Thornton W. Burgess Society

About Our Organization

I am the Public Relations Coordinator for the Thornton W. Burgess Society and its Green Briar Nature Center.

Our Mission

The mission of the Thornton W. Burgess Society is “to inspire reverence for wildlife and concern for the natural environment” in the tradition of conservationist and children’s author, Thornton W. Burgess, a native of Sandwich, MA.

Our History

The Thornton W. Burgess Society is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1976 to carry on the pioneering conservation work of author/naturalist Thornton Burgess [1874-1965]. Burgess, who was born and grew up in Sandwich, went on to achieve national and international recognition for his children’s stories of “Peter Rabbit” and friends that teach lessons of conservation and love of wildlife. The Burgess Society operates two facilities: the Thornton W. Burgess Museum in Sandwich Village and the Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen in East Sandwich. It also manages the 133 acre East Sandwich Game Farm under a lease agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Our Services and Programs

On exhibit in the Burgess Museum are artifacts, art, books and other personal and professional memorabilia which relate to Thornton W. Burgess. On the grounds is a lovely tussy mussy herb garden. The museum gift shop offers many unique items in addition to Burgess books. Live Animal Story Times are offered during the summer months. At the Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen natural history programs and jam making workshops are offered year-round for children, families and adults. Visitors enjoy the small live animal exhibits, changing art exhibits, a natural history library and the award-winning Wildflower Garden. Adjacent to the nature center property is the Briar Patch Conservation Area with walking trails open to the public.

Fees Charged

Admission is by donation.

Hours/Schedule

Green Briar Hours: April-October, Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 1-4pm. January-March, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm

Burgess Museum: Seasonal May-October, Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm

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