How a Small Vermont Club Helped Shape Modern Astronomy

Long before the Space Race, before NASA put astronauts on the Moon, and before today’s giant observatories explored distant galaxies, a group of amateur telescope makers gathered on a hill overlooking Springfield, Vermont.
They weren’t professional scientists. They were machinists, engineers, teachers, craftsmen, and dreamers who believed anyone could build a telescope and explore the universe.

More than 100 years later, their remarkable story is coming to the big screen.

Stellafane and Beyond, a new feature documentary from Moosey Productions, tells the story of how the Springfield Telescope Makers helped launch a worldwide amateur telescope-making movement that continues to inspire generations of astronomers, engineers, and innovators.

Stellafane Documentary

Watch the Official Trailers

Before you visit the premiere, take a look at the two official trailers for Stellafane and Beyond. They offer a glimpse into the remarkable people, breathtaking astronomy, and century of craftsmanship that have made Stellafane one of Springfield’s greatest legacies.

Official Trailer #1

Official Trailer #2

Springfield's Global Legacy

For many visitors, Stellafane is known as the annual convention that attracts telescope makers and astronomy enthusiasts from around the world. But its influence extends far beyond Breezy Hill.

The documentary explores how a local community of amateur telescope makers inspired advances in optical craftsmanship that reached into professional astronomy, space exploration, and scientific research. It demonstrates how curiosity, craftsmanship, and a willingness to share knowledge created a legacy that continues to influence generations of innovators.
It’s another reminder that some of Springfield’s greatest contributions have come from ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

More Than a Documentary

Directed by Tara Roberts Zabriskie of Moosey Productions, Stellafane and Beyond is much more than a history lesson.

The film combines archival footage, interviews, breathtaking astronomy, and stories from generations of telescope makers to show how one small Vermont community became the birthplace of a movement that forever changed amateur astronomy.

Its tagline says it best:

"A story of hands, heritage, and the search for the stars."

Whether you’re fascinated by science, history, engineering, or simply love stories about passionate communities preserving important traditions, the documentary offers something for everyone.

World Premiere Comes to Springfield

The film will make its world premiere through a partnership between the Springfield Telescope Makers and Moosey Productions. The event gives visitors a chance to experience the film while celebrating one of Vermont’s most unique scientific and cultural traditions.

Purchase Tickets

Telescope Maker Ticket – $150

  • Preferred seating
  • Meet and greet with the director and stars
  • Gift bag

Astronomer Ticket – $100

  • General admission
  • Gift bag

Why This Film Matters

At Springfield802, we believe the best stories about our community aren’t just about events. They’re about the people whose ideas continue to shape the future.

Stellafane embodies everything that makes Springfield unique. It combines craftsmanship with innovation, education with curiosity, and local tradition with global impact.

For more than a century, people have traveled to Springfield to learn how to build telescopes, share ideas, and inspire one another. Today, that same spirit continues through the annual convention, the Springfield Telescope Makers, and now this feature-length documentary.

As Springfield continues to build its future around creativity, innovation, and opportunity, Stellafane and Beyond reminds us that those values have always been part of our story.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re attending the premiere or planning a future trip to Springfield, Stellafane is one of the community’s signature attractions and a reminder that world-changing ideas often begin in small places.

Learn more about the film, purchase tickets, and explore the organizations behind this incredible story through the Springfield Telescope Makers and Moosey Productions.

56 Main Street, Springfield, VT 05156  (802) 952 0428

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