A Volunteer-Run Observatory Open to All
The Martz-Kohl Observatory is the home of the Marshal Martz Memorial Astronomical Association, Inc. — a non-profit organization of amateur astronomers dedicated to observational astronomy, hands-on education, and citizen science. From our setting in the countryside of Frewsburg, New York, we open our domes to the public nearly every week of the year, free of charge, so that anyone curious about the universe can look up and see it for themselves.
Whether you’re a lifelong stargazer, a family looking for something different to do on a Wednesday night, or a student who just discovered a love of space, there’s a place for you here.
🌟 New here? See what happens on a Wednesday night, or plan your visit — public nights are free. 🌟
🔭 What We Do
Open the sky to the public. Every Wednesday evening, our volunteers host Open Observatory Night — no reservation, no admission fee. Look through our large-aperture telescopes, ask questions, and learn the sky from people who love sharing it.
Bring in world-class speakers. On the third Wednesday of most months, our lecture series features scientists and researchers from NASA, universities, and observatories across the country — always free, and offered both in person and online. Our growing video library now holds more than 50 past presentations.
Watch the lecture series video library →
Educate the next generation. Through our annual Space STEM Camp, the Library Telescope Loan Program, and visits from schools, scout troops, and civic groups, we work year-round to spark scientific curiosity across our region.
Explore our education programs →
Contribute to real science. Our members take part in citizen-science projects and original observation — proof that dedicated amateurs still make meaningful contributions to astronomy.
🏛️ Our Home and Our Instruments
The observatory houses several telescopes, anchored by the Martz 24-inch reflector — recently upgraded with a new Kepler KL4040FI camera that captures stunning deep-sky images in a fraction of the time required by our previous equipment. From live observatory control-room and all-sky camera feeds to our hands-on public nights, our facility is built to bring the universe into sharper focus for the whole community.
See our telescopes →
🧑🤝🧑 The People Behind the Observatory
The Martz-Kohl Observatory is run entirely by volunteers — a board of officers and a membership of amateur astronomers who give their time to keep the domes open, the telescopes running, and the lectures coming. Led by President Tom Traub, a NASA Eclipse Ambassador and co-discoverer of exoplanet Wolf 327b, our members range from seasoned astrophotographers to newcomers who simply love the night sky.
📍 Visit Us
We’d love to see you. Public nights are open to everyone — come to the door beside the dome for entry, and we’ll be happy to show you what to see and how to see it. Admission is always free; suggested donations of $2 for students and $5 for adults are gratefully appreciated and go directly toward keeping this a free community resource.
📍 176 Robbin Hill Rd, Frewsburg, NY 14738
🔭 Open Observatory: every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Get directions →
Reserve a family visit →
Schedule a group visit →
Contact us →
🎬 Our Story
The Martz-Kohl Observatory has grown from a local dream into one of the region’s premier public astronomy destinations. Watch our story unfold in this slide show followed by an aerial flyover.