Fresno Discovery Center is rooted in generosity. Funds were donated to the City of Fresno by Frank Reedy to purchase 5 1/2 acres, previously owned by the Roessler family, to create a green space or city park for the “children of Fresno.” This area was named Reedy Park in honor of Frank Reedy’s generous gift. Reedy Park and The Fresno Jr. Museum of Science and Natural History were established in 1954, and the museum received nonprofit status on 1 July 1968.
1995 Fred and Perle Deutsch donated their exquisite cactus and succulent collection. They started this collection in the 1930s, including species from Mexico, Arizona, and California. The Deutsch Cactus Garden includes over 250 species and takes up about one acre!
Of course, our park includes a playground, lots of space for kids to run, and picnic tables for family lunches. We also have a turtle & koi pond, a tortoise compound, and hands-on, interactive exhibits & live animals inside our science center. We host birthday parties, field trips, & hold daily programs for the Greater Fresno Community.
History
1892– F.M. Roessler founds Estella Blanca Vineyards. The winery may be the oldest
and largest Adobe building in the Fresno Area. The adobe bricks were made on the land that is now the airport.
1920-1933– Prohibition closes the winery.
1923– The 1920’s Craftsman home was built. This location is where the current administrative office resides, located at 1937 N. Winery Avenue (across Winery Avenue from the main museum property). It was owned by the Roessler family, who also built the large main building, the Valley Dream Center, south of the Administrative Building, on the corner of Winery Avenue and University. The Dream Center was the main house; the administrative office was the mother-in-law’s property.
The 1940s– Money donated to the City of Fresno by Frank Reedy to purchase land to
create a City Park for the “children of Fresno.” Named Reedy Park.
1954– The Fresno Jr. Museum of Science and Natural History was established next to the winery by two biology teachers, Robert Winter and Elroy Robinson, from Fresno City College. Classes were taught on the natural sciences and history; the park was open to the public and displayed artifacts and animals, such as bears, snakes, reptiles, and birds.
July 1968– 501(c)3 Nonprofit status for the organization was secured.
1979– The Women’s Junior League helped transform the complex of educational classes, exhibit displays, and live animal exhibits into The Discovery Center.
April 1991– The Gemini space capsule was given to The Discovery Center on indefinite loan by Pine Ridge Elementary in Auberry, where it had been a part of the playground. The school’s principal won the central crew capsule in a contest around 1980. In the mid-1960s, NASA used it for backup testing and/or training. The very accurate nose cones and the back “adapter” section (painted white) were added by volunteers after the crew capsule came to the school.
1995– The Deutsch Cactus Garden was bequeathed and moved from the Deutsch Van Ness Estate to The Discovery Center. The Garden of the Sun, a Master Gardener’s Outreach Program through the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was allowed an acre to develop by the City of Fresno, California.
2001–Fire damaged The Discovery Center’s museum. Most exhibits and historical items were rescued and put in storage. All public programs moved to other buildings on the property at 1944 N. Winery Avenue and 1937 N. Winery Avenue.
2001– The Discovery Center continued delivering science and programs with existing buildings and
the new administration building across the street through field trips and outreach, birthday parties, Starlab presentations, children’s school field trip visits, and special events, such as astronomical star parties in partnership with the Central Valley Astronomers and special holiday-based events. Junk Removal Fresno
June 2011– A new 40 + 5-year lease was signed with the City of Fresno, and a marketing plan to enable the refurbishing of the museum was launched.
June 2012– The refurbishing of the museum is near completion, and the plans are to open by the Spring of 2013.
March 28, 2013– Discovery Center holds a Grand Re-Opening celebration after the completion of museum refurbishing. Elementary schools around the valley come to The Discovery Center to learn about animals, geology, physics, and more. In addition, valley children come with their parents to tour the museum and engage in interactive learning while having fun in a semi-unstructured environment.
Address: 1944 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA
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