The Jam Kitchen at the Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen
Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen
"It is a wonderful thing to sweeten the world which is in a jam and needs preserving" --noted children's author and naturalist Thornton W. Burgess to Ida Putnam, founder of the Jam Kitchen
In 1903, Sandwich resident Ida Putnam opened this jam kitchen, which launched a cottage industry that now spans almost a century.
Nothing much has changed here since Ida began making jams, jellies and fruit preserves on the stove or in the heat of the sun. When you visit this 1780 Federal style home built by Captain John Rye, you'll see the old Union Crawford wood stove which simmered Ida's first recipes, her kitchen utensils, a hand-operated slicer and the 1920 Glenwood gas stoves she purchased when her business blossomed. . Like Ida, the small staff of cooks and volunteers who continue preparing her recipes still peel, quarter and mash ingredients the old-fashioned way--by hand. In addition, Green Briar's sun-cooked preserves are distinguished products of the country's oldest commercial solar-cooking operation. Visitors can see the hot-house windows and the clever racks which slide in and out to make delicious toppings such as blueberries with Kirsch and Nectarines with Brandy and Strawberries with Vodka.
Today, mason jars still line the shelves, and the turn-of-the-century Kitchen produces a vast array of mouth watering jams, jellies, relishes, chutney and salsa. Strawberry rhubarb jam, lemon-line marmalade, plum chutney and sweet pepper relish are just a few of the all-natural, homemade products available in the gift shop or by mail order. All sales help support the educational programs of Thornton W. Burgess Society.
Jam Making Workshops: Those who would like to learn traditional jam-making and preserving techniques, can attend the Jam Kitchen's workshops. For more information, call (508) 888-6870.
Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen
Operated by the
Thornton W. Burgess Society
6 Discovery Hill Road; East Sandwich, MA
02537
(508) 888-6870. Admission by donation
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