Mission Statement
To inspire people to learn about and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the county and to advocate for their stewardship.
Dedicated to Lathrope E. Smith, in 1972, Meadowside Nature Center (MNC) offers an array of programs, exhibits, gardens, and trails which interpret both the natural and cultural history of Maryland.
Exhibits
Legacy of the Land
This exhibit offers a unique opportunity to explore the story of Montgomery County’s natural heritage
through a multitude of sensory experiences. Listen to song birds sing over head. Crawl through a cave.
Feel the fur of woodland animals. And, pleasure your senses with the fragrances of local plants.
Legacy People
This exhibit opens your imagine to life as a pioneer child or eastern woodland Indian during the 1800’s.
As a pioneer child, you can play with old time toys, dress up in authentic clothing, and cook a traditional
pioneer dinner. As an eastern woodland Indian child, you can explore life in a long house, hop in a dugout
canoe and go fishing, or grind corn for making meals.
Curiosity Corner
This child-friendly environment contains books, games, puzzles, and puppets that will delight any budding
naturalist. Take to the skies with your own pair of colorful Butterfly wings. Watch the bustling honey bees
turn nectar in honey. Spot the box turtle napping under his favorite long. Or, enjoy our feathered friends
as they grab a snack at the feeders.
Outside Meadowside
Theme Gardens
Butterfly Garden, Heritage Herb Garden, Heritage Vegetable Garden, Hummingbird Garden.
Raptor Aviary
The raptor aviaries are located behind the nature center and contains different birds of prey, including hawks, owls, a Turkey Vulture and a Bald Eagle.
Nature Trails
The nature center has more than seven miles of trail that explores habitats that include meadows, woods, ponds, streams, a lake and areas of historical interest.
MNC trail map (pdf, 365KB)
Other interesting sites
Muncaster Mill Ruins, Valient Covered Bridge, Cemetery, Pioneer Farmstead, Wildlife Management Area, and Lake Frank.
Date of last update: February 24, 2009
Montgomery County Department of Parks