Our Mission
We engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection and responsibility to the natural world.
Our Vision
All people are inspired to explore the wonder, science, and beauty of the natural world and to protect the regional and global ecology.
Our History
The Nature Museum at Grafton is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by two avid natural history collectors and Grafton residents Sue Hadden and Don Clark. In July of 1989, we opened our doors to the public in the Grafton Town Hall for an annual rent of $1. Eventually, we outgrew the Town Hall, purchased the Grange building, and moved into our new space in 1996. After a successful capital campaign, the building was completely renovated and reopened to the public in 1999.
Our collections focus on the natural history of northern New England, with exhibits on local flora, fauna, and geology. However, we offer far more than just the museum experience. We run seasonal day camps, preschool programs, all-ages community events, speakers, and workshops, and collaborate closely with regional schools to provide in-school and afterschool nature-based education.
The Museum sits on 4 acres which includes the Chapman Meadow, The Magic Forest Playscape, a native pollinator garden, and a small frog pond. On the other side of the stone wall of the playscape is the Grafton Village Park, a 50-acre woodland space with well-marked trails. Nearby is the Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center, which include even more trails, seasonal cross-country skiing, and more.
We are the home of the annual Fairy House Festival – a late September weekend event that celebrates the natural world through the magic of the fairy world. This event features the “Fairy House Trail,” which is a showcase of fairy-sized houses and structures built by creative volunteers and tucked along a woodland trail. Some of these structures remain all year, and eventually decompose back to the landscape.
During the summer months, The Nature Museum also staffs the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder Visitor Center. The Fish Ladder is free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of Great River Hydro, owner of the fish ladder and the hydroelectric facility. The Nature Museum also provides free Summer Unplugged programming at local libraries and at the Fish Ladder during the summer months.
Since its inception, the Museum has provided educational opportunities for all ages. The Museum uses its natural history collections as well as the rich natural habitats of the region to engage people in learning about our environment.