Launching Local: Burritt on the Mountain

If you’ve been adventuring along with me on this Launching Local journey, you know part of my mission is encouraging my Rocket City friends and neighbors to join me in becoming tourists in our own back yard. (We’ll “act sweet” and let visitors in on our secret too, I suppose.) With this said, if we’re donning our visors, fanny packs and flip flops to get our tourist on, we need to go back to where it all began, Burritt on the Mountain. “Where it all began?”, you say. That’s right! Keep reading.

Elizabeth Jones, Marketing Director at Burritt on the Mountain, agreed to humor me…and you (we’re in this together) with answers to all the burning questions about what makes Burritt “The Jewel on the Mountain” it is. Here’s what she had to share:

What are the 5 tiny tidbits or extraordinary exhibits would you say are do NOT miss experiences if a visitor only has a limited time at Burritt on the Mountain?

• Talk to the Historic Park Interpreters – a quick conversation with a Burritt staff member can give you more in-depth knowledge of the homes, the families who lived in them and what unique items and artifacts they hold.
• The animals in our Burritt’s historic barnyard
• The Rosenwald School and exhibit
• The View! (interviewer’s note: Yes, the view is incredible, and The View is the name of the 3000 square foot overlook you can view that view from. Crystal clear, I’m sure.)
• Dr. Burritt’s Historic Mansion – after all, it is why Burritt on the Mountain exists today

BONUS: The nature trails – Did you know that Burritt has over 4 miles of hiking trails?

What are 4 behind the scenes secrets or little-known facts about Burritt on the Mountain?

• We have a wonderful Folk School that offers classes for adults every month. Come learn a traditional art or skill. (interviewer’s note: I once made a leather luggage tag here and afterwards felt as those I was a genius craftsperson and master of all things. Such fun!)
• Our site is huge – we have 167 acres, most of it is woodlands with great hiking trails. We added lots of new trails in the past year and there are hidden Geocaches on the trails.
• Burritt was Huntsville’s first museum established upon Dr. Burritt’s death in 1955. His will not only donated his property, but stated conditions on how it was to run, including that the Board of Directors was to have more women than men serving on it.
• We have 30 staff members and over 800 volunteers that help us by donating thousands of hours of time to maintain the entire site. 

BONUS: Every Wednesday 5pm – 8pm April through October you can come and enjoy Cocktails at The View rain or shine. No ticket or advanced reservation required, just show up and enjoy

I think lots of folks know Burritt on the Mountain as a wedding and field trip paradise; what are 3 other events or activities you host that Rocket City locals or visitors should consider trying out?

• City Lights and Stars concerts (May – September)
• Burritt Folk School hosts classes year-round, but in November the Round Top Folk Festival brings Traditional Art and Music to Life
• Holiday Traditions at Burritt: Candlelight Christmas (1st weekend of December), Holiday Magic Dinners in the Historic Park or Burritt Mansion (2^nd weekend of December) and Sanders Family Christmas Play, a hilarious play that will keep you laughing through the holidays.

BONUS: Every Wednesday 5pm – 8pm April through October you can come and enjoy Cocktails at The View rain or shine. No ticket or advanced reservation required, just show up and enjoy

Let’s say a guest is visiting for the first time and they aren’t necessarily a history buff (crazy, I know); what would be the 2 things you think would be interesting to even your toughest audience?

• The mansion docent sharing some of Dr. Burritt’s eccentricities, such as his feelings/beliefs about using central heat, taking hot baths or showers, and the perfect food – goat’s milk.
• Almost all our guests enjoy when a historic interpreter/volunteer demonstrates a skill such as basket weaving, open hearth cooking, spinning, needlework, tending the animals, blacksmithing, etc. 

BONUS: Should a guest not care for any historic content, we would direct them to the trails and remind them to check out all our special events, Cocktails at The View, Concerts and Dinners.

What is the number 1 thing Huntsville residents and visitors alike can do to support Burritt on the Mountain now and for years to come?

• We encourage everyone to come for a visit. Enjoy our site and programming and tell others about all we have to offer!  Be it be time, resources or word of mouth Burritt relies on our community and friends to move forward.

Burritt on the Mountain may have been around for the past 60+ years but, I hope you can see like I did, that for a destination focused primarily on the past, they are constantly looking to innovate and expand opportunities for Huntsville fun!