Hawk Mountain Announces New Visitor Center Construction to Begin Spring 2027
Posted on October 15, 2026 in General
On Thursday, October 15, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary announced that it will move forward with construction of a new Visitor Center and Center for Global Raptor Conservation, with demolition of the existing Visitor Center anticipated in the spring of 2027 with construction to immediately follow.
The announcement marks a major milestone in one of the most significant projects in Hawk Mountain's more than 90-year history.
Hawk Mountain has raised $10 million toward the project's $13 million campaign goal, with $3 million left to raise as Sanctuary enters the final phase of the campaign.
“With $10 million already committed and construction costs continuing to rise, Hawk Mountain's Board has determined that spring 2027 is the right time to move forward with this historic project,” said Sean Grace, President of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
“We are tremendously grateful to the donors who have supported us to this point, and we're excited to invite the entire Hawk Mountain community to help us finish what we started.”
A New Gateway to Hawk Mountain
The new Visitor Center and Center for Global Raptor Conservation will replace the Sanctuary's aging Visitor Center. The facility will be fully accessible, energy-efficient, and designed to better serve visitors and to showcase Hawk Mountain's local to global conservation reach.
Plans include a soaring timber-frame entrance with vaulted ceilings, welcoming covered porches and terraces, an outdoor fireplace, a multipurpose education room, new interpretive exhibits, native landscaping and bird feeding/observation areas, bird-friendly glass windows, and sustainable “Green” building features.
The new Center will provide a welcoming gateway where families gather, students discover nature, scientists share their work, and visitors from around the world learn about raptors and Hawk Mountain's local-to-global conservation mission.
The building will also carry important pieces of Hawk Mountain's history into its future, including the stained-glass art piece and carved beam from the current entrance.
Hawk Mountain Will Remain Open
While the existing Visitor Center will be demolished as construction gets underway, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will remain open throughout the construction period.
Visitors will continue to have access to the Sanctuary trails and overlooks, with a temporary visitor service area provided during construction. Educational programming and public events will continue as well. Detailed information about visitor check-in, parking, restrooms, accessibility, programs, and other temporary arrangements will be announced before construction begins and will be available on the Hawk Mountain website.
“Our visitors are an important part of the story,” Grace said. “The Mountain isn't closing. We're positioning for future growth, and we want people to continue coming here to experience Hawk Mountain while they see the new Visitor Center take shape before their eyes.”
Building on More Than 90 Years of Conservation
Founded in 1934 by conservationist Rosalie Edge, Hawk Mountain became the world's first refuge for birds of prey and helped transform public attitudes toward raptors.
Today, the Sanctuary protects approximately 2,600 acres along Pennsylvania's Kittatinny Ridge and carries out conservation science, education, forest stewardship, and professional training programs with impacts extending far beyond the Mountain.
The new Center is designed to better tell that story, from the historic effort to stop the shooting of migrating raptors at Hawk Mountain to the Sanctuary's modern conservation research, international training, environmental education, and habitat stewardship programs. New exhibits are now in development and will introduce visitors to the extraordinary world of raptors while highlighting Hawk Mountain's history, conservation science, and its global reach.
The Final $3 Million
As construction approaches, Hawk Mountain is entering the final phase of its capital campaign. Sanctuary leaders emphasized that the decision to move forward reflects both the extraordinary progress already made and the importance of completing the campaign.
“Thousands of people have a Hawk Mountain story: a first visit, a school field trip, a day at North Lookout, or a moment when a migrating hawk passed overhead,” said Board Chair Beth Hucker.
“This project is about making sure those experiences continue for generations to come and we need your help.”
Hawk Mountain is inviting members, visitors, donors, and friends to help raise the remaining $3 million needed to complete the $13 million campaign.
$13 million goal, $10 million raised, and $3 million to go.
“Everyone who has supported this campaign has helped bring us to this moment,” Grace said. “Someday soon, when people walk through the doors of this new Center, our donors will be able to say, ‘I helped build that.’”
For project updates, architectural renderings, and information about supporting the campaign, visit www.hawkmountain.org/visitorcentercampaign.