Tuesday Talk: Branson Centennial Museum welcomes Alison Bleich, May 20

The story begins in 1959 with the construction of Table Rock Dam and the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, making Lake Taneycomo the perfect environment for non-native cold-water trout. The Dam feeds the hatchery system about 14 million gallons of water daily to sustain the one million trout raised annually.

In 1980, the original Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center building opened and since then, more than eight million people have walked through its doors. After a recent renovation and expansion, the new $7 million facility opened in December 2024, four months ahead of schedule.

“Missouri has a great conservation story to tell, so it makes sense to tell it at one of Missouri’s top visitor destinations,” said Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center Manager Alison Bleich.

“Guests at this Tuesday Talk on May 20 at noon, will hear about the construction process and preparation for opening, along with viewing the new hatchery video,” explained Bleich.

The new Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center is more than double the size of the previous building at the same site. It features a 7,500-gallon indoor aquarium, new exhibits, a larger lobby than the previous facility, larger restrooms and more office space for staff.

The hatchery’s scenic location, coupled with the free conservation-oriented tours and programs, have made the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center a must-see destination for travelers from far and near. In summer – the center’s busiest time – the building hosts 800 to 1,000 people per day.

The Tuesday Talk series is presented free-of-charge by the Branson Centennial Museum and White River Valley Historical Society. Various topics of local and historical interest are presented by knowledgeable speakers, usually on the third Tuesday of the month at 12 p.m. The Museum is in historic Downtown Branson at 120 South Commercial Street, former home of Reish Shoes & Boots.

For more information on this presentation and future events at the Branson Centennial Museum, go to www.wrvhs.org or call 417-239-1912.