Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
The Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a children's museum, nature center, and wetlands boardwalk located in downtown Murfreesboro. Among the exhibits are themed exploration sections focused on town life and science as well as trains, cars, a fire engine, and a farmer's market. In addition to the live animals on show, there is an outdoor nature play area as well as pathways that go through wetlands.
The Children's Museum Corporation of Rutherford County, which was established in 1986, operates the Discovery Center, which provides hands-on learning opportunities for the community. An lengthy grassroots movement spearheaded by young parents resulted in the purchase of a facility as well as the development of displays and educational programs. During the museum's first year of operation, more than 11,000 people came to see and participate in the exhibits and programs on offer. With over 120,000 children and families experiencing the exhibits each year, the Discovery Center has grown into a thriving community and tourism center, 30 years after it first opened its doors.
In 1986, the Discovery Center was founded as the "Discovery House," a children's museum for the community. Approximately 11,000 people visited the site during its first year of operation. The Discovery House staff, Congressman Bart Gordon, and Murfreesboro Mayor Joe Jackson, with the assistance of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, began investigating the possibility of repurposing the site of the former Murfreesboro Water & Sewer Plant in 1995, after it outgrew its previous location. After several years of deliberation, it was agreed that the old structures should be removed and new structures constructed for environmental concerns.
The Discovery House was granted a lease by the Public of Murfreesboro on 611.2 acres of city land in 1996. The Board of Directors, with the assistance of local individuals, was successful in obtaining a considerable area of privately donated wetlands for the organization. Later, they launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to raise the funds necessary to build a 'Discovery Center." After raising $1.8 million by 1999, work on the 18,000-square-foot center began in 2001, with completion expected in 2004. The grand opening ceremony took place on August 3, 2002.
As well as its museum the Discovery Center includes 20 acres (81,000 m2) of wetland. The Discovery Center and the City's Greenway trail system and parks have reversed decades of local environmental damage and preserved large areas of vanishing wetlands and natural areas which include rare native plants. The Discovery Center marsh contains the state's largest population of sessile water-speedwell. Today the Center receives over 130,000 visitors annually.
Oaklands Mansion
Supreme Heat & Air Conditioning
The Children's Museum Corporation of Rutherford County, which was established in 1986, operates the Discovery Center, which provides hands-on learning opportunities for the community. An lengthy grassroots movement spearheaded by young parents resulted in the purchase of a facility as well as the development of displays and educational programs. During the museum's first year of operation, more than 11,000 people came to see and participate in the exhibits and programs on offer. With over 120,000 children and families experiencing the exhibits each year, the Discovery Center has grown into a thriving community and tourism center, 30 years after it first opened its doors.
In 1986, the Discovery Center was founded as the "Discovery House," a children's museum for the community. Approximately 11,000 people visited the site during its first year of operation. The Discovery House staff, Congressman Bart Gordon, and Murfreesboro Mayor Joe Jackson, with the assistance of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, began investigating the possibility of repurposing the site of the former Murfreesboro Water & Sewer Plant in 1995, after it outgrew its previous location. After several years of deliberation, it was agreed that the old structures should be removed and new structures constructed for environmental concerns.
The Discovery House was granted a lease by the Public of Murfreesboro on 611.2 acres of city land in 1996. The Board of Directors, with the assistance of local individuals, was successful in obtaining a considerable area of privately donated wetlands for the organization. Later, they launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to raise the funds necessary to build a 'Discovery Center." After raising $1.8 million by 1999, work on the 18,000-square-foot center began in 2001, with completion expected in 2004. The grand opening ceremony took place on August 3, 2002.
As well as its museum the Discovery Center includes 20 acres (81,000 m2) of wetland. The Discovery Center and the City's Greenway trail system and parks have reversed decades of local environmental damage and preserved large areas of vanishing wetlands and natural areas which include rare native plants. The Discovery Center marsh contains the state's largest population of sessile water-speedwell. Today the Center receives over 130,000 visitors annually.
Oaklands Mansion
Supreme Heat & Air Conditioning
