Get to Know ACNW

HISTORY

In the 1800's, the Audubon Center property was used by local Ojibwa families for hunting and gathering. Portions of the forest were logged prior to the Hinckley Fire (1894), and the land was farmed under the Schwyzer family ownership for the first half of the twentieth century. In 1968 this land was bequeathed to the National Audubon Society by Dr. Marguerite Schwyzer. Since that time, the Audubon Center has served as a residential and day use education facility for small groups of international students, college students, adults, and school groups.

The Center’s programming has utilized the historic farm buildings of the Schwyzer era. The entire complex is on the National Register of Historic Places. Schwyzer Lodge is nestled among the old growth pines on the shore of Grindstone Lake, while the barn and remaining farm buildings now serve as some of our classrooms. Lowry Lodge was added in 1983 to give us more space. 1996 saw the addition of a classroom and handicapped accessibility to this building. In 1998, the Center dedicated the Crosby dormitory and Blandin dining complex, as well as completed remodeling on the historic structures. Classrooms in the Crosby dorm as well as dispersed classrooms in the wildlife barn, a yurt, a log cabin and a Native American site, serve as staging areas for daily studies and activities.

The 535 acre Audubon sanctuary is a mix of old growth white and red pines and second growth mixed hardwood forest. Birch stands and sugar maple forests are just part of the natural abundance and variety. Old farm fields have been restored to wetlands. Pine plantations and a maintained hayfield offer contrasts to the natural areas. Marsh and old beaver pond waters are teaming with life. Over 54 species of woody plants and 225 bird species have been identified here.

There are two parts to the Audubon Center campus. The Elizabeth Lane Crosby dormitory has 112 beds and is located adjacent to the dining and office building. This complex, in conjunction with our dispersed classrooms, forms our primary school facility. In addition, we have our original complex, consisting of the historic Schwyzer Lodge, and the Lowry Lodge and Bremer classroom. The Schwyzer and Lowry Lodges can house 35 people. We offer our college at this complex, but can use it for small school classes or combine all dorms to accommodate larger groups. Buildings in both complexes overlook beautiful Grindstone Lake.

Our emphasis is on getting outdoors for maximum learning opportunities. To accomplish this, we have created a number of formal and non formal classrooms and study areas. They are designed to facilitate learning atmospheres for specific themes.
Some examples are::

We have retained the farm setting, but have put the buildings to uses that the early farmers could never have imagined. The young stock barn now houses an adventure classroom in the hayloft, with a climbing wall. The main floor of the barn is a wildlife classroom and an animal care area. Near the barn is our group initiative games area, and our ropes course. The machine shed has been converted into a maple syrup sugar shack for boiling the maple sap collected in the spring from over 1,200 taps, and an equipment storage area for outdoor gear. The well pump house is now a bird banding station.