STAMFORD — The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has named and dedicated The Lynn & Stephen Cohen Gallery within its Stamford Museum Galleries at the Bendel Mansion in recognition of the couple’s long-standing generosity.
The Cohens were honored last week for both their philanthropy and transformative recent giving as founding investors in the SM&NC’s Campaign for Future Generations. A recent part of that philanthropy was a guiding force behind the new Astronomy Center there.
For more than two decades, Lynn Villency Cohen, the museum’s longest-serving board member, has been a visionary in advancing the museum’s mission by chairing the Exhibitions & Collections Committee. Driven by a passion for the arts and culture, she has guided the stewardship of the permanent art collection and helped to shape a dynamic exhibition program that engages visitors of all ages with art, nature, and science.
“Lynn and Stephen’s support is a true legacy — one that honors decades of dedicated service while ensuring a bright future for the SM&NC,” said museum CEO Melissa H. Mulrooney. “Lynn has been a guiding force for our exhibitions and collections, helping us deliver on our promise to provide world-class resources for astronomy, physical science, and environmental stewardship — all hallmarks of our mission.”
Under Lynn’s leadership, the committee ensures the care of the museum’s permanent collection of more than 20,000 objects, evaluates potential acquisitions, and curates a seasonal lineup of exhibitions designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences and artistic tastes.
The Cohens have been instrumental in creating the new Astronomy Center — a facility that will revitalize the physical sciences pillar of the Museum’s mission by bringing its astronomy and planetarium programs together under one roof for the first time in its nearly 90-year history.
Set to open to the public in mid-November, the new 11,000-square-foot Astronomy Center marks the second phase of the SM&NC’s Campaign for Future Generations. The first phase was completed in 2018 with the opening of the Knobloch Family Farmhouse. Together, these projects realize the organization’s Master Plan to expand educational and public spaces, and to build capacity for future generations.
“The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has been a joyful constant in my life for over 25 years,” said Lynn Villency Cohen. “It’s been a privilege to be an upfront witness to extraordinary growth on the campus with the addition of two new buildings, the expansion of creative and educational programming for adults and children, and to have an active, rewarding role in our robust lineup of art exhibitions.
“I am honored to share this dedication with my husband Stephen, whose commitment to the Museum — personally, and through his long-standing connection to EY — is truly special for us.”
Mulrooney credits the Cohens with inspiring others to donate to the museum.
“Lynn and Stephen lead by example, inspiring others to see the power of philanthropy in action,” she said. “We invite great families, corporations and leaders to follow their example by investing in our Campaign for Future Generations and in the SM&NC’s enduring success as a statewide treasure.”
