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Observatory Location:
Kropscott Farm Environmental Center 6523 West Baseline Road, Fremont, Michigan Directions: From Fremont take Stone Road north 6 miles to Baseline Road. house and farm buildings are on the crest of the hill just west of Stone. The observatory is a single story building with a green retractable roof, west of the house. It is a short walk from the lower parking lot. Newaygo Conservation District (KFEC Office) 940 W. Rex Street, Fremont, MI 49412 Phone: 924-2060 Ext. #5 gail.warnement@mi.nacdnet.net |
Kropscott Farm Environmental Center
In the summer of 1996, Earle and Mildred Kropscott of Fremont requested that the Board of Directors for the Newaygo Conservation District accept a donation of 80 acres of land. The Board of Directors accepted the Kropscott's gracious offer which included a farm house, barn, and approximately 40 acres of virgin timber. The Kropscott's wishes for this property are that it be used for educational purposes, agricultural purposes, and scientific studies pertaining to the environment and our natural resources. The Board of Directors has honored those wishes and continues to make this property a place for everyone to utilize and to visit. The Kropscott's and the Board of Directors also had another goal and vision for this property. They have coordinated with a local retired Science Teacher from the Fremont Public School System, Stephen Wessling, to coordinate and erect an astronomical observatory. The Newaygo Conservation District received a very generous Grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation in the amount of $150,000 to renovate the existing farmhouse into a small apartment to rent as well as two state of the art laboratories for educational purposes. The District hired a contractor to do the carpentry work and the dedication and hard work of key District Conservation individuals and the Dark Sky Astronomers completed the work by October 31st and has rented the apartment out to an individual. |
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