National Eagle Center facts for kids
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Entrance to National Eagle Center Riverfront Building
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| Established | 1999 |
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| Location | 50 Pembroke Ave S. Wabasha, Minnesota, United States |
| Type | Interpretive center |
| Visitors | 85,000 (2018) |
The National Eagle Center is a special place in Wabasha, Minnesota, right by the Mississippi River. It's a nonprofit center and museum that teaches everyone about eagles. You can also learn about the Upper Mississippi River area where these amazing birds live.
At the center, you can see wild eagles flying around from special viewing spots. They also have bald eagles that can't live in the wild anymore. These eagles live at the center and help teach people. There are also fun, interactive exhibits about eagle science and history.
Contents
Discovering the History of the Eagle Center
The National Eagle Center is in a unique spot. Hundreds of bald eagles gather here all year long. They come to find fish because of a special natural event. The Chippewa River flows into the Mississippi. This creates a natural lake called Lake Pepin. The fast-moving water from the Chippewa River keeps the Mississippi from freezing in winter. This makes it a perfect fishing spot for eagles that are migrating.
How EagleWatch Started
In 1989, a group of local helpers called EagleWatch began. Mary Rivers led this group. They worked with the Wabasha Chamber of Commerce. They fixed up an old deck that was once used for paddleboats. This deck became a great place for people to watch eagles. In their first winter, over a thousand people came to see the bald eagles!
Growing the Eagle Center
EagleWatch became a nonprofit group in 1989. They worked with the City of Wabasha to get money from the state and federal governments. In 1998, the National Eagle Center got official recognition from the U.S. government. This helped them get support from groups like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For a short time, the City of Wabasha worked with the National Audubon Society. But they later decided to work with EagleWatch again. This was because most of the money raised was not staying with the Eagle Center.
Opening the First Center
In 1999, the National Eagle Center opened a temporary place. It was in a storefront building in downtown Wabasha. This center had two live bald eagles. Their names were Harriet and Angel. These eagles had injuries and could not go back to the wild.
Building the New Riverfront Home
In May 2007, the National Eagle Center opened its new building. It's a large, 14,200-square-foot (1,320 m2) center right on the Mississippi River. This new building has a special aviary for the eagles. It also has exhibits, classrooms, an auditorium, and a gift shop. The center now teaches about protecting the environment. It also shares Native American history and the important role of the bald eagle in American history.
Exploring the Center's Facilities
The National Eagle Center has many cool areas for visitors. You can get up close to eagles and learn about their lives.
Meet the Eagle Ambassadors
The National Eagle Center is home to eagles that can't live in the wild. They call these eagles "ambassadors." These birds live in a special indoor area. You can watch them through glass panels. Sometimes, visitors can even go inside the aviary!
Here are some of the current eagle ambassadors:
- Angel - Found with a broken wing in 1999. She arrived at the Center in 2000.
- Was'aka - He is blind in one eye due to a tumor. He joined the Center in 2009.
- Latsch - He is also blind in one eye. He was found in Florida in 2016 and arrived in 2018.
- Perseus - He had a serious wing injury. He was rescued in Missouri in 2021 and came to the Center in 2023.
Past Eagle Ambassadors
Here are some of the eagles who used to live at the center:
- Harriet (Bald eagle) - She was the very first eagle ambassador. She was injured in a car crash in 1998. Harriet passed away in 2016 at 35 years old.
- Columbia (Bald eagle) - She was hurt in a car crash and had lead poisoning. She arrived in 2003 and passed away in 2024.
- Donald (Golden eagle) - He was hit by a car and broke his wing. He arrived in 2008 and passed away in 2020.
Riverfront Amphitheater
In 2023, the National Eagle Center opened a new outdoor stage. This Riverfront Amphitheater can hold about 250 people. It's used for outdoor eagle programs in the summer. It also hosts private events and concerts.
Cultural Connections Gallery
This exhibit shows a buffalo hide that tells a Dakota creation story. There's also a video with comments from the artist, Javier Lara-Ruiz. This gallery helps visitors learn about the Dakota People and their history.
American Eagle Gallery
This gallery is where the Preston Cook American Eagle Collection is displayed. This huge collection has over 40,000 items! You can see original art, old artifacts, and items from pop culture, military, and more. The exhibits here change regularly.
Observation Decks
The center has two outdoor decks for viewing eagles. One is 25 feet high, and the other is at river level. They have spotting scopes to help you see wild bald eagles over the Mississippi River. You can also watch river boats and other wildlife.
Other Learning Areas
The center also has classrooms for learning. There are lecture halls and places for community gatherings. You can also see preserved animal specimens and birds in flight in the exhibit areas.
Special Events at the Center
The National Eagle Center hosts fun events throughout the year.
SOAR with the Eagles Festival
"SOAR with the Eagles" is an annual festival. It happens three times a year: in March, June, and September. This festival celebrates the bald eagles as they migrate along the Mississippi River. You can watch wild eagles, see animal presentations, and enjoy flying bird shows. There are also special exhibits and educational programs.
Leaders of the National Eagle Center
Here are the people who have led the National Eagle Center:
- Heidi Hughes, 1996-1998
- Mary Beth Garrigan, 2000-2012
- Rolf Thompson, 2012-2019
- Meg Gammage-Tucker, 2020–2023
- Karlin Symons, 2023–present
Images for kids
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View of National Eagle Center 1st floor.
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Eagle display area, also called "Ambassador Avenue".
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Guests visiting "Ambassador Avenue".
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View of the riverfront plaza and walkway just outside of the National Eagle Center.
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Ambassador Latsch during a program in the Riverfront Amphitheater.
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Summer crowd enjoying an outdoor Riverfront Amphitheater eagle program.
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Guest play the SOAR Like An Eagle interactive game.
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American Eagle Gallery, home to the world-class Preston Cook American Eagle Collection.
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Jim Stokes watching a video of himself in the Dakota Family Theater.
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National Eagle Center on The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert in 2007
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National Eagle Center on the Today Show.
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Entrance to the old Eagle Center Building on Main St.
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Original Eagle Observation Deck in 2006
