The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Historic Nassau station reopens to rave reviews
A remote spot in Geauga County was the place to be the evening of Aug. 19.
Swarms of space-minded individuals gathered at Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park, 10610 Clay St., Montville Township, for the much-anticipated unveiling of the restored Nassau Astronomical Station.
“The station is home to what we believe to be the largest public viewing telescope in the state of Ohio,” Park District Executive Director John Oros said. “The Warner & Swasey telescope originally manufactured in Cleveland is the star attraction at the Nassau Station. With a 36-inch mirror and massive tube construction, the telescope will give our guests the opportunity to experience planets and other astronomical features that will truly be breathtaking.”
Oros estimated more than 2,000 attendees, some of whom
were initially turned away at the park entrance, because of the huge turnout.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “One of the challenges we have with all our parks is lack of parking during these grand openings, but the trade-off is all the families enjoying themselves.”
A DJ had some visitors dancing under the dimming sky, while others enjoyed free hot dogs or took advantage of the Hunger Squad food truck. There were various activities, including make-and-take crafts, and the planetarium was opened. Another big draw was the largescreen showing of the movie “WALL-E,” which had guests all over the hillside on blankets and lawn chairs.
“It’s nice to be down here and see everybody coming together as a group,” said Hannah Williams, 14, of Painesville Township.
Chris Kukla of South Russell Village was there with her husband and two teen sons. They didn’t appear to mind the long line to get into the Nassau station.
“It’s really well done,” she said, adding that the opening brought them to the park for the first time.
Those who didn’t get in on this occasion will have more opportunities in the future.
“It will be open at least twice a month,” Park District Special Events Coordinator Teresa Runion said. “Generally, it is the second and fourth Saturday of the month, unless it’s a holiday week.”
The station was built in 1957. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University used it for visual study of the heavens through the 1980s.
Geauga Park District teamed with CWRU to offer public astronomy nights at Nassau from 1994 to 2005, and after CWRU discontinued use of the station, it sold the facility to the Park District, in 2008.
Fundraising efforts made it possible to restore the facility and telescope to their former glory.
In addition to restoration of the research-grade telescope and refurbishment of the equipment necessary for its operation, renovations to Nassau included the addition of museum features, redecorating in the historic living quarters, wheelchair accessibility to the upper telescope floor and restrooms.
Night sky viewing is scheduled at the new facility 7 to 11 p.m., Aug. 26 and Sept. 9, 16 and 23. Daytime openhouses are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 and 24.
For more on the Nassau station, call 440-286-9516 or visit geaugaparkdistrict.org.