577 Foundation

577 Foundation Open to all, 577 builds a creative, caring community through curiosity and lifelong learning. Most importantly, 577 is about spreading joy and having fun! Share.

"The 577 Foundation is a work of art being molded by the community." - Virginia Secor Stranahan

Open to all, 577 builds a creative, caring community through curiosity and lifelong learning. This enduring passion extends to all facets of 577— from ecological balance and environmental sustainability, to broadening minds, stimulating imagination, and expanding horizons. Carrying on the legacy of our

founder Virginia Secor Stranahan, 577 nurtures innovation, evolution, and growth while respecting established, time-honored practices and techniques. As Virginia would say ~ "Whatever we do here, let's be educational, environmental, experimental, and let's have fun". Since 1988, 577 has continued to evolve and meet the needs of the community with the help of many community members' ideas, volunteers, seasonal, part-time, and full-time staff, and a lot of serendipity. Learn more about 577's history and how you can get involved on our website at 577foundation.org

Register for a class at https://577foundation.recdesk.com



Connect. Discover. Stop by for a visit and explore nature and the history of this special place. Improve your skills and pursue your interests by taking one of our many classes.

577 is open daily, 9am to 5pm. No admission fee.*

*577 is closed Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day



The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop
577 is your place to discover new curiosities. Browse the collection of thousands of gently-used books with selections for all ages and interests. View the display of handmade pottery for sale created by students at 577. Plus, crafters, teachers, artists, and students will love browsing the large selection of art supplies now available. 577 staff is available to answer any questions on items available, upcoming classes, and more. Shop Hours:
• Mondays: Closed
• Tuesdays: Closed
• Wednesdays: 10am to 4pm
• Thursdays: 10am to 4pm
• Fridays: 10am to 4pm
• Saturdays: 10am to 4pm
• Sundays: Closed

*Hours are subject to change. Any adjustments to hours will be announced on social media. Many thanks to the First Solar Community Giving Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation for grant funding to convert the Book Center to the Curiosity Shop in 2022.

Around the Grounds with Bennett 🌿In the long window of spring flowering bulbs at The 577 Foundation, the ornamental onio...
05/29/2026

Around the Grounds with Bennett 🌿

In the long window of spring flowering bulbs at The 577 Foundation, the ornamental onions (Allium) are some of the last to blossom. Blooming in the crescent-shaped bed near the kaleidoscope is a collection of Star of Persia, or Allium christophii. With large heads composed of dozens of star-shaped flowers, these onions rise dreamily among the neighboring plants in the garden.

Ornamental onions are planted as bulbs from October to November. Star of Persia needs well-drained soils in full to part sun and can be a reliable perennial for a number of years.

Whether you’re visiting for a class, a walk, or a little quiet time in the gardens, keep an eye out for these beautiful blooms.

The 577 Foundation is located at 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio. The grounds are open daily from 9am to 5pm, and our Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop is open Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

We hope to see you soon! 💜

Photo Description: A series of photos featuring Star of Persia ornamental onions blooming at 577. Images include the crescent-shaped garden bed where the flowers are planted, close-up views of the large globe-shaped blooms, and detailed shots of the individual star-shaped purple flowers. Sunlight highlights the blooms against lush green garden foliage.

School may be wrapping up, but the learning, creativity, and connection don’t have to stop. This July, the Riverwalk Str...
05/28/2026

School may be wrapping up, but the learning, creativity, and connection don’t have to stop. This July, the Riverwalk String Workshop returns to 577 for another inspiring week of music, mindfulness, nature, and friendship. 🌿🎻

Young musicians in grades 6 to 12 are invited to spend the week learning from world-class musicians while growing their skills through small group instruction, one-on-one coaching, live performances, and creative experiences across the 577 grounds. Students will also enjoy mindfulness and creativity sessions with the Toledo Mindfulness Institute and nature-based art activities led by 577 staff.

The week concludes with a special outdoor concert on Friday, July 24, from 2pm to 3pm on 577’s Outdoor Stage, open to family, friends, and the community.

Last summer’s final performance filled the gardens with beautiful music, joyful energy, and proud moments for students and families alike. We can’t wait to welcome these talented young musicians back to 577 this summer. 💚

Registration is open now!
577foundation.org/classes-events/youth-family

Riverwalk String Workshop Week
📅 Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24
⏰ 9am to 3pm
📍 577 Foundation
🎶 Young musicians in grades 6 to 12; Open to violin, viola, cello, and bass students with at least 2 years of private instruction
💲 $250 (includes lunch each day)



Photo Alt: A group of young string musicians and instructors stand and sit outdoors on the grass at 577 following a performance. Students hold violins, violas, cellos, and basses while surrounded by lush green trees and gardens. The bottom portion of the image includes text promoting the Riverwalk String Workshop taking place Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24 for young musicians in grades 6 to 12.

More art in more places. More joy to more people. 🎨✨A few weeks ago, our Executive Director, Heather Gallant, attended t...
05/27/2026

More art in more places. More joy to more people. 🎨✨

A few weeks ago, our Executive Director, Heather Gallant, attended the Ohio Arts Council’s Arts Impact Ohio conference in Cincinnati and came back inspired by one simple idea:

“More people making art in more places brings more joy to more people.”

In this week's blog post, Heather reflects on creativity, sidewalk chalk artist David Zinn, the fear of the blank canvas, and why making art is often more about curiosity, connection, and the joy of trying than creating something perfect.

At 577, we see this every day. It might be someone trying clay for the first time, making that first brushstroke, sewing into special fabric they’ve been saving, or simply giving themselves permission to create.

And with July classes now open for registration, this feels like the perfect invitation to try something new. 😊 Explore classes in pottery, gardening, cooking, fiber arts, wellness, studio arts, youth & family programming, and more: 577foundation.org/classes-events

Read Heather’s full reflection: 577foundation.org/2026/05/26/more-art-in-more-places-more-joy-to-more-people



Photo Description: (1) A small whimsical chalk drawing of a winged pig peeks out from a square section of sidewalk pavement, surrounded by brick pavers. Artist: David Zinn. (2) Executive Director Heather Gallant presents during the Arts Impact Ohio conference in Cincinnati, standing beside a projected presentation screen while speaking to attendees.

🐸 Psst… did you hear? July classes open for registration this Wednesday, May 27, at 9am!Returning favorites, fresh new c...
05/27/2026

🐸 Psst… did you hear? July classes open for registration this Wednesday, May 27, at 9am!

Returning favorites, fresh new classes, and plenty of reasons to explore something new this summer. Keep an eye out… even the garden critters seem excited. 🌿✨

Explore June & July Classes: 577foundation.org/classes-events



Photo Description: A spotted brown-and-green frog rests beneath leafy garden plants and tangled stems, peeking out from the soil and clover in a lush summer garden at 577.

Come on in—577 is open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, from 9am to 5pm. The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop will also b...
05/25/2026

Come on in—577 is open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, from 9am to 5pm. The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop will also be open during those hours.

Stroll the gardens, visit the Geodesic Biodome, explore the Log House and Bee Room, or simply enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. Admission is always free, and everyone is welcome. Please note: the Dome, Log House, and Bee Room close at 4:30pm.

As we honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country, we invite you to spend a moment of reflection and peace in the gardens.

Find us at 577 East Front Street in Perrysburg—we’d love to see you.



📸 Photo taken in the Courtyard at 577, with the U.S. flag gently waving near the Welcome Center.

Storytime at 577 Returns Wednesdays This Summer! ☀️📚Join us every Wednesday morning from June 3 through August 26 for a ...
05/25/2026

Storytime at 577 Returns Wednesdays This Summer! ☀️📚

Join us every Wednesday morning from June 3 through August 26 for a summer filled with stories, songs, movement, and playful adventures around the gardens at 577.

Gather with Miss Jane, 577 friends, and occasional guest readers as favorite books come to life on the Outdoor Stage. Many of the stories featured throughout the summer have also appeared along our StoryWalk®, creating even more ways to connect reading with nature and exploration.

Storytime Sessions 🕙 10am & 11am

📍 Outdoor Stage at 577 (577 East Front St., Perrysburg)
🌧 Rain locations announced as needed

Storytime is free and open to all, with no preregistration required. Best suited for children ages 2 to 6, though siblings of all ages are always welcome.

Each session is limited to 20 children, so we encourage families to arrive on time to help ensure space for everyone.

We can’t wait to welcome families back for another joyful summer of stories, curiosity, creativity, and connection at 577. 🌿✨



Photo Description: Miss Jane wearing a sunhat reads outdoors to a small group of young children gathered on the Outdoor Stage surrounded by lush green gardens at 577.

New in the Curiosity Shop: Meet 577 Community Author Megan Grunden and her sweet new children’s book, "Turla Shines Brig...
05/23/2026

New in the Curiosity Shop: Meet 577 Community Author Megan Grunden and her sweet new children’s book, "Turla Shines Bright". 💖🐢✨📚

Inspired by her daughter’s kindness, love for her pink turtle stuffy, and passion for books, Megan created a heartfelt story filled with meaningful lessons for young readers and their grown-ups. Throughout Turla’s adventures, children will discover important values woven gently into the story, encouraging connection, conversation, and compassion.

Megan is an Intensive Care Nurse, crafter, and mom, and this is her first published children’s book. We are excited to feature her as one of our 577 Community Authors in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop.

Stop by to check out "Turla Shines Bright" and support a local author. 🌟

📍 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg
🕘 Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop: Open Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm



Photo Description: A display in the 577 Curiosity Shop featuring the children’s book "Turla Shines Bright" by Megan Grunden. Several copies of the pastel-colored book are stacked on a wooden table beside a framed 577 Community Author sign with Megan’s photo and biography.

Around the Grounds with Bennett: Honeysuckles 🌿❤️💛Honeysuckles get a bad rap, and deservedly so, because there are some ...
05/22/2026

Around the Grounds with Bennett: Honeysuckles 🌿❤️💛

Honeysuckles get a bad rap, and deservedly so, because there are some real troublesome honeysuckle species invasive to Ohio. However, there are several honeysuckle species native to the Eastern US, one of them being the coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).

We have six coral honeysuckles planted on the arbors entering the front courtyard; three of them have the coral flowers typical to the species and are the cultivar ‘Major Wheeler’ and the other three are a gold cultivar called ‘John Clayton’.

Native to the southeastern US, coral honeysuckle is well-adapted to our region and is blanketed with flowers this time of year that continue sporadically throughout the growing season. The intense coral-pink flowers form red berries that are devoured by birds. When considering a vine for your garden, the coral honeysuckle is an option that is well-behaved, colorful all season, and beneficial to native birds and pollinators.

Find these beautiful coral honeysuckles climbing the arbors at the Courtyard entrance, growing a little more each day and welcoming guests with vibrant blooms throughout the season.

We will be open all holiday weekend, including Memorial Day!
🌸 Gardens & Grounds: Daily, 9am–5pm, Open to all, free admission
🐝 Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop: Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm, including Memorial Day

📍 577 East Front St., Perrysburg, Ohio

— Bennett O. Dowling, 577 Organic Landscape Horticulturist



Photo Descriptions: (1) Bright coral-pink honeysuckle blooms covered in morning dew. (2) Golden yellow honeysuckle flowers climbing a black arbor in the sunlight. (3) The arbors leading into the 577 Courtyard surrounded by greenery and blooming vines. (4) Yellow coral honeysuckle winding around an entrance arbor near the Courtyard. (5) Coral-pink honeysuckle blooms climbing an arbor surrounded by purple flowering plants.

Celebrate Juneteenth with us at 577 through an uplifting afternoon of live jazz, community, and connection. 🎶✨Award-winn...
05/21/2026

Celebrate Juneteenth with us at 577 through an uplifting afternoon of live jazz, community, and connection. 🎶✨

Award-winning vocalist Donna E. Scott will be joined by Pete Ford on keyboard and Norman Damschroder on bass for a soulful performance honoring Juneteenth through the enduring traditions of jazz and Black musical artistry.

Known for her rich contralto voice and dynamic stage presence, Donna has performed at festivals, jazz clubs, and educational programs throughout the United States and abroad. Together, this talented ensemble will bring an inspiring afternoon of music to the Outdoor Stage at 577.

Donna Scott & Friends Salute Juneteenth
📅 Friday, June 19
🕚 11am–1pm
📍 Outdoor Stage at 577 (577 East Front St., Perrysburg)
🎟 Free Concert • Open to All • Rain or Shine

Presented by the Toledo Federation of Musicians
Proudly sponsored by The Arts Commission

In the event of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors to Virginia’s House.



Photo description: Flyer for “Donna Scott & Friends Salute Juneteenth” featuring a black background with gold lettering, event details for Friday, June 19 from 11am–1pm at The 577 Foundation Outdoor Stage, and a photo of vocalist Donna E. Scott smiling in front of red, gold, and green painted brushstrokes. Logos for The Arts Commission and Five Seven Seven appear at the bottom.

Featured in this morning’s What’s Blooming at 577 eNewsletter, we’re excited to announce a special StoryWalk® Meet the A...
05/20/2026

Featured in this morning’s What’s Blooming at 577 eNewsletter, we’re excited to announce a special StoryWalk® Meet the Author event with author and illustrator Merrill Rainey. 🐞📚

Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an interactive read-aloud of Merrill’s book, "On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug." After the story, each child will create a nature journal, learn how to draw Dr. Doodlebug step-by-step, and explore the grounds to sketch bugs, plants, and other discoveries from nature. The morning will conclude with a short Q&A and an opportunity to have books signed by the author.

As an added bonus, "On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug" will also be featured as our June StoryWalk® book, giving families the opportunity to enjoy the story all month long as they explore the grounds.

Dr. Doodlebug’s Storytime Adventure with Merrill Rainey
📅 Tuesday, June 30
🕙 10am–11:30am
🎟 Registration Fee: $10 per child. Each registration includes a copy of "On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug" and all supplies.
👧 Designed for children ages 4–9 with an adult caregiver. Adults attend free and do not need to register.
📍 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg

Learn more and register at 577foundation.org or call 419-874-4174.

This event is part of our Meet the Author StoryWalk® series funded in part by a grant from the Walleye Wishing Well Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.



Photo Description: Promotional flyer featuring colorful artwork from On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug, a photo of author and illustrator Merrill Rainey, and event details for Tuesday, June 30, at The 577 Foundation.

Fiber Fun at 577! 🧶 There’s something special about working with your hands, one stitch at a time. Whether you’re learni...
05/18/2026

Fiber Fun at 577! 🧶 There’s something special about working with your hands, one stitch at a time. Whether you’re learning to crochet, trying needle felting for the first time, knitting alongside friends, or sewing a simple project, our fiber arts classes offer a welcoming space to slow down, create, and connect.

Join our growing fiber community and discover the joy of turning yarn, wool, and fabric into something beautiful and uniquely your own.

Upcoming classes include:
🪡 Hand-Sewn Hair Scrunchies — May 19
☕ Sip & Stitch: Crochet and Knit Community Circle — May 22 & June 20
🧸 Needle Felting for Beginners: Teddy Bear Charm — May 23
🧶 Crochet II: Granny Square Remix ~ Scrap Yarn! — May 27
🧼 Intro to Loom Knitting: Kitchen & Bath Scrubbies — May 30
🧵 Intro to Crochet — June 2
🧶 Intro to Knitting — June 17
🐻 Needle Felting for Beginners: Painting in Wool — June 20
🌲 Needle Felting II: Black Bears Climbing a Tree — June 23
👨‍👩‍👧 Intro to Crochet for Families — June 23

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to build on your skills, there’s a class for you.

Learn more and register at 577foundation.org/classes-events/fiber-arts



Photo Description: A collage featuring yarn, crochet hooks, knitted and crocheted projects, needle felted teddy bears and artwork, sewing supplies, and people stitching together during fiber arts classes at 577.

Address

577 E Front Street
Perrysburg, OH
43551

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14198744174

Website

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