Montgomery Parks is reaching out to the community for feedback on a proposed museum dedicated to the legacy of Rachel Carson, a renowned biologist and naturalist writer who spent much of her life in Silver Spring.
The Springsong Museum, a nonprofit organization based in Silver Spring, is spearheading efforts to fund and establish this museum.
This facility is slated to be situated at Burnt Mills East Special Park, next to the Northwest Branch Trail on Colesville Road, within a historic 1929 structure formerly used as a water filtration facility by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC).
The planned renovations are projected to cost approximately $12 million, which is part of a broader $17 million capital campaign aimed at developing the museum.
According to the Montgomery Parks department, the project involves repurposing the currently unoccupied red brick building that has remained vacant since the WSSC ceased its operations in the 1960s.
To facilitate this venture, Montgomery Parks will lease the building to the Springsong Museum.
Residents of Montgomery County are now urged to take part in an online survey to provide their insights on this new museum, with responses accepted until August 15.
Rachel Carson, acclaimed for her influential 1962 book ‘Silent Spring,’ which brought widespread awareness to the dangers of pesticides, had deep ties to the Silver Spring area, where she lived most of her adult life.
Currently, the only structure in Montgomery County associated with Carson is her former home at 11701 Berwick Road, although it is not regularly open to the public.
Carson passed away in 1964 at the age of 56 due to complications from breast cancer.
Plans for the museum endeavor to echo Carson’s message of environmental stewardship by fostering a connection to the natural world.
The Springsong Museum aims to explore themes of connection and wonder for all ages through various exhibits, gardens, and programs.
These experiences are expected to highlight the Native American history of the area, the history of the local mill that processed grain, the African American community that existed prior to desegregation, as well as the site’s legacy related to clean water initiatives.
Montgomery Parks has been working closely with Springsong to refine the design elements and project scope throughout the planning stages.
As of now, Springsong is focused on advanced design work and making applications for county permits.
The concept plan for the museum was initially presented to Montgomery Parks in 2022 and underwent several reviews before receiving approval in the fall of 2024.
The final design will be evaluated by the Planning Board in 2026, with construction anticipated to commence in 2027.
Throughout this process, Montgomery Parks will maintain collaboration with Springsong on regulatory reviews, park permits, and construction efforts.
Springsong is tasked with the responsibility of fundraising, designing, constructing, and operating the museum once it opens.
Rebecca Henson, an environmental policy analyst and a key figure in launching Springsong, highlighted the significance of honoring Carson’s themes of connection with nature, emphasizing the importance of celebrating her life and work in this region.
In her view, the message conveyed by Carson remains vital, particularly given her extensive connections to various parts of Montgomery County.
David Montgomery, a freelance writer for Bethesda Magazine, contributed to this article.
image source from：bethesdamagazine
