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Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary

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Built
  
1914

Architectural style
  
Other

Designated NHL
  
April 19, 1993

Area
  
3 ha

Added to NRHP
  
23 June 1982

Architect
  
Unknown

NRHP Reference #
  
82004371

Opened
  
1914

Phone
  
+1 203-259-0416

Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary

Location
  
314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, Connecticut

Address
  
314 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA

Similar
  
Connecticut Audubon Society C, Fairfield Museum and Histo, Jennings Beach, Fairfield University Art Muse, Beardsley Zoo

The Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary, also known as Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary or simply Birdcraft Sanctuary, in Fairfield, Connecticut is the oldest private songbird sanctuary in the United States. It was established in 1914 by Mabel Osgood Wright.

The 6-acre (2.4 ha) site was originally planted as a refuge to attract, harbor and feed migratory and resident birds. The Connecticut Audubon Society has documented sightings of more than 120 species of birds at this site, and the organization has operated a bird banding station here since 1979. The natural history museum contains mounted preserved animals displayed in dioramas depicting Connecticut's wildlife as it existed at the end of the 20th century, as well as the Frederick T. Bedford Collection of African Animals.

Structures at the sanctuary include a frame bungalow and a museum building, the former built as a caretaker's residence. Significant man-made or man-sculpted features of the sanctuary include a pond, gardens, and meadows, as well as a chimney constructed as a nesting spot for chimney swifts. Most of these structures were built in 1914, although the museum and bungalow have both been enlarged (substantially in the case of the museum) since then.

The Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. Its establishment marked the revival of a bird conservation movement which had begun in the 1880s but languished and declined since then.

The property is one of five nature centers and 19 wildlife sanctuaries operated by Connecticut Audubon, which is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.

References

Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary Wikipedia


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