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HISTORY
In the summer of 1996, Earle and Mildred Kropscott, of Fremont, donated their 80 acres of land to the Newaygo Conservation District. The Board of Directors accepted the Kropscott's legacy gift, which included a farm house, barn, and approximately 40 acres of virgin timber. The Kropscott's wish to see the property used for education, agriculture, and scientific studies pertaining to the environment and our natural resources. Newaygo Conservation District directors, staff, and volunteers continue to honor the Kropscott's wishes by growing this property as a place for everyone to access, learn, observe, and study. In time, Stephen F. Wessling, retired educator of Fremont Public Schools, coordinated with Newaygo Conservation District Directors and expanded the vision to erect an astronomical observatory for astronomy events and programs offered by the Dark Sky Astronomers. The Newaygo Conservation District received a generous grant award of $150K, from the Fremont Area Community Foundation, to renovate the existing farmhouse into a small apartment, as well as two state of the art laboratories for educational purposes. |
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Observatory is located at Kropscott Farm Environmental Center!
Directions: From Fremont, take Stone Road north 6 miles to Baseline Road. Facilities 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 laboratories; a short walk from the lower parking lot. |
