Thirty years ago, Gale Lawrence purchased land across Sherman Hollow Road from her home. She donated it to the Museum as a place for people to visit, as well as for birds, mammals, insects, plants, fungi, and other wildlife to live. At the same time, Bob planted four American Chestnut trees along the edge of the meadow on this parcel. Since then, countless people have stood under those trees to take photos, paint, listen to birds, admire the changing seasons, and enjoy the steady hum of life around them.
These acts of kindness taken by Bob and Gale were done not to benefit themselves, but for the animals, plants, and people that would come after them. Acts like this make a difference, and we strive to continue making similar choices every day. We believe in the importance of stewarding places to connect and create, providing places to bird and experience nature. These places benefit all of us. Choices we all make, and support of places like the Museum are not just for our individual benefit. We give also to those who will come after us.
Our choices include where our energy comes from, coffee we drink, art we create, plants we nurture, and what we let stay wild. You can benefit both present and future generations with a gift to the Museum. Your donation today goes toward the installation of rooftop solar panels. The generation of electricity from the sun allows the Museum to improve its resiliency for itself and the community and reduce its carbon footprint. This support strengthens the Museum’s fiscal independence, ensuring the preservation of open land, programming about birds, and the housing of incredible art now and in the future.
If everyone who received our letter or reads this post contributes $80—either as a donation or a membership renewal—the installation would be completely funded.
To show our gratitude for your past support, the first twenty donors who give $300 or more will also receive a selection of items created by some exhibiting artists who were part of this year’s art show, Birds and Myth. You can send a gift using the button below; if your membership is due, please use the form on the membership page.
Thank you for ensuring the museum endures today and is ready for the future.
Erin, Allison, Kir, and Brady, Museum Staff