Norman Bird Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
The Norman Bird Sanctuary is a 325 acres (1.3 km²) bird sanctuary, nature preserve, and museum
at 583 Third Beach Road in Middletown, Rhode Island
overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
.
In 1950 the Norman Bird Sanctuary was founded through a bequest
in the will of Mabel Norman Cerio. The Sanctuary comprises the largest area of preserved open space in Newport County
. The refuge contains hay
fields, woodland
s and ridges overlooking the ocean and ponds. There is also a Visitor's Center and gift shop, and a 19th Century Barn Museum featuring displays about the wildlife for children and adults.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
at 583 Third Beach Road in Middletown, Rhode Island
Middletown, Rhode Island
Middletown is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,150 at the 2010 census. It lies to the south of Portsmouth and to the north of Newport on Aquidneck Island, hence the name "Middletown."-Geography:...
overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
.
In 1950 the Norman Bird Sanctuary was founded through a bequest
Bequest
A bequest is the act of giving property by will. Strictly, "bequest" is used of personal property, and "devise" of real property. In legal terminology, "bequeath" is a verb form meaning "to make a bequest."...
in the will of Mabel Norman Cerio. The Sanctuary comprises the largest area of preserved open space in Newport County
Newport County, Rhode Island
-National protected areas:* Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge* Touro Synagogue National Historic Site-History:Newport County was constituted on June 22, 1703, as one of the two original counties of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. As originally established, Newport...
. The refuge contains hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
fields, woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
s and ridges overlooking the ocean and ponds. There is also a Visitor's Center and gift shop, and a 19th Century Barn Museum featuring displays about the wildlife for children and adults.