2025 July-August no bleed by burrittonthemountain

Magic on the Mountain

Dear Friends,

I’ve always been drawn to the power of history—not just the big events, but the everyday stories that connect us to each other and to the places we live. Burritt is one of those rare places where you can feel that connection the moment you step on the mountain. It’s where history meets nature, community, and creativity. And I knew I wanted to be part of that.

When I stepped into this role, I saw incredible potential. Burritt already had strong roots, but there were so many opportunities to grow through partnerships, through programming, through creating memorable experiences.

I chose to lead Burritt because I believe in what it stands for. I believe in building something meaningful with a team that cares deeply about this community and is proud of the work we do.

This summer, I hope you’ll come experience that for yourself. We’re just seven minutes from downtown Huntsville—and yes, it really is about eight degrees cooler up here. Bring a friend, take a walk, explore something new. Burritt is here for you.

We’re also making progress on an important preservation project. Our Mansion Window Campaign has raised more than $16,500, just over 23% of our $70,000 goal. Every gift helps us protect this special place for future generations.

Thank you for being part of the Burritt story— and for helping us build something that lasts.

Warmly,

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

Angela and Fred Holland portraying Dr. Burritt and second wife Pearl Budd, Melanie Thornton, CEO

Our History

The metal or color platinum symbolizes a 70th anniversary. To “Go Platinum” means to achieve ultimate success. One of the strongest metals, platinum is rare, difficult to find, and represents strength, endurance, and high status. It is traditionally associated with quality and enduring value. Platinum was historically challenging to craft, so it became a material reserved for the elite. In fact, King Louis XVI declared it the only metal fit for a king.

Platinum is known for its durability, resilience, and rarity. Sound familiar? Ironically, platinum is rare and hard to find…yet after 70 years, we still describe Burritt on the Mountain in much the same way. Similar to this rare mineral, Burritt is “hard to find,” resilient, durable, and enduring.

On April 17, 1955, Dr. William Henry Burritt passed away, leaving no heirs. He bequeathed his 167-acre mountaintop property and unique home to the City of Huntsville. For 70 years, this property has welcomed visitors from all over the world—young and old—and has become a beloved destination for many.

The property has evolved significantly since Dr. Burritt’s time. His home remains, but there have been many additions over the years. Today, the historic park educates visitors about how our ancestors lived off the land during the 1800s. The park also includes a barnyard that emphasizes the importance of farm animals. A recent addition is the Rosenwald School, which showcases the collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald to educate rural Black American children in the early 1900s. We invite brides and all celebrants to host their events here, artisans to showcase their skills at festivals and in the Burritt Folk School; and of course, we can’t forget the favorite events like City Lights & Stars Concerts and Cocktails at The View. All these incredible opportunities are connected to Dr. Burritt’s wish for his property to be open for the public to enjoy.

Be sure to visit the Burritt Mansion this summer to enjoy a pictorial retrospective documenting how Burritt has grown over the past 70 years, becoming a rare and precious part of Huntsville’s history.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH

EXPLORE NATURE

Reptile Day

Saturday, July 12th | 10am-4pm

Burritt on the Mountain is excited to partner with The North Alabama Zoological Society (NALZS) and Beth Girard a retired natural resource educator and Tennessee Naturalist Program Volunteer.

Schedule of Events:

• Create reptile crafts in the Historic Park 9am-4pm

• NALZS Reptile Ambassadors Onsite 10am-Noon

• NALZS Turtle and Snake show 10:30 and 11:30 in the Church

• Beth Girard and her reptile friends 2-3:30pm in the Church

• Meet Sal and Quazi Burritt's snake ambassador’s 10am-10:45am and 3:15-4pm in the Bendickson Family Pavilion

• Become a Backpack Explorer 9am-5pm

• Rocket City Ice Cream 10:00am-4:00pm

Kids can create reptile crafts to take home, and Rocket City Ice Cream will be onsite too. Bring a picnic and enjoy eating lunch on the mountain. You can also explore the park and check out our Backpack Explorers. It will be a perfect day of learning and family fun!

Seating for all presentations is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Regular Burritt admission rates apply. FREE to Burritt members.

OPEN through Labor Day

backpack an adventure in every bag

Embark on an exciting family adventure! This handson experience, designed for children aged 4 to 12, offers a captivating scavenger hunt through Burritt. Explore our Nature Trails, the Historic Park, the Barnyard, and Dr. Burritt's mansion.

• 5 UniqUe AdventUres each adventure provides a fresh and engaging handson experience

• speciAl soUvenir

- take home a scavenger hunt souvenir at the end of your adventure

• explore At yoUr own pAce enjoy a fun-filled family experience that fits your schedule

With five distinct themes to choose from, there's always something new to discover. We invite you to return, play, and explore again and again!

presented by:

Volunteers of the Month

May 2025: Amy Spearman

June 2025: Wanda Hall

Thank You to all our Burritt Volunteers! “Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant epochs in the biography of souls.” ~David Thomas

Come Join the FUN!

Cocktails at the The View

Every Wednesday, July – October City Lights & Stars Concerts

Friday Concerts, July – September

Summer Camp Counselors

Weekdays, July

EXPLORE! - Reptile Day – July 12th

Haunted Mansion Dinners

October 10th, 17th, 24th & 28th

Nature Rangers Fall Camp – October 6th - 10th

Fall on the Farm – October 18th

Special thanks to Leidos and Huntsville

Handsfree Workcamp volunteers for sharing your time and helping us keep Burritt beautiful!

Interested in Volunteering?

Be the first to know about volunteer opportunities for concerts, family festivals, camps, special events, holiday events, and more. Scan the QR Code above or contact Laura Wren, Laura.Wren@huntsvilleal.gov.

PRE-K

Tuesdays, August 26 – September 30

9:30-11am

Registration opens July 1st

This fall, imagination takes center stage with Pre-k Pioneers, Burritt on the Mountain’s brand-new early education series designed for one adult and one or more children who are four years old by August 26 and who will not be attending kindergarten this year.

Each week, children will explore the big idea of community—what it is, who helps build it, and how they can be helpers too. The 90-minute lessons are thoughtfully designed to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration while introducing concepts in history, engineering, environmental awareness, and social development. We want every participant to be actively involved, feel included, and have a meaningful hands-on experience each week. All activities align with Alabama State Standards and are developmentally appropriate for preschool-aged children. Students will also take home a craft or art project each week as a reflection of their learning and creativity.

Over the course of six weeks, we’ll meet modern and historic community helpers, become pioneers heading west to establish new communities, explore how rivers shaped settlements through boat-building experiments and handson investigations of sinking and floating, visit the barnyard to discover changes in farm life in rural communities, imagine future inventions, and finish with a Bluey-themed scavenger hunt and puppet theater focused on friendship, kindness, and treating others with respect.

This program encourages creativity, collaboration, and curiosity—so dress for mess and get ready to explore alongside other adventurous pre-k students!

This class is exclusively for the enrolled child/children (ages4-5, not yet attending kindergarten) and their accompanying adult. Cooperation is appreciated in making separate arrangements for siblings.

Take advantage of our early-bird discount by purchasing all 6 weeks at a reduced price between July 1st and 31st. Individual classes will be available starting August 1st, if space remains.

Get ready for another new semester of fun and engaging classes! Each one of our classes is historically contextualized and hands-on. Classes spend time outside and/or in our Historic Park every month.

Explore life in our historic homes or experience the wonder of nature on our forest trails each month. Whether your student loves experiencing history, expressing themselves in art, or discovering more about the science around us, you can find an enriching opportunity at our mountaintop campus.

September | Try the Trades

October | Hiking

Middle School: US History I

Who: Homeschooled students in 6th-8th grades

What: Two-semester US History I course

Where: Dorothy Davidson Rosenwald Schoolhouse

When: Tuesdays 1:00-3:30 pm

November | Native Americans of Alabama

December | Historic Holiday Wreaths & Crafts

This fall, students in grades 6th - 8th can join us every Tuesday. Students will build their understanding of history as a larger story of inseparable, interrelated, culturally rooted events rather than a series of isolated incidents, as well as confidence in their own ability to create in historically significant ways. This pairing of classroom education with hands-on experience makes this study of history unlike any other!