Stamford Museum and Nature Center
Encyclopedia
The Stamford Museum and Nature Center, located in Stamford
, Connecticut
, is an art, history, nature and agricultural sciences museum. The property covers 118 acres (ca. 48 hectares) beginning about 1/2 mile north of the Merritt Parkway
and was originally a private estate.
estate. The mansion on the estate, which now functions as gallery and museum space, was built for Bendel, a New York designer and department store
owner. Designed in the late 1920s by architect Perry Barker in a Tudor style, it features lead-framed glass windows, half-timbered walls, gargoyles, a slate roof and multiple chimneys. The mansion and property are open to the public. In addition to the mansion, property includes Bendel Lake, a working farm, and a nature center.
Additionally, there are minor facilities at the museum.
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, is an art, history, nature and agricultural sciences museum. The property covers 118 acres (ca. 48 hectares) beginning about 1/2 mile north of the Merritt Parkway
Merritt Parkway
The Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
and was originally a private estate.
Facilities
The museum property was the former Henri Willis BendelHenri Willis Bendel
Henri Willis Bendel was an American businessman, fashion designer, and philanthropist who founded an upscale women's fashion company bearing his name in New York City, which more than 100 years later remains in business on Fifth Avenue, one of the premier shopping streets in the world.-Early...
estate. The mansion on the estate, which now functions as gallery and museum space, was built for Bendel, a New York designer and department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
owner. Designed in the late 1920s by architect Perry Barker in a Tudor style, it features lead-framed glass windows, half-timbered walls, gargoyles, a slate roof and multiple chimneys. The mansion and property are open to the public. In addition to the mansion, property includes Bendel Lake, a working farm, and a nature center.
- Heckscher Farm: a 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) working farm with barns, a maple sugarMaple sugarMaple sugar is a traditional sweetener in the northeastern United States and Canada, prepared from the sap of the sugar maple tree.-Preparation:...
house, organicOrganic horticultureOrganic horticulture is the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants by following the essential principles of organic agriculture in soil building and conservation, pest management, and heirloom variety preservation....
vegetable garden, open pastures, a chicken coopChicken coopA chicken coop is a building where female chickens are kept. Inside there are often nest boxes for egg laying and perches on which the birds can sleep, although coops for meat birds seldom have either of these features....
, pig pen and many heritage breeds of farm animals to include non-indigenous llamas, alpacas and burros. The museum's collections focus on New EnglandNew EnglandNew England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
natural historyNatural historyNatural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
, 19th and 20th century American artAmerican ArtAmerican Art is the debut album of the band Weatherbox. It was released on May 8, 2007 on Doghouse Records. The album received critical acclaim from several sources including underground music distribution company Smartpunk, who lauded the band's style:...
, farming implements, and American and Native American art and culture. In addition to exhibits based on its collections, the museum features a variety of outside exhibits each year. From December 15, 1984 to February 23, 1985, there was an exhibit titled "American Art: American Women". - Overbrook Nature Center and Trails: focused around a little building that contains an interactive exhibit area with small local animals and a classroom for young student groups, the nature center also extends to the various outdoor trails covering 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) of the center's property, with the trails at the north end connecting to the 88 acres (356,123.7 m²) Bartlett ArboretumBartlett Arboretum and GardensThe Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens contains 91 acres of parkland, gardens, landscapes, and hiking trails, that focus on the regional plants, ecology and character of Southwestern New England. The Arboretum is open and accessible to the public every day of the year. It is located at 151 Brookdale...
.
Additionally, there are minor facilities at the museum.
- Edith & Robert Graham Otter Pond: an outdoor pool habitat for two river otters, Robert and Edie.
- Wheels in the Woods Trail #7: a nature trail designed to be universally accessible by people of all abilities, which leads along Poorhouse Brook.
- Observatory: a four-story observatoryObservatoryAn observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
, which houses a 22 inches (558.8 mm) reflecting telescopeTelescopeA telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
and is used for research (primarily of binary star systems) by the Fairfield County Astronomical Society (FCAS). For a modest fee the public may view planets and nebulae through the main telescope on Friday evenings from 8 to 10 PM, weather permitting. It is located behind the Heckscher Farm just off Scofieldtown Road, and parking spaces are plentiful. On the second Tuesday of most months the F.C.A.S. conducts membership meetings which are open and free to the public. They typically feature a guest lecturer or astronomy documentary. - Planetarium: a planetariumPlanetariumA planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
is located in the Bendel Museum building and is open to the public on the second Sunday of each month at 3 P.M. A modest admission fee applies here as well. - Nature's Playground: a large playgroundPlaygroundA playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
deliberately designed for children to have an animal perspective on nature.
External links
- Stamford Museum & Nature Center (official site)