A clear place to begin
Choose a workbook to begin independently, or shape a guided experience around an individual, family, group, organization, or community.
The workbooks provide structure. The experiences create a setting in which questions, connections, and meaning can emerge.
For someone who knows that a life contains meaningful stories but does not know where to begin. This guided seven-step journey helps you notice important experiences, relationships, places, objects, values, and turning points—without requiring you to write a traditional memoir.
One workbook, plus shipping. Orders of five or more: $49.99 each, plus shipping.
For individuals and families who want better questions—not rehearsed answers. The carefully developed prompts help open genuine conversations and recover experiences, choices, values, and family knowledge that might otherwise remain untold.
One workbook, plus shipping. Orders of five or more: $49.99 each, plus shipping.
For someone concerned that photographs, letters, documents, recordings, objects, and family knowledge may become scattered or lost. The kit helps identify what is vulnerable, establish priorities, and protect what cannot be replaced before attempting to organize everything.
One workbook, plus shipping. Orders of five or more: $49.99 each, plus shipping.
These connected tools may be used together or purchased separately. The Life Map™ Workbook guides private reflection on origins, turning points, patterns, meaning, and the path forward. The Wall and Mapping Systems bring stories, people, events, questions, and recurring patterns into view so relationships can be recognized over time. Each is a complete standalone piece, allowing you to begin with the form that best fits the work in front of you.
Each workbook, Wall System, and Mapping System is priced individually at $59, plus shipping. Orders of five or more pieces: $49.99 each, plus shipping.
A focused, time-limited working session built around one particular story, collection, workbook passage, question, or obstacle. Sessions may take place by video, telephone, in person, or in the Legacy Studio. This is structured legacy work—not therapy, counseling, or open-ended coaching.
The selected workbook, travel, and other agreed expenses are additional. The purpose, length, format, and full cost are confirmed before scheduling.
Designed for families, community organizations, historical groups, educators, researchers, and others exploring a shared legacy or body of stories. A workshop may be held online, at the requesting organization’s location, or in the Legacy Studio, as a single gathering or a tailored series.
The fee reflects the purpose, number of participants, preparation, length, workbooks, location, travel, and related expenses. Contact Ross for a written proposal.
A private, full-day working experience in Ross Burton’s Studio in Lanesville, Gloucester, Massachusetts. A typical day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and may include advance preparation, a selected workbook, guided discussion, visual examples from the Studio, reflection and mapping, and a practical plan for what comes next.
Each Studio experience is tailored. Travel and overnight accommodations are the participant’s responsibility; nearby lodging information can be provided.
Available for schools, libraries, community organizations, researchers, and professional groups exploring legacy storytelling, family patterns, human expression, preservation, Virginia Lee Burton, Burton-family history, design, textiles, place, or related subjects. Interviews and online conversations may also connect a project with the communities it serves.
Presentations and special projects are individually scoped. Fees, preparation, travel, and related expenses are agreed upon in writing before the work begins.
The work begins with something real and manageable. The purpose is not to force a life into a finished biography, but to help a person or family recognize what matters and take a practical next step.
The result may be a recorded story, an identified photograph, a prioritized rescue list, the beginning of a life map, a newly visible family pattern, or simply a clear and manageable place to begin.
Every legacy project begins in a different place. Tell Ross what you are working with, who would participate, why it matters now, and what you hope to accomplish. He will respond personally and help determine which workbook, working session, workshop, or experience appears to fit. There is no charge or obligation for the initial inquiry.
Contact Ross →