Cost:

For museum admission, we ask for a donation of $5 per individual, or $15 for a family.  If you don’t have the means to donate, we still welcome you to visit and enjoy the museum.  The Chapman Meadow and the Magic Forest Playscape are freely available.  Your support ensures access to these resources, so thank you for your generosity!  

Parking:

Is available immediately across the street from The Nature Museum in the Windham Foundation parking lot.  Vehicles may drop-off visitors in the driveway adjacent to the Museum, but cannot stay there for the duration of the visit.  

Open to the public since 1989, The Nature Museum focuses on the region’s plants, animals, and geology.

• Explore native plants and ecosystems with our gardens, wetland, and meadow trails.

• Play at the Magic Forest Playscape with hopping logs, a naturalist cabin, bear den, shelter-building supplies, sand pit, and more.

• Learn about wildlife and ecology inside the Museum with hand-painted diorammas, hands-on activities, impressive taxidermy, and cool rocks.

About Grafton . . . .

Nestled in the mountains of southern Vermont, Grafton is one of New England’s prettiest villages. Many of its beautiful and historic buildings have been restored by its residents and by the Windham Foundation, so the town today looks much as it did years ago. 

Next door to our location, you can explore the trails in the Grafton Village Park and the Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center.  Just down the road, you’ll find the Windham Foundation’s upcoming Turner Hill Interpretive Center, as well as the Turner Hill Wildlife Management Area.  Downtown Grafton is just a short walk from the museum, including a lovely market for lunch and the Grafton Inn for overnight guests.

Visit the town of Grafton's website to find out about the many local options for lodging, dining, shopping, events, and activities. If you're planning a trip around the state, check out VermontVacation.com, the State of Vermont's tourism site.

Accessibility:

We have a fully accessible entrance to the north side of our building (the driveway side), which gives access to our entire first floor.  There is also a bathroom that is fully accessible on our first floor, and includes a baby changing station.  Our second floor exhibits are up a wide stairway with handrails.  Our pollinator gardens during the warm season can be found behind the building on a relatively gentle, grassy slope.

The Magic Forest Playscape is up a steeper, grassy incline at the top of the Chapman Meadow, and the playscape itself has narrower, wood chip pathways, hopping logs, and balancing features.

Pet Policy: 

Chapman Meadow, Playscape, and Grounds: Leashed dogs and pets are welcome outside!  Please keep in mind: Owners are responsible for picking up waste and disposing it off-site (Leave No Trace) Pets must be accompanied at all times.  Please note, in Vermont, it is illegal to endanger a pet by leaving them unattended in a vehicle!   Owners are responsible for the behavior of their pets.  Disruptive visitors may be asked to leave. Off-leash pets may endanger local wildlife and sensitive habitats.  Please be considerate.  

Special Events

Please be sure to check out our event calendar for the latest happenings at the museum. We host programs for both adults and children not only at the museum, but elsewhere throughout the Southern Vermont community. To stay in the know, sign up for our newsletter!