In 1955 Dr. Burritt willed his mansion and surrounding acres of Round-Top Mountain to the city of Huntsville, making it Huntsville's first museum. Since that time, volunteers and community activists have brought original homes from the area to Burritt to be restored and utilized as an educational facility. Our interpreters are always busy demonstrating activities as one would see on a 19th century farm. Blacksmithing, spinning, and cooking over an open hearth are just some of the skills employed in our historic park. In the Burritt Barnyard visitors can get up close and personal with an animal that would have been used for work, wool, or even food for the farmers and their families.

Situated on a magnificent 167-acre site high above the city of Huntsville, Alabama, Burritt on the Mountain encourages visitors to explore the natural beauty of Round Top Mountain, learn about it's ecology, revisit the lives of farmers whose lives revolved around nature, and tour the Burritt Mansion, the home of Dr. William Burritt, whose estate created the Museum that bears his name.

Enter the 1936 Mansion of Dr. William Henry Burritt, physician and inventor. Today, the mansion gives visitors a glimpse of the fascinating life of Dr. Burritt, as well as exhibits interpreting the history of the people and environment of the Southern Cumberland region of Alabama and Tennessee. See two rooms of original furnishings as well as exhibition galleries of regional and natural history, prehistoric Indian artifacts, rocks and minerals, 19th century furnishings and personal artifacts.

Step back into the lives of the 19th century southern farmers as you visit historic log structures assembled to reflect rural life. Burritt's Historic Park interprets the past by showcasing aspects of farm life from the 19th century. Living history interpreters, dressed in period clothing, recreate the diversity of farm life allowing you to become involved through lively conversation, demonstration, and hands-on activities.

Stroll through the park and enjoy the sights and sounds of the barnyard. Listen carefully and you may hear the fiddler on the front porch. Meticulously restored historic buildings, authentic 19th Century crops, and living history interpreters demonstrating common lifeways of the past will add to your educational visit. Please ask lots of questions. Our interpreters are always pleased to share their knowledge with you.

Nature Trails wind through the woods and around the mountain, taking hikers past historic coal mines and limestone rock formations.

During the spring enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers that blanket the forest floor and in the fall enjoy the colorful landscape along the Park’s award winning Accessible Nature Trail. From the Rock Bluff Trail that encircles Round Top Mountain, take a side hike on one of the Discovery Trails to the Big Cove Turnpike Trail or the Trough Springs Trail.

The section of trail which is accessible to users with disabilities is a round trip distance of about 3/4 of a mile and takes about an hour to complete. There are several rest areas along the way. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located in the Welcome Center near the Museum's main parking area.