Hours and Admission
Our Hours
Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NOTE: Special hours may apply during school vacation periods. Please visit us on Facebook for special updates.
Admission
Admission:
Adults: $9.00
Seniors (62+): $8.00
Children (12 and under): $7.00
Members: FREE
Click here for Membership Information
Our Mission
To increase awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the natural world, and the interrelationships that exist between people and the changing environment.
Our History
Roaring Brook Nature Center was founded in 1948 by Canton resident Una Storrs Riddle and was originally known as the Canton Children’s Nature Museum. In 1964, as a result of a bequest to the State of Connecticut, the adjacent 100-acre Werner Farm became available to the Nature Center as a wildlife sanctuary and outdoor classroom. A new building in 1966 provided larger exhibit space and allowed for expanded programming opportunities. In 1973, the Nature Center became affiliated with The Children’s Museum (formerly the Science Center of Connecticut), providing members with a wider range of programs and services for all ages.
Over 100 Acres
for all ages
Our Facilities
Our facility houses walk-through dioramas that highlight how our landscape and wildlife have changed over time. These exhibits include a replica of an Eastern Woodland Native American longhouse, a Beaver Wetland exhibit, and a Changing Land / Changing Wildlife exhibit. Indoors, a small collection of live animals offer our visitors additional opportunities for learning. Outdoors, visitors can observe variety of birds of prey and our turtle pond. A small nature store features a selection of nature-related books and gift items.
We maintain five miles of trails on the adjacent State-owned Werner’s Woods property. This refuge is home to a variety of native wildlife species – over 150 bird species have been sighted on the property. Outdoor gardens provide opportunities for visitors to view wildflowers, birds and butterflies in season. Self-guiding trail maps, booklets and wildlife checklists are available in the Nature Center Store.
Our Activities
We offer a year-round schedule of educational programs for all ages. These programs range from week-long summer experiences to our school-year Discovery Days series for students. Seminars, lectures workshops and field trips are available to adults on a wide range of natural history topic and environmental issues. For the classroom teacher, we offer a wide selection of educational programs both at the Nature Center and as outreach programs in the schools.
Seasonal nature walks for all ages are offered throughout the year. Fall foliage walks, March maple-sugaring demonstrations and early morning bird walks provide year-round entertainment as well as first-rate learning experiences. During the summer months, evening nature walks provide an opportunity to learn about nocturnal creatures.
In addition to our regular schedule of nature-related programs, we host special events every year including our annual Hobgoblin Fair and our Holiday Craft Fair. Both events are sponsored by the Friends of Roaring Brook Nature Center group.
