|
    
 |
|
SQUAM LAKES NATURAL SCIENCE CENTER TIMELINE
1965
1966
- Original 180 acres purchased with money raised from local community. Following is the purchase of the Holderness Inn and surrounding facilities as well as a tract of land atop Mt. Fayal. With the Inn comes a small piece of land on Little Squam which will prove to be a valuable asset for future lake programs.
- Squam Lakes Science Center is incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
1967
- Federal Title III grant used to organize first educational programs.
- First Director, Gilbert “Gib” Merrill, and staff hired.
- Original mission statement: 1) to be a museum of natural, scientific, cultural and historical subjects; 2) to educate school children and others in the fundamentals of natural science; 3) to serve as a training center for environmental education; and 4) to be a natural sciences resource center.
1968
- John R. Quinn joins the Science Center staff as Artist-Naturalist, producing many visual aids and props. Naturalists still use his “Quinn Board” illustrations to this day.
1969
- “Actual birth year of Science Center” – on July 1, the Science Center opens for its first summer season, including lecture demonstrations in the barn auditorium, two trails on Mt. Fayal, and live animal exhibits: small mammal hut, snake island, bird and reptile hut, deer knoll, goose pond, bobcat glen, frog pond hut, as well as three exhibits showing early life of New Hampshire settlers: blacksmith shop, sap house, and steam-operated sawmill. Admission is $1.25 adults, 75 cents juniors.
- First membership year: Dues – Family $12, Adult $7, Junior $3, Sustaining member $25. Those joining by December 31 have their names inscribed in Science Center archives as charter members.
- Auction of furnishings of Holderness Inn (32-room inn formerly operated by Miss Ruby Davison, built in 1896).
- Pilot school program starts in January 1969 for Grades 3-12, addressing science education needs of NH schools. Held in basement of director’s residence. Topics: Biology of Birds, the Story of Reproduction, and Sound and Hearing.
- “Holderness Day” hosted by the Science Center – residents of Holderness and their guests are invited to walk trails and attend programs.
1970
- The Science Center Volunteer Group is organized, starting with 20 people – “housewives, teachers, doctors, students, nurses and others who have indicated an interest in label research, art work, carpentry, trail work, and gadgeteering.”
- Trustees approve a budget of $180,000 covering the 18 month period, January 1, 1970 to June 30, 1971.
1973
- First mission narrowed to focus on natural science education and make use of the 200-acre property as an outdoor classroom by adding school programs to be taught outside.
- Science Center volunteers are organized by a committee called the “Friends of the Science Center.” Most popular volunteer session is spring “Labor Day” to spruce up the Science Center for the season.
1974
- New Animal Room facility results from the transformation of the Holderness Inn kitchen, housing lecture animals: 13 mammals, 20 birds and 25 reptiles.
- First Bear Exhibit opens.
- Second Annual SLSC Benefit Horse Show highlights the addition of a ‘permanent’ horse ring.
1975
- Robert “Bob” Nichols becomes the second Science Center Director.
- Ecotone Trail added, bordering the upper meadow and forest.
- First summer intern program.
1976
- Outreach programs take indoor and outdoor programs to schools for the first time.
1978
- The Orton Mobile Science Lab is the Science Center’s first outreach van. Moultonborough School is the first school to schedule outreach programs for an entire school for an extended period of time (12 weeks) – the Unit Approach.
- The Science Center Environmental Theatre opens with “Harry the Hare Finds His Friends” (winter adaptations) and the “Loon Homecoming” (threats to loons).
- Science Center’s current logo is born as “a symbol that would graphically tell people that we are an environmental education organization which offers programs for young and old and that we emphasize environmental interrelationships.” Fred Pickel, a graphic artist from Holderness, crafted the logo.
- The creation of the Arthur Unsworth Memorial Library adds a new educational dimension to the Science Center.
1980 - 81
- The Science Center collaborates with NH Public Television to produce the educational television series, “Up Close and Natural,” for Grades K-3.
- In 1980, archaeological excavations were started on the Piper Homestead by Dr. William Taylor and students from Plymouth State College. This farm on the slopes of Mt. Fayal, first settled in the 1800’s, was owned by the same family for 150 years.
1982
- Dedication of new Education Building (currently called the Webster Building), with new access road and parking lot. Existing office building was moved ¼ mile from its Route 3 location to be integrated with a new educational wing, now close to prime teaching areas.
1983
- Richard “Rick” Ashley becomes the third Director of the Science Center.
- Name changed to Science Center of New Hampshire to highlight expansion of programming and fund raising to a statewide audience.
- New exhibit buildings constructed.
- Long-range planning, with the Potomac Group as consultants, is initiated.
- A new marsh is dug by the stream from the Upper Pond.
1984
- A pontoon boat is purchased with grant funds and first Lake Ecology classes offered.
1986
- The Quarter Century Fund, a $1.25 million capital campaign starts, raises $900,000 for capital improvements and more than $500,000 for endowment.
1988
- The Science Center newsletter gets a new look and name: Tracks & Trails.
1989
- Bill Webb becomes the fourth Director of the Science Center.
- Natalie Parsons becomes the first Science Center Volunteer Coordinator.
1990
- A new Nature Store emerges from renovations to the old Holderness Inn.
- First year of Science Center’s Day Camp; sessions will run each summer through 2004.
1991
- Science Center hosts first New Hampshire Day, with admission free to NH residents.
- 25th Anniversary Nature Quilt, made by volunteers, has 25 panels, each representing one year in the life of the Science Center.
- New entrance sign: Larry Fernald of Holderness carves a bear, deer, fox and bobcat from slabs of three-inch thick pine to set the tone for visitors as they arrived.
- Quarter Century Fund capital improvements completed by 1992: new Visitor Center, upgrade of driveway and parking lot, a workshop/graphics center added to the main building, and a seasonal pavilion built. Major new QCF exhibits: River Otter Exhibit, Children's Activity Center, Raptor Exhibit and Washburn Exhibit (showing how renowned cartographer Bradford Washburn mapped Squam Lake) and the Fauver Gallery.
1992
- Will Abbott becomes the fifth Executive Director.
- Grant from the Educational Foundation of America used to promote new exhibits and improvements with first ever paid advertising. Public admissions increase over 50%.
1993
- Naturalists offer first natural history cruises on Squam Lake, entitled “Nature of Squam.”
1994
- Bequest used for trail improvements for safety and accessibility.
1995
- Mission statement adopted by unanimous vote of SLNSC’s Board of Trustees: to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world.
- Long-range plan (On the Horizon, A Strategic Plan for the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center 1995-2000) adopted with primary focus to assure excellence in education programming. Secondary goals: investments in facility improvements, staff and volunteer development, financial growth and stability, community relations and preparing future Board leadership.
- SLNSC acquires possession of 11-acre Ragged Island (in Lake Winnipesaukee) by request from two other non-profits to settle their property title dispute. Restricted by deed to educational and land conservation use. Staffed and open to the public summers.
- Kirkwood Gardens, adjacent to the renovated Inn, landscaped as a free public garden exhibiting plants attractive to wildlife.
- Forest Trail added, a 2/3-mile self-guided hike interpreting forest ecology and management.
- The first Horizon Award presented to Honorary Trustee Elizabeth F. Wood. The Trustees established the Horizon Award as a means to recognize exceptional and extended individual service to the Science Center and to its mission by Trustees, staff, and volunteers.
1996
- SLNSC’s lake ecology program capacity for schools and the public doubles with the addition and outfitting of a second pontoon boat.
- Board of Trustees establishes the Parson’s Award to recognize extraordinary volunteer service to the Science Center.
- Science Center offers its first Cabin Fever Day in Gilford, featuring free live animal talks and exhibits that introduce the public to the Science Center. This successful idea is taken to other locations around the state: Concord 1997, Manchester 1998, Nashua 1999, Portsmouth 2000, Berlin 2001, Claremont 2002, Keene 2003, Salem 2004, Littleton 2005, Rochester 2006, Manchester 2007, and Tamworth 2008.
1997
- A new Bird Exhibit and aviary replaces the former Bird and Loon Exhibits.
- Docents are trained for the first time at the Science Center, with 45 volunteers taking part.
- The Science Center’s Wildlife Art Calendar, featuring middle and high school art, is produced for the first time.
1998
- Trustees approve Horizon Project which becomes a five-year capital campaign including 23 specific projects costing an estimated $4.7 million, with five specific goals: 1) expand the existing endowment; 2) build new live animal exhibits and create enhanced learning opportunities to attract and accommodate more visitors without losing the “walk in the woods” experience; 3) expand and improve visitor services facilities; 4) make exhibit trail wheelchair accessible and, 5) enhance the SLNSC infrastructure with investments in new management information systems, additional animal care facilities and new collection maintenance and storage facilities.
- SLNSC collaborates with New Hampshire Public Television to produce a 16-part natural science instructional television series called NatureWorks, targeted to students in grades 4-6 and for use by teachers to supplement science curricula. The programs are accompanied by printed teacher resources and an interactive website.
1999
- New exhibits added to the Gordon Children’s Center.
2000
- Name changed to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, effective January 1, 2000.
- Tamworth Pavilion winterized. New outdoor public amphitheatre and two-story garage constructed.
- New Black Bear Exhibit opened and White-tailed Deer Exhibit upgraded.
- Golden Pond Tours business and three boats purchased. One boat is outfitted as a third boat for school lake programs.
2001
- New Bobcat and Ecotone Mammal Exhibit completed. Moose sculpture added to exhibit trail. Upgrade to water system for exhibits completed.
- New entrance and larger parking lot completed with improvements for safety. Picnic pavilion is added. Accessibility is improved for wheelchairs and strollers by widening and leveling trail surfaces. Motorized scooters are available for those with less mobility.
- Kirkwood Gardens receives a statue in honor of Nancy Richards. .New “Visitor Center” ground breaking August 2001. It is now known as the Welcome Center.
- SLNSC sponsors its first major nature trip with destination of South Africa. Trips in subsequent years explore the Galapagos Islands, Belize and Tikal, the Amazon and Machu Picchu of Peru, Alaska, and New Zealand.
- The annual summer gala celebrated the Center’s 35th birthday. The theme: Beetle Bash.
- Controversy over burial ground site with the Abenaki Nation. Protesting takes place in August and early September.
2002
- Forging Trails: A Strategic Plan for SLNSC 2003-2008 is adopted by the Board of Trustees, with major goals in three areas: funds, civic capital, and education.
- Welcome Center dedication in May. New retail store is named the Howling Coyote.
- The Horizon Project completes fund raising at just over $5 million.
2003
- Two mountain lion cubs arrive from Montana in January to be the focal points of the new Mountain Lion Exhibit, which opens in May.
- Life Underground Exhibit opens in July, featuring a 12-foot long diorama of the soil community, live ants and earthworms and chipmunk viewing station.
- Mead Discovery Place opens. Dedicated to the late Bill Mead, this exhibit in the Trailhead Gallery focuses on current issues in the environment and will change each year.
- Volunteer Recognition Dinner is held this year aboard the Winnipesaukee Belle out of Wolfeboro.
2004
- Dave Chase becomes the Science Center’s sixth Executive Director.
- Human Resources Assessment is conducted by Technical Development Corporation
- Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Hawk Watch with 4th graders at Inter-Lakes Elementary School in Meredith.
- Mead Discovery Place exhibits “Turtle Trackers,” featuring research by NH Fish & Game Department on the Blanding’s Turtle.
- New Volunteer Appreciation Display – “Volunteers Complete the Picture” – recognizes cumulative volunteer hours of individuals dating back to 1994.
- Webster Building renovations started including a new Animal Room with exercise and enrichment area, new storage area for educational props and mounts, along with refurbishing of offices, library and kitchen.
2005
- Mead Discovery Place exhibit features research conducted at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Woodstock, NH and important watershed concepts.
- Science Center moves towards meeting Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation requirements by completing a new animal quarantine facility in the old bear exhibit building.
- As outlined in Forging Trails: A Strategic Plan for SLNSC 2003-2008, program evaluation begins in the areas of school programs, lake cruises and exhibits.
- Webster Building staff, animals and volunteers move back into the newly renovated facilities.
- Bald Eagles nest for the third year in a row on Squam Lake after a 50 plus year absence.
- First Animal Enrichment Day held.
2006
- All six classrooms received technological upgrades allowing digital images and video clips to be shown during programs.
- The Holderness Inn, formerly the site the “Nature Store” was leased by the “Squam Lakes Artisans” Gallery of Regional Arts and Crafts and the Kirkwood Gardens Café, serving snacks and lunch.
- 2006 was highlighted by the celebration of our fortieth anniversary and a look back at our extraordinary growth and accomplishments over the years. Judy and Larry Webster hosted a spectacular Gala and Annual Meeting at Burleigh Farm. A forty-foot long anniversary cake was enjoyed at an Open House for Holderness residents, former staff members and former trustees and their families. A forty-year timeline was displayed.
- Iain MacLeod is welcomed as our seventh Executive Director.
- We gained national accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) distinguishing us among the very finest educational institutions and the only AZA-accredited organization in all of northern New England.
2007
- An outside marketing firm was hired to do an overhaul of all outward marketing design elements – logo, stationery, brochures, website, signage, and advertising styles including fonts, colors, graphics.
- A new exhibit in the Mead Discovery Place highlights adaptations and behaviors of the Eastern Coyote.
- The Lovett-Woodsum Family Charitable Foundation funds new hands-on exhibits to the River Otter Exhibit and extensive improvements to the observation area and animal shift building.
- “Turtle Talks” are taught by specially trained volunteer docents every week in July and August.
- A “Green Team” of staff members is formed to prioritize and implement “green” choices for operations and facilities.
- A new “bat condo” was built and erected adjacent to the Life Underground Exhibit, a new recycling shed was constructed for the picnic area, and the floating section of the marsh boardwalk was rebuilt.
- Lake cruises saw major increases in attendance and income, especially from group tours, following the acquisition of two new boats from Squam Lake Tours.
- Executive Director Iain MacLeod led a 10-day nature tour to New Mexico in November.
|
|
