GRAFTON, Vt. – The Nature Museum at Grafton’s recently cultivated native gardens are sending out new roots, marking a significant expansion of their educational outdoor spaces. Created through the dedication of volunteer planters, the skilled earthwork of TMG Enterprises, and the vision of Terrigenous Landscape Architecture and Will Danforth, the gardens feature a series of outdoor “rooms” designed for gathering, reflection, and connection with the natural world.
The gardens will be on full display at the annual Fairy House Festival, taking place Sept. 26 and 27. Nearly 2,000 visitors from across New England travel to Grafton each year to explore the enchanted Fairy Trail and discover a magical village of fairy houses created by local classrooms, families, organizations, and businesses.
Festival activities include a new nature quest scavenger hunt, fairy house building, magic tricks, wand making, food vendors, local merchants, and more. Featured performers include The Longshanks stilt walkers and storytellers, and traveling musician Dan Frank and his hurdy-gurdy.
The festival is the museum’s primary annual fundraiser, with all proceeds supporting its year-round work connecting people with the natural world. This work includes expanding opportunities for visitors to explore the outdoors, including at the museum’s Magic Forest Natural Playscape, the restored wetlands and meadows, as well as workshops, school programs, and camps in the Danforth Pavilion. Future plans include new interpretive signage along the trails and self-guided activities for families.
Tickets for the festival are available at www.nature-museum.org, and festivalgoers are encouraged to buy tickets in advance to guarantee their spot and receive a discount. Tickets will be available at the gate if there is space and parking available. Volunteer and fairy house builder sign-ups are still available. Student volunteers can earn community service hours while supporting a local nonprofit.