Webster House Children’s Home
Webster House Children’s Home provides a safe, supportive home for children who are unable to live at home primarily for reasons of abuse, neglect or difficulties in the community.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
Mission Statement:
The mission of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is to inspire every generation to reach for the stars, through engaging, artful and entertaining activities that explore astronomy, aviation, the Earth and space science.
Top Funding Sources:
55% of our revenue is generated through general admission, program sales and facility rentals. The remain 45% come from federal, state and foundation grants and the generous contributions made by individuals and businesses.
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2013
EMPLOYEES: 11 full time, 9 part time
ANNUAL REVENUE: $1,232,608
Service Locations:
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center welcomes visitors from all over the world to our Concord, NH-based exhibit galleries and planetarium theater. We serve cities and towns throughout New England through outreach programs to schools, libraries and community centers.
Contact:
Melissa Edwards
Executive Director
2 Institute Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-415-1646
medwards@starhop.com
www.starhop.com
2026 Goals:
After 12 years as a nonprofit, the Discovery Center is taking strategic steps to design new, mission-driven exhibits that will enhance visitor engagement and deepen our community impact. With the support of a professional exhibit design firm, we are creating a comprehensive exhibit plan, building internal leadership capacity and launching a community-focused messaging campaign to lay the groundwork for a future capital campaign. These targeted goals reflect our commitment to innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth as we bring this transformation of the Discovery Center to life.
Fundraising Events:
- 40th Anniversary of the Challenger Disaster. Join us for a month-long tribute honoring the Challenger crew, especially Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space. Special programs include a new exhibit, lectures, films and workshops that celebrate Christa’s legacy and inspire future explorers.
- The 3rd Annual Drive for the Sky Golf Tournament in June is a day of friendly competition to support the Discovery Center’s work in delivering high-quality STEM education for learners of all ages. Join us at the beautiful Canterbury Woods Country Club for a day of purpose, play and impact on Thursday, June 4.
- AerospaceFest on the 3rd Saturday in September is our annual celebration of all things STEM. This family-friendly event includes exhibitors from local science and educational organizations, hands-on activities, the presentation of the Alex Higgins Memorial Space Camp Scholarship to award winners, the premiere of a new planetarium show and more! The event saw 800 visitors in 2025 and provides unique opportunities for corporate partnership and individual support.
Giving Opportunities:
The Discovery Center always accepts individual and business contributions through our website at www.starhop.com/donation. Other giving opportunities include corporate memberships, DAF and planned giving, and naming opportunities, sponsoring an exhibit or planetarium show, or naming a brick or paver on our Science Playground. Please contact us to learn how you can support our mission!
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers assist with all aspects of the Discovery Center’s work. From working directly with visitors and school groups running demonstrations, planetarium shows and the observatory to keeping the Center looking its best through exhibit maintenance and landscaping, we have opportunities available for individuals with varied interests. For more information, visit www.starhop.com/volunteer.
Board Officers / Board Members
Bart Fromuth, Esq.
Board Chair
Freedom Energy Logistics
Dr. Steven J. Davis
Vice-Chair
Retired chief scientist,
Physical Sciences, Inc.
Harold Turner
Secretary
Retired engineer and founder
H.L. Turner Group Inc.
Daniel Bursch
Treasurer
Retired NASA astronaut
and naval flight officer
Christopher Wolfe
MNR Technology
Dr. Julia Dupuis
Physical Sciences, Inc.
Robert Letourneau
Retired state senator
Dr. Stewart Levenson
Dartmouth Hitchcock,
Concord
David Luneau
State legislator
Dr. James MacKay
Psychologist, private practice
State legislator
Richard McKenna
Atlantic Strategies
Brian Parson
Davis & Towle Insurance
Group
Diane Sullivan
Health sciences educator
Charitable Giving Guide
This profile is part of NH Business Review’s 2026 Charitable Giving Guide.
To learn more about the Charitable Giving Guide and other New Hampshire nonprofit organizations, please visit www.nhbr.com/CGG.
