FDC Timeline
Take a trip through time with us to discover how far we’ve come and how we continue to evolve!
Nestled just across the street from Fresno Discovery Center grounds is our administrative office. Long before it became part of our story, this land belonged to the Roessler family, whose roots shaped much of the surrounding area.
The Roesslers built two homes here in the mid-20th century: the large family residence on the corner of Winery and University, and a smaller “mother-in-law” house just to the north. The grand home later became what is now the Valley Dream Center, while the smaller house continues to serve a purpose today as the Fresno Discovery Center’s administrative office.
What was once a family estate has now become a place where community, learning, and discovery are carried forward for new generations!
In the late 1800s, F.M. Roessler founded Estella Blanca Vineyards, home to what is now recognized as the oldest and largest adobe building still standing in the Fresno area. The adobe bricks were made on the very land that would later become the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. According to the Historic Fresno website, “Chinese laborers dug the clay for the building’s adobe bricks from nearby Dry Creek.”
Nestled just across the street from Fresno Discovery Center grounds is our administrative office at 1937 N. Winery Avenue. Long before it became part of our story, this land belonged to the Roessler family, whose roots shaped much of the surrounding area.
The Roesslers built two homes here in the mid-20th century: the large family residence on the corner of Winery and University, and a smaller “mother-in-law” house just to the north. The grand home later became what is now the Valley Dream Center, while the smaller house continues to serve a purpose today as the Fresno Discovery Center’s administrative office.
What was once a family estate has now become a place where community, learning, and discovery are carried forward for new generations!
Funds were donated to the City of Fresno by Frank Reedy to purchase 5 1/2 acres, previously owned by the Roessler family, to create a green space or city park for the “children of Fresno.” This area was named Reedy Park in honor of Frank Reedy's generous gift.
The Fresno Jr. Museum of Science and Natural History was established next to the winery by two biology teachers, Robert Winter and Elroy Robinson, from Fresno City College. Classes were taught on the natural sciences and history, the park was open to the public and displayed artifacts and animals, such as bears, snakes, reptiles, and birds.
501(c)3 Nonprofit status for the organization was secured.
The Women’s Junior League helped transform the complex of educational classes, exhibit displays, and live animal exhibits into The Discovery Center.
The Gemini space capsule was given to The Discovery Center on indefinite loan by Pine Ridge Elementary in Auberry where it had been a part of the playground. The school's principal won the central crew capsule in a contest around 1980. In the mid 1960’s, it was used by NASA for backup testing and/or training. The very accurate nose cones and the back “adapter” section (painted white) were added by volunteers after the crew capsule came to the school.
Fred and Perle Deutsch donated their exquisite cactus and succulent collection and it was moved from the Deutsch Van Ness Estate to The Discovery Center. They started this collection in the 1930s, including species from Mexico, Arizona, and California. The Deutsch Cactus Garden includes hundreds of species and takes up about one acre!
The Garden of the Sun, a Master Gardener’s Outreach Program through the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was allowed an acre to develop by the City of Fresno.
Fire damaged The Discovery Center’s museum. Most exhibits and historical items were rescued and put in storage. All of the public programs in existence moved to other buildings on the property at both 1944 N. Winery Avenue as well as at (the newly acquired) 1937 N. Winery Avenue.
The Discovery Center continued delivering science and programs with existing buildings and the new administration building across the street, through field trips and outreach, birthday parties, Starlab presentations, children’s school field trip visits, and special events, such as astronomical star parties in partnership with the Central Valley Astronomers, as well as special holiday-based events.
A new 40 + 5 year lease was signed with the City of Fresno and a marketing plan to enable the refurbishing of the museum is launched.
The refurbishing of the museum neared completion with plans to open by Spring 2013.
Discovery Center holds a Grand Re-Opening celebration after completion of museum refurbishing. Elementary schools from around the valley come to The Discovery Center to learn about animals, geology, physics, and more. Valley children come with their parents to tour the museum and engage in interactive learning while having fun in a semi-unstructured environment.
Name rebranded to Fresno Discovery Center.
Fresno Discovery Center's property includes a playground and lots of space for kids to run and picnic tables for family lunches. We also have a turtle & koi pond, tortoise compound, and hands-on, interactive exhibits & live animals inside our science center. We host birthday parties, field trips, & hold daily programs for the Greater Fresno Community.