Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, area legislators and community leaders joined Melissa H. Mulrooney, Chief Executive Officer of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center (SM&NC), and representatives of both the SM&NC’s Board of Directors and Campaign for Future Generations on May 23 to break ground on a new Planetarium & Astronomy Center, the second major signature venue to be added to the SM&NC’s 118-acre campus in the last five years.
At nearly 11,000 square feet, the new Planetarium & Astronomy Center will feature:
- 100-Seat Planetarium Theatre
- Open-Air, Roll-Back Roof Observation Deck with Lunar & Solar Telescopes
- State-of-the-Art Science Technology
- Welcoming Lobby Gallery
- Two School & Community Classrooms
- Scenic Outdoor Terraces
- ADA Compliant Facilities & Elevator
- Astronomy & Technology Offices
In addition to being a cultural attraction, the facility will serve as a center for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and astronomy, and math) education, supporting the Connecticut State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
The Planetarium & Astronomy Center and the Knobloch Family Farmhouse, which opened in November 2018, are part of the SM&NC’s visionary master plan to build future capacity for the museum’s educational and public spaces.
“Since the grand opening of the Farmhouse, we have been focused on raising the necessary funds to develop the Planetarium & Astronomy Center, which will be an important educational resource not just for the region but the entire State of Connecticut,” said Michael Fedele, Co-Chair, The Campaign for Future Generations.
For more information, please visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.