Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen

At the Green Briar Nature Center, you will find a quiet corner of Cape Cod – a sanctuary of peace and beauty in all seasons. Located on the shores of Smiling Pool and adjacent to the famous Briar Patch of Thornton Burgess’s stories, Green Briar offers interpreted nature trails and a spectacular wild flower garden.

Natural history programs for children and adults are offered year-round and include classes, field trips, guided walks, and workshops on the natural sciences. We also have our very popular nature-related birthday parties. Outreach programs to area schools and other institutions are also an important part of Green Briar’s services to the community. Members of the education staff visit schools, nursing homes and clubs offering slide presentations, lectures and classes.

Green Briar is also the home of the Green Briar Jam Kitchen. Ever since Ida Putnam began the Jam Kitchen in 1903, visitors have come to Green Briar to savor the aromas of fresh fruits cooking on the stove or in the heat of the sun. Today the Jam Kitchen is a “living museum” where visitors may view the cooking process first-hand. The kitchen still operates using Ida’s recipes and preparing the jams, jellies, relishes and pickles the “old fashioned way” in the turn-of-the-century kitchen. Green Briar’s sun-cooked preserves are cooked slowly and gently in the oldest commercial solar-cooking operation in the country. They make mouth-watering toppings for ice cream or desserts.