The Thornton W. Burgess Society is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1976 to carry on the pioneering conservation work of author/naturalist Thornton W. Burgess (1874 - 1965). Mr. Burgess, who was born and grew up in Sandwich, MA., went on to achieve national and international recognition for his children’s stories that teach lessons of conservation and love of wildlife.

Over 170 books and 15,000 stories by Burgess chronicle the tales of Peter Rabbit and his animal friends, including Jimmy Skunk, Grandfather Frog, Johnny Chuck, Sammy Jay, Reddy Fox, Hooty Owl and many others. Through these engaging stories, generations of young people have learned about the natural world and have developed an understanding of the importance of conservation of our natural resources.

The Thornton W. Burgess Society operates the Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen at 6 Discovery Hill Road (off Rte. 6A) in East Sandwich, and the East Sandwich Game Farm. The former Thornton W. Burgess Museum in Sandwich Village is now permanently closed to the public.