Something extraordinary is about to take flight at Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center. After months of anticipation, we’re thrilled to officially open the Dobkin Butterfly Habitat on May 23 – an immersive new experience where nature’s color and beauty surround you in motion.
Step inside the enclosure and share the space with live butterflies as they flutter, feed, and glide through a carefully designed habitat. This project was made possible through the generosity of Amy and Robert Dobkin, who established the Habitat in memory of their son, Jacob, and in honor of their son Ben’s experiences at Schrader. We celebrated the groundbreaking in September, and seeing this vision come to life this spring has been truly inspiring.
The Dobkin Butterfly Habitat is also a wonderful new addition to an already special place at Schrader. Just steps away, visitors can explore the Corson Wildflower and Butterfly Garden, created in 2004 through the generosity of Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. and Joan Stamp in honor of Joan’s mother, Joan Stifel Corson. Together, these spaces invite guests to experience pollinators — and the plants they depend on — in a whole new way.
Inside the Habitat, guests will encounter 26 different species of butterflies — all native to West Virginia. Local expert Heather Tokas, founder of West Virginia Butterfly Day, is helping bring these butterflies to Schrader, raising them from caterpillars and sharing the story of each life stage.
Oglebay Institute President Danielle Cross McCracken says the experience is unlike anything else in the region, “This habitat will be different because you can actually go inside and interact with the butterflies — and learn more about the environment they need to thrive.”
Mark your calendar for May 23 and be among the first to experience the Dobkin Butterfly Habitat. The Habitat will be open during regular hours, 9am-4pm daily. We can’t wait to welcome you inside.
