Frosty Drew: A History

The Frosty Drew Memorial Fund, Inc., was organized in 1981 and incorporated in 1982. Our Bylaws state that we are constituted exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. We develop and implement programs designed to educate the general public on a number of environmental and ecological subjects including an understanding of the natural world, the natural habitat of fish and wildlife, and astronomy.

The Frosty Drew Memorial Fund operates the Frosty Drew Nature Center & Observatory located at 61-62 Park Lane, Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI. Run by a volunteer Board of Directors, its operations are financed by memberships, private donations, grants, and fundraising.

In accordance with our priority to keep program fees as low as possible, our observatory is open to the public free of charge every Friday night and on special occasions.

Mission

The Frosty Drew Nature Center and Observatory are dedicated to environmental stewardship and delivering environmental education to people of all ages, with primary focus on marine and aquatic habitats and the night sky.

History

Shortly after the U.S. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field closed in 1973 the land was deeded to the town of Charlestown for use as a park & wildlife refuge. Visionaries saw this as an opportunity to establish a nature center as a memorial to Edwin F. “Frosty” Drew that would help people to develop an appreciation of, a respect for, and a connectedness with the natural world and to serve as a gateway to the new Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

The site that was chosen for the new nature center overlooked a freshwater pond on the southern boundary of the new park. The building chosen had been the Chief Petty Officer's residence and had not been used since the U.S. Navy left Charlestown in the early 1970s. It was in need of extensive improvements and modification.

The building was moved to its present site by the town of Charlestown and sealed from the weather. The Frosty Drew Memorial Fund directed the development of the project and solicited funds. Businesses donated materials, and many volunteers and town personnel helped with the work. The Frosty Drew Nature Center was the first building to open in the new park, on July 3, 1983.

Since 1983, we have made many improvements to the Nature Center and its grounds. Then, in 1988, we added the Observatory, where many have developed a lifelong interest in astronomy. In 2010, we added the John G. Drew Sky Theatre to give more people the opportunity to enjoy astronomy.

Over 30 years ago we began from a vision, and we thank many for the realization of that vision. The town of Charlestown has been consistent in its support of the Frosty Drew Mission since our beginning. Organizations such as The Rhode Island Foundation, The Champlin Foundations, Prince Charitable Trusts of Chicago, Concerned Citizens of Rhode Island, and others, have supplied grants to enable us to build facilities, purchase equipment, and enrich our programs. Individuals and businesses donated materials, labor, and other support. The dedication and hard work of countless volunteers has also helped to carry out the work of Frosty Drew.
Frosty Drew Nature Center

The Nature Center has an exhibit/meeting room, a small kitchen, two restrooms, and a library. Trees shading the lawn were donated by a local garden club, and there are flowering cherry trees and a memorial garden in the front yard. Placed in the walk leading to the front door are paver stones with names of the original founders and of those who love and have loved nature, dark skies, Ninigret Park, and Charlestown. The Nature Center is surrounded on two sides by a large deck with benches. Stairs from the deck lead to a memorial patio, gardens, and a bench overlooking Little Nini Pond. Attached to the Nature Center is the John G. Drew Sky Theatre. The Nature Center, Sky Theatre, and deck are handicap accessible.