Stamford Museum & Nature Center Open Knobloch Family Farmhouse

STAMFORD, CT - From Stamford Museum & Nature Center: November 1 marked the completion of the Knobloch Family Farmhouse, the first major addition to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center’s 118-acre campus in 50 years. Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Stamford Mayor David R. Martin, area legislators and community leaders joined SM&NC President and CEO Melissa H. Mulrooney, and representatives of the SM&NC’s Campaign for Future Generations to celebrate the museum’s historic occasion.

The Knobloch Family Farmhouse

Named after the Knobloch family, brothers Carl and Bill Knobloch grew up visiting the SM&NC and became long-time friends and supporters of the museum. After the passing of Carl Knobloch last year, his legacy and generosity lives on through the Carl J. Knobloch Family Foundation.

“The heart of the Knobloch Family Farmhouse is education. Children and adults in the city, state, and the region can now enjoy educational programming year-round,” said Melissa H. Mulrooney, Executive Director and CEO of the SM&NC. “The Knobloch family’s legacy and support will impact our campus now and for generations to come.”

The 4,000-square-foot Farmhouse includes an indoor gathering space for nature and agricultural experiential learning, an overlook terrace with views of the SM&NC’s existing landscape and pastures of Heckscher Farm, as well as a large multi-purpose room and mobile teaching kitchen. The Maple Sugar and Cidering House was also rebuilt and relocated adjacent to the Farmhouse with an expectation of creating an additional 13 percent growth in programming – complementing the traditions of a working New England farm. The Farmhouse also provides a teaching environment for the SM&NC’s successful Aligned-With-Our-Schools-Program, which has increased by 300 percent, serving 33,350 school-age children.

It is projected that the Farmhouse will produce a 58 percent growth in educational service within the first three years of its opening to the public. Larger groups can gather in all weather conditions for lectures, demonstrations and hands-on learning. It will also serve as a central area for food options on festival weekends.

To celebrate the opening of the Farmhouse, the museum invites the public to join the Farmhouse Festival on Sunday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include:

· Live music
· Games
· The annual chili cook-off
· Seasonal arts and crafts
· Storytelling
· Face painting
· Photobooth
· Apple cidering and slingshot
· Fall scavenger hunt
· Llama trekking
· Farm animal and Hecksher Wild! Demonstrations
· Food trucks, home-baked donuts, pies and other treats

The Campaign for Future Generations

In addition to the Knobloch Family Farmhouse, the SM&NC is planning to build another key addition to the campus. A new Astronomy & Physical Science Center will complete the SM&NC’s visionary master plan to build future capacity for the museum’s educational and public spaces.

In order to complete these projects, the SM&NC initiated a capital campaign, The Campaign for Future Generations. Combined, the Environmental Education Farmhouse and Astronomy and Physical Science Center amount to a $15 million investment and so far, the SM&NC has raised about $9.5M of the necessary funding.

“The Knobloch Family Farmhouse and Astronomy & Physical Science Center will completely transform the SM&NC, expanding capacity for over 200,000 visitors each year. My wife Carol and I are proud to chair a campaign that will create a major impact for the region,” said Michael Fedele, Chair, The Campaign for Future Generations. “We’re so grateful for all of the support we’ve received so far from individual donors, corporations, foundations, the state and the city and are proud to open the Farmhouse on time and on budget. Now we are looking forward to continued support as we work to build the Science Center to expand necessary programming.”

At 8,000-square-feet, the Astronomy and Physical Science Center will combine and expand the SM&NC Observatory with a full planetarium and create a new signature venue on the property. The facility will feature three levels that include the Planetarium auditorium, a science lab and a public outdoor viewing deck with steps leading into a 40-foot aluminum dome that will house a 22-inch research telescope. It will also serve as a center for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and astronomy and math) education, supporting the Connecticut State standards and the new Generation Science Standards.

In addition to providing the Stamford community with more programming, the Farmhouse and Science Center are expected to generate more than 100 jobs and generate more than $23 million in economic activity.

About the Stamford Museum & Nature Center
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is located on a beautiful 118-acre campus in North Stamford and is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art, natural and agricultural sciences and history. Open to the community since 1936, the SM&NC is a vital cultural and educational resource, as well as a focal point for family activity and interaction for children and adults in the city, state and region. The SM&NC seeks to inspire creativity, foster self-discovery, promote environmental stewardship and nurture appreciation for lifelong learning through exhibitions, educational programs and special events that enhance the visitor’s experience. For more information, please visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.

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