577 Foundation

"Where people learn to like the land." - Virginia Secor Stranahan

Founded by Virginia Secor Stranahan, The 577 Foundation is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the historic property at 577 East Front Street in Perrysburg, Ohio. The Foundation, open to all, is an ecologically sensitive place that encourages diversity and seeks to foster exploration, experimentation, personal enjoyment and creativity in education. The Foundation nurtures innovative ideas and will change to reflect the interests of the community.

Web site: 577Foundation.org

• History
• Adult and Youth Classes
• The Life of Virginia Secor Stranahan in Pictures: page 1 - page 2 - page 3
• Address: 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551

Larger map

The 577 Grounds

For more information, a map, and photos, visit The 577 Foundation grounds Web page.

• Cottage - It now serves as a perfect setting for small workshops, conferences, and meetings for non-profit groups. It's also a cozy place for classes that vary from cooking to yoga.

• Machinery Room - Remodeled in 1994, this space is offered for non-profit small group meetings and activities.

• Carriage Room - The Once-Read Book Center is open daily and operated by non-profit groups. The proceeds from the purchase of books benefit the group in charge as well as Read For Literacy.

• Cow Barn - now used for pottery classes

• Dairy - Remodeled in 2001, this room provides fun information on bees, birds, rocks, and trees. Also displayed are picture collages of Virginia Secor Stranahan and The 577 Foundation. Especially interesting is an indoor honey bee hive, collecting pollen and feeding the brood.

• Log Cabin - Built in 1804 and replicated to be an example of the 19th century, it's a perfect setting for the community to use for educational, historical programs and events.

• 577 Foundation House - In 1935, Duane and Virginia Stranahan built this magnificent home and raised their family here. The gift of the home in 1997 enabled The 577 Foundation to open the doors for non-profit organizations to have day-long and multiple day conferences in this wonderful residential setting.

• Geodesic Biodome - An inspiration of Buckminster Fuller, this geodesic structure is used as a year-round greenhouse. The partially solar energized facility provides an example of organically grown flowers, herbs, and vegetables developed and managed by the horticulturist on staff.

• Virginia's Children's Garden - This interactive garden developed for children was designed in 2002, a vision by two staff members from Northern California. "A space that fosters a natural occurring educational process within the ever-curious child"- no better words described the child-like Virginia Stranahan, of whom this garden is in memory.

• Community Gardens - This area is now enjoyed by many people trying out their green thumbs in the Community Garden spaces for organic growing. We provide the space, the water, the tools, organic advice, but it is your garden!

• Did's Dig - Discover a 350 million year old past in the silica shale fossil rock pile. In your search you might find fossils of clams, sea lilies, corals, trilobites and bony fishes including sharks!

• Nursery - The Nursery is [577's] store house for a variety of native trees and shrubs. Grown from seedlings, these plants will enable us a future of continual planting around the grounds. Some of the techniques practiced in the Nursery are based on Permaculture, a system for creating sustainable environments that have a beneficial impact on humans and wildlife alike.

• Compost Corner - The community organic gardeners are asked to take their garden scraps to this area to be composted. Wire bins hold the ingredients (leaves, grass, weeds, vegetable matter, soil) used to create a rich fertilizer to be put back into the gardens.

• River Walk - A grassy trail winds through an apple, peach, and pear orchard to a hill top view of the Maumee River.

• Maze - The maze (usually ready by mid-summer) was designed for children, by children! Planted with sorghum, the paths in the tall grassy area twist and turn with surprises at dead ends.

• Bird Blind - November through May, birds (and squirrels) are fed daily here. Sit in an outdoor lean-to structure which provides privacy for you to quietly observe and identify the birds and critters and their eating habits.

• Honey Bee Hives - Local beekeeper takes care of 6-10 hives on The 577 Foundation property. These hives provide observation for education on the life of the honey bee. The thousands of bees gathering nectar from The 577 Foundation Gardens to produce honey also perform the vital function of pollination, helping the gardens to produce flowers & vegetables.

Trees of the 577

While at the 577, pick up a "Tree Tour" map brochure for a self-guided tour and detailed description of the trees of The 577 Foundation. The trees you can find at the 577 include natives along with some exotics. This is a handy, little educational tool for learning to identify some of our native trees.