GRAFTON-The Nature Museum is launching the Pavilion Project, a capital campaign to build an outdoor teaching space at the museum's four-acre site in Grafton. The campaign goal of $200,000 will support construction of the pavilion, accessible parking, walkways, and landscaping. The pavilion will provide essential teaching space for the museum's programs, including nature day camps for school children, workshops for all ages, and other community programming.
"We love our historic building," said Executive Director Nikolas Katrick in a news release, "but it's small and has no classroom space. Our staff is amazing and has improvised over the years, but ultimately, we're a nature center without essential infrastructure. We need more teaching space."
The museum reaches over 9,000 people each year through their programming, museum visits, the annual Fairy House Festival, and through the Fish Ladder Visitor Center in Bellows Falls. Working toward their mission to "spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world," they offer outdoor learning, play, and exploration that supports health and wellness for all ages.
The pavilion will be built behind the current museum, adjacent to the pollinator gardens and overlooking the Chapman Meadow, where native species are being replanted around a small wetland. It is designed by Artisan Timberframe LLC, based in Chester, Vermont. The pavilion will be fully accessible and will provide covered program space to benefit the museum's campers, visitors, and local families who walk the grounds and play in the Magic Forest natural playscape.
The Nature Museum staff have conducted a feasibility study over the last year and have spoken with many local residents and donors. They received positive feedback about the proposed pavilion.
"We are grateful that our dedicated and passionate supporters realize our need for a teaching space as we continue to evolve and increase our impact. In the quiet phase of our campaign, donors have generously pledged $75,000 toward our goal. [...] We've a long way to go, but we're off to a great start," says board President Laurie Danforth.
The need for this outdoor classroom is so critical that The Nature Museum has moved ahead with permitting, excavation, and the early stages of construction, and will continue fundraising efforts while construction is underway.
"Right now, we're running programs in pop-up tents year-round. This pavilion is the perfect solution - it keeps our programs outside, but gives kids a safe place to retreat during a summer downpour or take a break from the heat," said Katrick. "We are so grateful to be a part of the Grafton community, and this project means we can continue to serve local families and schools around the region with hands-on, high-impact nature education for years to come."
To learn more about how to make a gift and the Pavilion Project, contact Katrick at nikolas@nature-museum.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.