MIDDLETOWN – The 300-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary, formerly known as Paradise Farm, this week was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The sanctuary, which is run out of an 18th-century farmhouse on the property, was established in 1949. It had been the summer residence of Mabel Norman Cerio, who “opened the land to nature lovers, allowing them to explore, discover and observe the beauty of the property,” according to the sanctuary. She willed the property into preservation in perpetuity.
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The sanctuary provides science programming for schools, community groups, adults and families. Annually, more than 6,000 people take a course at the sanctuary.
“Paradise Farm is a symbol of what can rise from foresight and a commitment,” sanctuary Executive Director Rob Cardeiro said in a statement announcing the listing. “It is an honor to be recognized by the National Register and we hope it will further the mission of the Norman Bird Sanctuary to a larger audience.”
The sanctuary is raising funds to restore the farmhouse, the organization said.
