for 87 years. Join with us and contribute to ensure that this exceptional resource will flourish for generations to come.
Your support will be gratefully received and deeply appreciated.
Carol and Michael Fedele
Phase One Recap: The Knobloch Family Farmhouse A gathering space for educational classes and cultural programming.
For the first time in over five decades, SM&NC has opened a brand new building – the Knobloch Family Farmhouse – with a prime focus on educational programming. The Knobloch Family Farmhouse is an immediate capacity-builder to develop a suite of new signature programs, with projected 58% growth in educational service in our first three years. The Farmhouse will be the first education building addition to the property in 50 years and will serve our highly successful SM&NC-Aligned-With-Our-Schools curriculum, family, camp, and adult enrichment programs at an iconic location overlooking the pastures of Heckscher Farm.
The Knobloch Family Farmhouse will be central hub and vital indoor gathering space to grow nature and agricultural experiential learning on-site in colder months. The Fedele Family Farmhouse Plaza creates a home base gathering space for the Explorers Full Day Camp to build upon 3rd-7th grade camp, which will have weekly day-trip components. We will accommodate expanded general scout programs with overnight programs added to our repertoire.
We will present workshops, lectures, and hands-on learning that enhances their knowledge and teaching skills modeled after Shelburne Farms, the Farm-Based Education Network (FBEN) conference, and Northeast Environmental Education Association (NEEEA) annual conference. Stamford is very well suited for this because of its central location between Boston and New York and its variety of accommodations for visitors.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Knobloch Family Farmhouse
Videos
Architectural Firm wins 2019 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Connecticut Design Award for Stamford Museum & Nature Center Knobloch Family Farmhouse
Architectural firm, TSKP Studio of Hartford Conn. has received a 2019 AIA Connecticut Design Award of Merit for their design of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s Knobloch Family Farmhouse, which opened less than a year ago in November 2018.
“We are incredibly proud of Whit Iglehart and the TSKP team for their extraordinary vision for our Knobloch Family Farmhouse,” said Melissa H. Mulrooney, Executive Director & CEO of SM&NC. “This highly functional Farmhouse complex blends effortlessly and elegantly into our forested landscape and the charm of our beloved Heckscher Farm.”
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s award-winning Farmhouse is the first new building to be constructed at the SM&NC in 50 years, and now provides educational spaces, visitor services, and a secondary entrance to the 118-acre site. The Farmhouse features a rustic multipurpose Great Room, professional Catering Kitchen, state-of-the-art audio visual system, and a 1,000 square foot Overlook Terrace cantilevered over the north pasture of the historic Heckscher Farm.
New construction also includes a Sugar House + Cidery, a redesigned 158-space lighted parking lot, and additional outdoor gathering spaces with the Farmhouse Plaza, Millstone Fountain, and an outdoor classroom called the Council Ring. To view a 360-degree virtual tour of the Knobloch Family Farmhouse, visit www.stamfordmuseum.org/venues.
Awards presented by AIA Connecticut celebrate the accomplishments of Connecticut architects and the excellence of Connecticut architectural projects. Recipients will be honored at an awards gala on December 9, 2019.
Leadership
Capital Campaign Steering Committee
Michael & Carol Fedele
Capital Campaign Chairs
Douglas L. York, Ph.D.
President, Board of Directors
Harry Day
President Emeritus
Karen M. Kelly
Vice President, Board of Directors
Todd Wood
Board of Directors
Melissa H. Mulrooney
Chief Executive Officer
SM&NC Board of Directors
Douglas L. York, Ph.D.
President
Karen M. Kelly
Vice President
Mary Fedeli
Vice President
Kathleen DeCruze
Treasurer
Daniel L. Schwartz
Secretary
Kate Bally
Sarah Bull
Maureen Cacace
Colin Campbell
Frank Cerasoli
Lynn Villency Cohen
Lynne Colatrella
Harry Day President Emeritus
Tammy Felenstein
Keith Friedman
J. Todd Gambino
Ellen Komar
Jason C. Putter
Dr. Pauline Rauh
Jameson Riley
Robert Stoddard
Todd Wood
Founding Investors
The Honorable Ned Lamont, The Honorable Dannel P. Malloy and the State of Connecticut and the Department of Economic & Community Development
The Honorable Caroline Simmons, The Honorable David R. Martin and the City of Stamford
Aquarion Water Company • The Campbell Family & Ring’s End Lumber • Frank & Kristen Cerasoli • Lynn Villency Cohen & Stephen A. Cohen • Joanna & Tony D’Amelio • Harry Day & The Day Family Foundation • Kathleen & Thomas DeCruze • Carole & Joseph Dell’Aquila • Nicola & Denise Doria • The Honorable Michael & Carol Fedele • Dennis & Maria Fedele • Mary Fedeli • Fidelity Foundation • First County Bank • First County Bank Foundation • Scott & Icy Frantz • Richard & Nancy Freedman • Gartner, Inc • The Goodnow Fund • Karen M. Kelly • Knobloch Family Foundation • Norman & Nina Lotstein • Frank & Maria Lovello • Matthew & Tausha Menaquale • Stacey Bond Miller • Melissa H. Mulrooney • Sonja & Von Narcisse • OdysseyRe • The Orchard Farm Foundation • The Per & Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation • Robert & Patricia Phillips • Dr. Pauline S. Rauh, Ed.D. • The Rogers Family Foundation • Katherine & Peter Sachs • Daniel & Zoe Schwartz • Arthur & Betsey Selkowitz • Marsha J. Shendell • Richard Silver • The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation • Stamford Hospital Foundation • Transamerica • The Umbrella Club of Stamford • The Velaj Foundation • Douglas L. York & Edward Guyer
With special thanks to the Elliot & Roslyn Jaffe Family for their enduring support of the Heckscher Farm Gathering Terrace.
Schedule an Appointment to Learn More!
To schedule an appointment to hear more about The Campaign for Future Generations, please contact Liz Sabia, Capital Campaign and Executive Office Administrator, LSabia@stamfordmuseum.org or (203) 977-6545.