Springsong Museum Moves Forward

Ziger|Snead Architects has been selected to lead the design of the Springsong Museum, a new cultural and environmental center dedicated to the legacy of writer, scientist, and environmental advocate Rachel Carson. Located at Burnt Mills East Park in Montgomery County, Maryland, near the neighborhoods where Carson lived and wrote, the museum will offer a space for learning, connection, and reflection rooted in her vision of ecological awareness and public engagement.

The Springsong Museum will serve as a community resource dedicated to promoting environmental literacy and the arts. Through immersive exhibits, site-sensitive architecture, and outdoor programming, the museum aims to foster curiosity, understanding, and a deeper relationship with the natural world. Carson’s belief that wonder is the foundation of care continues to shape the museum’s mission and design approach. Z|S is collaborating with the Springsong Museum organization, Montgomery Parks, and local stakeholders to create a space that is accessible, ecologically responsive, and inclusive for all.

"The Springsong project shares many of the same values we care about as a practice,” said Katelin Etoh, Managing Partner at Ziger|Snead Architects. “The vision for this new landmark is about community, education, and designing with sensitivity to both history and place.”

Community engagement is ongoing, with concept design advancing in tandem with Montgomery Parks’ planning process.