Don Henley of the Eagles joined state officials in Concord for the opening of a new visitor center at Walden Pond on Tuesday. The 5,680-square-foot facility will offer exhibits for school groups, tourists, and guests who visit Walden Pond each year.

“The Walden Woods Project’s collaboration with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will support the stewardship of Walden Pond, a National Historic Landmark,’’ said Henley, founder and chairman of the Walden Woods Project. “Further, it will keep Thoreau’s legacy alive for future generations. Visiting school groups will interact with an interpretive exhibit encouraging them to identify their own special places; their own ‘Waldens.’ Introductions to Thoreau’s philosophy will invite youth to consider what constitutes good citizenship and leading a purposeful life. For hundreds of thousands of visitors (a third of whom are international) the Visitor Center will offer avenues to reflect on some of the most compelling issues of our time.’’

Henley founded the Walden Woods Project in 1990 to protect the woodlands that surround the Walden Pond State Reservation. The nonprofit organization also created environmental education programs and it maintains an extensive library of Henry David Thoreau’s work.

“With the public’s support, we look forward to helping DCR serve the 500,000 people who come to Walden each year,’’ said Kathi Anderson, executive director of the Walden Woods Project. “Visitors will be offered new interpretive services, educational programming, and an introductory film, with Ken Burns as executive producer. We hope they leave inspired to walk in Thoreau’s footsteps.’’

Pictured at the opening are (from left) state Senator Michael Barrett; Carol Gladstone, commissioner of the state Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance; Henley; state Representative Cory Atkins; and Leo P. Roy, commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.