Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art We are the repository for the art, writings and other work of the late Ned Smith, from whose life the center takes its original inspiration.
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For over 30 Years the Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art has honored the legacy of Ned Smith by merging the arts and the natural world through education, exhibition, and experiences! Rooted in the scenic Susquehanna Valley of Central Pennsylvania, we strive to be the leading institution for the collection and dissemination of art and natural history knowledge, particularly when the two intersect an

d reinforce one another. The center seeks to appeal to all ages, races and genders across Pennsylvania and beyond. Our goal is to be viewed as a vibrant cornerstone to the cultural, economic, social and environmental life of the community.

Introducing Fun Fact Friday, your weekly dose of nature facts with Ned Smith Center educators!We may be expecting snow t...
02/07/2025

Introducing Fun Fact Friday, your weekly dose of nature facts with Ned Smith Center educators!

We may be expecting snow this weekend, but that won’t stop Pennsylvania’s earliest blooming wildflower from doing its thing!

If you’ve ever seen Eastern skunk cabbage, chances are you’ve smelled it too. With its common name referencing PA’s stinkiest of mammals and its scientific name, Symplocarpus foetidus, translating “bad-smelling fruit,” you can probably guess that it isn’t a particularly enjoyable smell. As the plant emerges, its spathe (the hood-like leaf covering the flower) generates heat to help break through the frozen ground, ice, and snow. This, in combination with the rank smell it exudes, also may help attract carrion-feeding insects which aid in pollination.

To find skunk cabbage, you’ll want to head to a swampy or marshy area and keep your eyes peeled for its purple- and green-speckled spathes poking through the ground. By late spring, these tiny hoods and flowers will have wilted to make room for the bushy, cabbage-like leaves which can be eaten by certain wildlife.

Even though it has the word “cabbage” in its name, it is not recommended for humans to try to eat skunk cabbage. While Native American cultures used skunk cabbage medicinally, it is not advised to try it at home. In fact, in Gone for the Day, Ned Smith writes about attempting to forage skunk cabbage. Despite carefully following the recommended cooking directions, Ned and Marie were still struck with some unfortunate side-effects: “Soon our tongues began to burn, and as we discussed this discouraging turn of affairs it became increasingly difficult to speak in normal tones.” Yikes!

The Center will be CLOSED today (Feb. 6th) due to hazardous road conditions. Stay safe & warm everyone! ❄️
02/06/2025

The Center will be CLOSED today (Feb. 6th) due to hazardous road conditions. Stay safe & warm everyone! ❄️

Who's coming to Storytime at the Center tomorrow morning?? Join us in the Ed. Room at 10:30 AM for crafts and a story. N...
02/04/2025

Who's coming to Storytime at the Center tomorrow morning??
Join us in the Ed. Room at 10:30 AM for crafts and a story. No registration required!

STARTING FEBRUARY 5TH - Storytime at the Center!

Join us at the Ned Smith Center every first Wednesday of the month for an interactive storytime including read-aloud books, activities, and crafts! Stories are geared towards ages 2-5, but older siblings are always welcome! Registration is not required.

First date: Feb 5, 2025 - 10:30 a.m. in the Education Room. The theme is winter!

01/30/2025

Don't miss the Reception for the Jessica Bock-Páez Photography Exhibition this Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1-4 PM!

"The Wonders of the Tropics" features photographs from Bock-Páez's five-month journey through Colombia and Costa Rica, highlighting the flora, fauna, and landscapes of these vibrant regions. This exhibit offers a glimpse into the ecology, behavior, and adaptations of various species through her lens.

FREE ADMISSION. Drinks & hors d'oeuvres provided. See you there!

STARTING FEBRUARY 5TH - Storytime at the Center!Join us at the Ned Smith Center every first Wednesday of the month for a...
01/29/2025

STARTING FEBRUARY 5TH - Storytime at the Center!

Join us at the Ned Smith Center every first Wednesday of the month for an interactive storytime including read-aloud books, activities, and crafts! Stories are geared towards ages 2-5, but older siblings are always welcome! Registration is not required.

First date: Feb 5, 2025 - 10:30 a.m. in the Education Room. The theme is winter!

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art welcomed lifelong Millersburg resident William Kobel to its Board of Trustees at...
01/28/2025

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art welcomed lifelong Millersburg resident William Kobel to its Board of Trustees at its January quarterly meeting.

“Everywhere Bill goes, he drives positive change,” said Ned Smith Center Executive Director Lara Maupin. “I know he can help the Center reach a new level of excellence when it comes to getting the word out about all we have to offer. I’m very excited to work with him.”

Read the full article on our website at www.nedsmithcenter.org/news/

February's Dog of the Month in our gift shop now 💕 Karma has spent just over a year at Humane Society of Harrisburg Area...
01/28/2025

February's Dog of the Month in our gift shop now 💕 Karma has spent just over a year at Humane Society of Harrisburg Area. Help us find her a loving home in 2025!

What a great turnout for TMI Improv on Saturday! We hope everyone had a memorable night with lots of laughs. Join us aga...
01/27/2025

What a great turnout for TMI Improv on Saturday! We hope everyone had a memorable night with lots of laughs.

Join us again on February 15th for our third and final Gallery Series show, featuring Erich Cawalla & Cliff Starkey – The Music of Sinatra, Bennett, Darin, & More! *Beer, wine & appetizers are included with admission*

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Board of Trustees welcomed Millersburg resident Dharla Maiden to the Board at it...
01/23/2025

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Board of Trustees welcomed Millersburg resident Dharla Maiden to the Board at its January quarterly meeting.

“Having Dharla back on the Board will benefit the Center greatly,” noted Executive Director Lara Maupin. “Her background knowledge, passion for our mission, creativity, and positive outlook are tremendous assets. I look forward to working with her in the coming years.”

Read more: https://nedsmithcenter.org/news/

01/22/2025

Don't forget to sign your kids up for next month's Homeschool Day - Winter Wildflowers (K-6th Grade)!

During this homeschool lesson, we'll do a deep dive on skunk cabbage, one of the most famous (and smelly) winter wildflowers! We'll learn all about the adaptations it has to grow through the snow in February. We will be going outside for this program to find skunk cabbage in the wild, so please dress appropriately. In the case of poor weather, the program will be rescheduled.

February 12, 2025 at 10-11:30am
$5.00 per participant.

NOTE: Parents/guardians must be present, but need not pay for registration. No more than one parent/guardian per participant, please.

We are now accepting entries for our 2025 Youth Art Contest! The contest is open to all artists in grades 1-12. All entr...
01/21/2025

We are now accepting entries for our 2025 Youth Art Contest! The contest is open to all artists in grades 1-12. All entries must be submitted ONLINE.

This year's theme is "Gone for the Day: SPRING"

Full details:
https://nedsmithcenter.org/education-2/

THIS SATURDAY—Escape the cold this weekend and join us for a night of unfiltered fun with TMI Improv, Gamut Theatre’s ve...
01/21/2025

THIS SATURDAY—Escape the cold this weekend and join us for a night of unfiltered fun with TMI Improv, Gamut Theatre’s very own comedy troupe. From side-splitting one-liners to absurdly hilarious scenarios, this comedy troupe takes audience suggestions and transforms them into wildly unpredictable, character-driven scenes.

Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable night of fun and endless laughs! Bottomless drinks and hors d’oeuvres are included with $25 admission (food provided from Peace of Mind Cafe).

Get Tickets Now: https://secure.nedsmithcenter.org/np/clients/nedsmithcenter/event.jsp?event=1798

Coming soon to our Olewine Gallery: The Wonders of the Tropics - Photography by Jessica Bock-PáezOPENING DAY & RECEPTION...
01/20/2025

Coming soon to our Olewine Gallery: The Wonders of the Tropics - Photography by Jessica Bock-Páez

OPENING DAY & RECEPTION:
Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 1-4 PM

01/17/2025

Tomorrow is your last chance to see the Kit Cowan | Millersburg Exhibition in our Olewine Gallery! The gift shop and galleries will be open from 10 AM - 4 PM. Don't miss it!

Final reminder to submit your application for our Part-time Events Coordinator position today!The Ned Smith Center seeks...
01/17/2025

Final reminder to submit your application for our Part-time Events Coordinator position today!

The Ned Smith Center seeks an energetic, friendly, and creative events planner to coordinate three annual fundraising events (a benefit/gala in April, a clay shoot in August, and a 5K trail run in September).

Full Job Listing:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qk1797DJL84Rjvintx4XmJHw9pf6ho4U/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawH3ZRlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUcqnhn8aSYTp1OCm7myGtCzaWHU8pANPJP9ePDnKqngP-ACe8aoGjfUWw_aem_z12GlbXXap8FtDnSitiTfw

Apply through Indeed or LinkedIn or submit a resume and letter of interest directly to [email protected] by January 17, 2025.

Tickets for our 2025 DeSoto Amphitheater Series performances are now live! This year's outdoor concert series will run f...
01/16/2025

Tickets for our 2025 DeSoto Amphitheater Series performances are now live!

This year's outdoor concert series will run from May 24 - September 6th and feature 5 concerts, a PA Regional Ballet performance & a student production of Shakespeare in the Woods.

View the full lineup here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jhd8RRS0Pd1dAGKsmOhMOnEx6kk9ziEz/view

Purchase individual tickets: https://secure.nedsmithcenter.org/np/clients/nedsmithcenter/eventList.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1

Save $ with our 2025 season pass: https://secure.nedsmithcenter.org/np/clients/nedsmithcenter/event.jsp?event=1855

NOW HIRING: Nature/Arts Educator Intern (full-time, temporary position)The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is seekin...
01/15/2025

NOW HIRING: Nature/Arts Educator Intern
(full-time, temporary position)

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is seeking a college-level student who has successfully completed at least one year of college and is pursuing a degree in environmental education, art(s) education, or a conservation-related field to apply for a summer internship position.

See full job listing:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UPtW8aUrYnqO33QQOAgsxgGlS18oxlu9mvrTTlwaMOA/edit?tab=t.0

Address

176 Water Company Road
Millersburg, PA
17061

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Website

http://www.nedsmithcenter.org/

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Our Story

Rooted in the scenic Susquehanna Valley of Central Pennsylvania, we strive to be the leading institution for the collection and dissemination of art and natural history knowledge, particularly when the two intersect and reinforce one another. We are the repository for the art, writings and other work of the late Ned Smith, from whose life the center takes its original inspiration. The center seeks to appeal to all ages, races and genders across Pennsylvania and beyond. Our goal is to be viewed as a vibrant cornerstone to the cultural, economic, social and environmental life of the community.