2025 in Review
Cleaning out the Old. Making Way for the New.
We have made great strides in 2025 and two of the most visible are at the site of the future Springsong Museum. As part of our agreement with Montgomery Parks, the contents of the existing building at the site were fully cleared out in November, opening the way for Springsong to complete its pre-construction activities early in 2026. Parks staff filled multiple moving trucks and dumpsters with furniture and more and cleaned the now-empty three floors of the Burnt Mills structure. Earlier in the year, Springsong's engineers performed multiple site analyses, including geotechnical borings. It was thrilling to see the coordinates of the museum's modern addition staked out, giving a clear sense of how the new structure will transform the site to create a vibrant community resource.
Educating and Building Community
Even before opening our doors, in 2025, Springsong Museum's team reached over 1,500 people across our community through free hikes, educational programs, presentations, panels, and nature-based activities --bringing Springsong's mission to life by sharing Rachel Carson’s story and ideas and connecting people to the natural world.
Among Springsong's nearly two dozen speaking engagements this year, we presented on Rachel Carson to hundreds to Montgomery County Public School middle and high schoolers in March for Women's History Month and spoke to residents at senior living communities, including Riderwood, Leisure World, and Homewood (many of whom recall reading Carson's books as teens and young adults in the 1950s- early 1960s).
We have even more events planned for 2026 - check out the Upcoming Events page, or subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed!
Growing Our Expertise and Staff
As we create the museum's exhibit and program plans, staff continue its historical research at libraries and archives across the country, deepening our understanding of Rachel Carson’s work, life, and community. This year, we worked with papers and artifacts at Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the Smithsonian Institution Archives, and the National Conservation Training Center Museum & Archive, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. A highlight of this year's research was the discovery of Carson's unpublished prose poetry about parks near Sligo Creek and Rock Creek. Learn more about Springsong’s growing collection here.
Susan Kelly of Kelly Strategies joined the Springsong team this summer to support ongoing fundraising and develop our Capital Campaign Plan.
Meaningful Recognition
We are grateful for the many opportunities that were afforded to us this year, including the opportunity to present at the annual meeting of the American Society of Environmental History on a panel entitled Rachel Carson Revisited. Rebecca Henson was joined by renowned author Janice Nimura, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service national historian Mark Madison, and Rachel Carson Council President Bob Musil. We were also honored to participate in the 33rd annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) through an on-stage conversation with Laura Dunn, who's created several films on the legendary Wendell Berry. The year ended on a high note when Congressman Jamie Raskin recognized Rebecca through his "Local Hero" Video Series.
Meeting our Match -- twice!
Thanks to hundreds of individual donors and family foundations, Springsong has been able to meet not one but two donor match opportunities in 2025, both set by Dr. Linda Lear-- historian and Rachel Carson’s primary biographer-- and her husband John Nickum.
