Stellafane Convention Main Page
Current & Future Conventions
2024 Stellafane Convention
The 2024 Stellafane Convention will be held Thursday thru Sunday August 1-4.
2025 Stellafane Convention
The 2025 Stellafane Convention will be held Thursday thru Sunday July 24-27.
Convention Reminders
Sign up for our Stellafane Announcements mail-list to receive an e-mail reminder when convention registration opens in the spring.
About the Stellafane Convention
The Stellafane Convention is a gathering of amateur telescope makers. The Convention was started in 1926 to give amateur telescope makers an opportunity to gather to show off their creations and teach each other telescope making and mirror-grinding techniques. All telescopes, commercial and homemade, are welcome.
If you have made your own telescope, we strongly encourage you to display it in the telescope fields near the Stellafane Clubhouse. If you wish, you can enter your homemade telescope in the mechanical and/or optical competition. There are also mirror-grinding and telescope-making demonstrations, technical lectures on telescope making and the presentation of awards for telescope design and craftsmanship.
Vendor displays and the retail sale of commercial products are not permitted.
First Convention 1926
Image of a postcard sent to announce the first Stellafane Convention July 3 & 4, 1926 at Stellafane.
Past Conventions & Hartness House Workshops
We have posted reports, photos, and videos from prior conventions for the following years:
Historic Convention Information
- Historic Convention Programs: 1926 to present.
- Historic Convention Photos: 1926 through 1999 (use the links above for 2000 onwards).
- Convention Telescope Competition Winners: Many but not all winners listed.
- Read articles about Early Conventions in our history section.