Magic on the Mountain
Dear Friends of Burritt on the Mountain,
As the next Chief Executive Officer of Burritt on the Mountain, I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization that holds such a significant place in Huntsville’s cultural and educational landscape.
For the past 22 years, I have worked with communities in various roles as a communicator, historian, and placemaker. One important insight I’ve gained is that the most successful organizations recognize their role in shaping and enriching the community that supports them. Burritt has exemplified this principle, and I am committed to continuing that tradition under my leadership.
I am incredibly grateful for the confidence that the Board of Directors has placed in me, as well as for Leslie Ecklund’s exceptional leadership, especially during my transition. She has left a legacy of Heartfelt Hospitality at Burritt that I will also embrace.
As I step into this new role, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and commitment to Burritt. Your involvement has been essential in driving our mission to enhance lives and build community forward.
During this giving season, I hope that you will join us in reflecting on the impact that your generosity has had. From educational programs to preservation initiatives, your support not only sustains our efforts but also allows us to expand our reach in the coming year.
Together, we can continue to create meaningful experiences.
I hope to see you soon on the mountain!
Melanie Thornton
CEO,
Burritt
on the Mountain
2024-2025 Board of Directors
Chair: Jennifer Upton
Vice Chair: Cindy Griner
Treasurer: Ahmad Brown
Secretary: Jeffrey Blackwell
Governance: Sarah Smith
Steve Below
George Cannon
Paula Cushman
Brian Daniels
Theresa Durboraw
Richele Jordan-Davis
Camillia King-Stanley
Molly Moore
Melissa Musgrove
Lindsey Perry
Dawn Pumpelly
Mary Kathryn Treusdell
Our mission is to enhance lives and build community through educational, artistic and recreational experiences, while preserving our heritage, land and historic structures.
"Nurture the Flock, Grow the Legacy –Your Year-End Gift Makes a Difference!"
Burritt on the Mountain is excited to welcome new sheep to our barnyard coming this spring! These woolly additions will not only delight visitors but also help us share the rich agricultural history of our region. With your support, these animals will thrive and continue to educate and inspire future generations.
As we look ahead to 2025, we invite you to consider a yearend gift to support our mission of connecting people with history, nature, and community. Thank you for being a part of Burritt’s story!
Consider supporting Burritt today!
Few spots remain for classes in November & December. Join us for fun and learning on our mountaintop campus!
Registration for our Spring Semester classes opens November 1st. Sign up early to secure a spot for your budding artist, scientist or historian.
Spring Semester 2025
January - Quilling and Papercraft
February - The Underground Railroad
March - Domestic and Wild Animals
April - Technology of the 1800s
May - Mining on the Mountain
Middle School Homeschool Classes
Students 6th - 8th Grades
In January, join Burritt as we pioneer our history and culture classes for homeschooled students in 6th-8th grades.
Our pilot semester’s Integrated Geography class goes far beyond map-reading and memorization. Spend time in our Dorothy Davidson Rosenwald classrooms studying history and cultures from right here in Alabama and around the world, our natural environment, and our physical Earth. Then, make history come alive as we step back in time in the Historic Park to practice traditional methods of wayfinding, cooking, fiber artistry, animal husbandry, and more. Students will build their knowledge of the world’s peoples, places, and systems as well as build confidence in their own ability to create in historically significant ways. The pairing of classroom education with hands-on experience makes this study of place and culture unlike any other! Look out for more details, including the class dates, syllabus, cost, and curriculum on our website November 1st.
The course instructor, Avery Patz, is now in her second year teaching US history and English classes to middle and high school students in Huntsville. She is also part of the Education Staff at Burritt and heads up their existing homeschool program. Prior to this, she worked as a farmer and helped facilitate environmental and agricultural education for Chattanooga high school students. A former Huntsville homeschooler herself, she plans to be a learner all her life and is excited to discover new knowledge alongside your students this spring!
January 25, 2025 10:00am - 4:00pm
Burritt will once again host a birding day on the mountain. Come and learn about falconry, enjoy a bird watching hike, and take part in a special Bird Encounter Nature Program with Tommy Howell and his bird menagerie.
This event is included in general admission and is free for Burritt members. No reservations needed.
CONGRATULATIONS
September 2024: Linda Spalla
October 2024: Jennie Maestri
The holidays are a great time to give back!
Join us at Burritt and volunteer for one of our many holiday events!
Volunteer Opportunities
Friday, November 1st
Round Top Folk Festival Field Trip
Saturday & Sunday, November 2nd & 3rd
Round Top Folk Festival
December 6th & 7th
Candlelight Christmas
December 10th - 15th
Holiday Magic Dinners
December 18th - 22nd
Sanders Family Christmas Play
Volunteers who give 100+ hours during the calendar year are eligible for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Interested in Volunteering?
Scan QR Code above or contact Laura Wren, 256.705.3135 or email, laura.wren@huntsvilleal.gov.
UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
(ONLINE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)
November 6th & 7th
Ceramics: Holiday Ornaments
Textile Arts: Felted Gnomes
November 12th
Weekday Series: Holiday Hangers
Weekday Series: Stained Glass Snowflake
November 15th
Folk Traditions: Whimsical Wreath Class
Visual Arts: Holiday Gift Bag Design
November 16th
Blacksmithing: Holiday Hangers
Glass: Stained Glass Snowflake
Fiber Arts: Crochet Snowflake
Fiber Arts: Quilted Stockings
Ceramics: Test Drive the Wheel
Burritt Folk School gift certificates are available in Josie’s Gift Shop or by emailing Jana.Parris@huntsvilleal.gov.
Saturday, November 2nd 10am – 4pm
Crafts & skills Demonstrations | artisan market | Craft beer, wine & hot ChoColate | traDitional musiC | Gourmet snaCks & fooDtruCk
musiC on balCh porCh 10:30-11:30am – 2 hammers anD a piCk
12:30-1:30pm – melea horton 2:30-3:30pm – mike ball
musiC on smith-williams porCh 11:30-12:30pm – lawana bearD 1:30-2:30pm – the musGrove session
Sunday, November 3rd 12pm – 4pm
Crafts & skills Demonstrations | artisan market
Craft beer, wine & hot ChoColate | traDitional musiC
musiC on balCh porCh
12:30pm-1:30pm – the sanDy river ramblers
musiC on smith-williams porCh 1:30-2:30pm – brooks anD overDone
musiC at the benDiCkson family pavilion 2:00pm – saCreD harp sinGers
2024 RounD Top Folk Festival Sponsors: Kitty Davenport, EDwarD Jones
Alabama Tourism Department Grant LeGislators: Tom Butler, Sam Givhan, Arthur Orr, James Lomax, Rex ReynolDs & Phillip RiGsby BlaCkwell Law Firm
The Orion Amphitheater ValleyMLS.Com
Upton ADvisory ServiCes, LLC
Bubba’s Silver Spoon CaterinG
November
Holiday
Magic Gourmet Dinners at Burritt
produced by Southern Rogue Theatre Company, returns to The Old Country Church this December. Performances: December 18th -21st at 7:00pm December 21st & 22nd at 2:30pm
Candlelight Christmas An
event for young and old to enjoy!
December 6th & 7th from 5pm to 9pm
Experience the magic of traditional Christmas at Burritt on the Mountain, where the sights, sounds, and smells of the season transport you back to the way Christmas used to be.
Join us for a nostalgic celebration as the mountain comes alive with twinkling lights and festive cheer. Stroll through the park and enjoy the joyful melodies of holiday music, inviting you to immerse yourself in the warmth of Christmas past. Engage in hands-on activities, crafting unique holiday decorations to take home - string cranberries and popcorn, create fragrant fruit pomanders, and design paper punch ornaments. Delight in listening to enchanting Christmas stories, making handmade cards, and decorating cookies to kick off your holiday season. Don’t miss the chance to savor roasted chestnuts and figgy pudding - delicious treats that will surely evoke the spirit of yesteryear.
Photo Opp and Visit with Kris Kringle in Baron Bluff from 5:00pm-8:00pm Clicks Foto will be taking pictures, but feel free to take your own.
Music & Activities in the Church, Mansion and Historic Park 5:00pm-9:00pm
A variety of complimentary refreshments, as well as hot toddies and snacks available for purchase in Baron Bluff 5:00pm-9:00pm
Ticket Information:
Members: $55 per carload (up to six people)
General Public: $70 per carload (up to six people)
All tickets purchased after November 26th are $75 per carload.
Limited tickets sold for each night, so get your tickets early! Theatre December.
For more Membership information and purchase options, scan code or call Josie’s Gift Shop at 256-536-2882.
Give the Gift of Membership!
Give a Gift and receive 2 free passes to Burritt as a Thank You!
Museum Membership Benefits
•Free Admission to Burritt Mansion, Historic Park, Barnyard Animals and Nature Trails
•Major Event Early Ticket Purchase
•Josie’s Gift Shop 10% Discount
•City Lights & Stars Concert Discount
•Discounted or Free Programs
•Exclusive Invitations
•Education Program Discount
•Spring, Summer, Fall Camp Discount
•Magic on the Mountain Newsletters
•Reciprocal Memberships to 100+ Museums
Christmas Sponsors:
Wes & Frances Clayton
Jodie & Dennis Clements
Sharlene & Phil Coker
Tennessee Valley Authority Grant Legislators: Tom Butler, Rex Reynolds, Andy Whitt & Ritchie Whorton
Jim Norton, Architect
Teresa O’Malley
University Kia
Upton Advisory Services, LLC
3101 Burritt Drive | Huntsville, AL 35801
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RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED
Dates to Remember:
Winter Hours Begin November 1st: Tuesday – Saturday 10-4; Sunday 12-4
November:
2 – Round Top Folk Festival 10am-4pm
3 – Round Top Folk Festival 12-4pm
4 – Sacred Harp Singing – 6:30pm
7 – Folk School Workshops – RR
9 – Makers on the Mountain – 10am-2pm (Candle Making)
10 – Huntsville Forge Meeting – 1pm
11 – Veteran’s Day - Museum and Offices Closed
12 – Folk School Workshops – RR
12 – North Alabama Wood Crafters – 6:30pm
13 – Home School Happenings – 9:30am & 12pm - RR
14 – Home School Happenings – 9:30am & 12 pm - RR
15-17 – Folk School Workshops – RR
15-16 – Josie’s Holiday Open House - 10am-4pm
28 – Happy Thanksgiving! – Museum and Offices Closed
29 – Museum Open, Offices Closed
30 – Shop the Mountain Josie’s Gift Shop (Small Business Saturday)
December:
6-7 – Candlelight Christmas 5-9pm – ATO
8 - Huntsville Forge Meeting – 1pm
10-15 – Holiday Magic Dinners – RR
10 – Home School Happenings – 9:30am & 12pm - RR
11 – Home School Happenings – 9:30am & 12pm - RR
12 – Home School Happenings – 9:30am & 12pm - RR
15-17 – Folk School Workshops – RR
18-22 – Sanders Family Christmas play – ATO
20-21 – Josie’s Open House - 10am-4pm
24 – Christmas Eve – Museum and Offices closed
25 – Merry Christmas! – Museum and Offices closed
January:
1 – Happy New Year! – Museum and Offices closed
25 – Birding at Burritt
AL
RR - Reservations Required ATO - Advanced Tickets Only
Join us for the final Historic Park demonstration series of the year!
Catch our talented Historic Park staff members and volunteers in the act. Learn how things were done and maybe even lend a hand. Have questions? Our interpreters are happy to share information and answer questions about what they are doing along the way. Although the skills demonstrated are from the past, many of them have modern applications.
November 9 – Candle Making and Dipping
Burritt staff members will demonstrate candle dipping. If time allows, we will do some candle pours with Burritt molds.
