Who We Are
The Discovery Center is an educational history and science center offering children a hands-on learning experience to stimulate a passion, curiosity and wonder for the environment and physical sciences. It plays a major role in the lives of thousands of children each year in a variety of ways, including field trips, science camps, educational outreach, and hand-on learning opportunities.
Mission Statement
We are a community educational history and science center offering children a hands-on learning experience to stimulate a passion, curiosity and wonder for the environment and physical sciences. We deliver science successfully to thousands of children each year in a variety of ways, including field trips, camps, outreach, birthday parties and more.
Founded in 1954, The Discovery Center is a non-profit science education center that is fully self-funded and maintained. All donations are gratefully appreciated.
The Start
The Discovery Center is located on 5 acres of land donated to the children of the Valley by The Roessler family. The winery was once the site of the Estella Blanca Vineyards founded by F.M. Roessler in 1892. The winery produced brandy and closed during prohibition. The land was then donated to the City of Fresno as Reedy Park.
In 1954 The Fresno Jr. Museum of Science and Natural History was established on the site. The staff soon added educational classes, displays and live animals. In the 70's it was renamed The Discovery Center.
History of the Center
1894 -
The Roessler Winery (still located on TDC property) was built. It is the oldest adobe building in Fresno. The adobe bricks were made on the site of the Fresno Air Terminal.
1923 –
Bungalow across Winery was built by the Roessler family as a mother-in-law house. The larger structure to the south was the main Roessler house.
1954 –
The Fresno Junior Museum was founded at Reedy Park
1979 –
Junior League helped transform the complex into The Discovery Center
1991 –
The Gemini space capsule came to TDC, from Pine Crest Elementary. It was used by NASA for demonstration and promotional purposes after being used to test seat ejection techniques.
1995 –
The Deutsch Cactus Garden was moved from the Deutsch Van Ness Estate to TDC.
1995 –
The Garden of the Sun was also allowed an acre to develop.
2000 –
Fire damaged TDC’s museum. Most exhibits/items were rescued and put in storage. Programs moved to other buildings already on property.
2001 –
TDC continued to provide science education programs through field trips and outreach, birthday parties, Starlab, star parties, class visits, and special events.
2011 June –
A new 40 + 5 year lease was signed with the City of Fresno and a marketing plan to enable the rebuilding of the museum is launched.
2012 June –
Rebuilding of the museum is near complete and will have an opening by spring of 2013
2013 March 28 –
Grand Re-Opening of The Discovery Center Museum
2015 October 23 -
Junior League of Fresno opened The Discovery Youth Garden behind the Center's office.
