A statement to our community

Dear Members of our Community,

I am writing on behalf of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center to address concerns that have been raised regarding a recently scheduled private event at our facility.

The Discovery Center is, and always has been, a non-partisan educational organization. Our mission is to serve the entire community — from school programs and public science education to family visits, weddings, nonprofit gatherings, and annual meetings. We work hard to ensure our facility is welcoming and accessible to everyone.

We recently agreed to rent space to a group that presented itself as a civic organization. Upon further review, it became clear that the nature and purpose of the event were not what we understood them to be at the time of booking. While we strive to rent only to groups whose activities align with our educational mission and community values, we are legally bound by an executed rental agreement and cannot cancel the event.

This experience has shown us that we need clearer policies on the use of our facility. As a result, we will be revising our rental application forms, review procedures, and policies so that future bookings are clear and consistent with the Discovery Center’s mission.

To be clear, the Discovery Center does not endorse the views of any private renters. Because we do not wish to benefit from this situation, any proceeds received from this particular event will be donated.

We regret that we find ourselves in this position and we are committed to doing better going forward. We appreciate the support and understanding of our community and remain dedicated to providing a welcoming, educational, and respectful space for all.

Sincerely,
Melissa Edwards
Executive Director
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center