Museums and Galleries
Central VT has museums that celebrate Lake Champlain to maple
13 listings
Norwich, VT
Montshire Museum of Science
One Montshire Road 802-649-2200This award-winning, hands-on museum offers more than 125 of exhibits indoors and out, relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. The building is located on 110-acres next to the Connecticut River, and the Museum’s outdoor environment is a large part of the visitor experience, including a network of walking trails and trailside exhibits. Two-acre Science Park features water exhibits from early May to mid-October. Food service is available in the Hughes Pavilion July and August.
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).
Admission: One day pass is $14 for adults and $11 for children age 2–17. Free for members and children under the age of 2. Two-day passes are available.
Proctor, VT
Vermont Marble Museum
62 Main StreetThe Vermont Marble Museum tells a unique story of the people and places that made up Vermont’s marble industry, linking historical, artistic and cultural traditions, and connecting the past with the present. Exhibits and displays include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Hall of Presidents, and information about mineralogy, geology, immigrants and industrial history. There is an on-site sculptor, a theater and a museum gift shop.
Hours: Mid-May to late October, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission; Adults, $9; seniors, $7; children and teens, $4
Vergennes, VT
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
4472 Basin Harbor Road 802-475-2022Four acres of exhibits, shipwrecks nautical archaeology, antique boats and more. Explore the vibrant history of the Champlain Valley through its military, commercial and regional periods. Climb aboard the 54' replica gunboat Philadelphia II. Twelve exhibit buildings, collections, working forge, boat building courses and workshops, replica gunboat, shipwrecks, nautical archaeology center, antique boats, boat livery, visitor center and museum store, field study, outreach, summer programs.
Hours: Late May to mid-October, Daily 10am - 4pm. Admission is free.
Rutland, VT
Chaffee Center for the Visual Arts
16 South Main Street (Route 7) 802-775-0356The Chaffee Art Center represents more than 200 artists working in virtually every medium from painting, sculpture, and photography to ceramics, printmaking, and fine furniture. Housed in a Victorian mansion. A gift shop is open on the premises. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, noon-5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday Information: www.chaffeeartcenter.org
Ludlow, VT
Black River Academy Museum
14 High Street 802-228-5050The three-story academy building, which once housed the Academy (Calvin Coolidge's alma mater), is now a historical museum for the town of Ludlow. There are academy memorabilia, 19th-century furnishings, costumes, tools, farm implements, a Finnish exhibit, Coolidge memorabilia, and a textile school offering courses in weaving, spinning and quilt making. Hours: June-Columbus Day, Tuesday–Saturday, 1–4 p.m.; winter hours by appointment. Information: www.bramvt.org/
East Montpelier, VT
Morse Farm Sugarhouse and Museum
Main Street 802-223-2740Visitors are welcome to tours the sugar house and taste the maple, at no charge. Film and other displays in a theater in a real woodshed, nature trail, country store, and museum of Vermont farm life. Throughout the grounds are carved folklife characters created by Burr Morse.
Middlebury, VT
Vermont Folklife Center
88 Main Street 802-388-4964The Vermont Folklife Center preserves and presents the folk arts and cultural traditions of Vermont through exhibits, media, publication and educational projects. The center has made preservation of the spoken word the core of its endeavors, and its archive now comprises more than 3,800 taped interviews, which have been transcribed and electronically indexed. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information; http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/
Windsor, VT
American Precision Museum
196 Main Street 802-674-5781The foundations of modern industry started here in Windsor VT. Tracing back more than 200 years, you enter the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory where the American System of Manufacturing was developed and remains in practice. You’re standing where interchangeable parts came into play; where the union army was supplied by round the clock production of rifles, carbines and pistols, and where after the war, industry turned its attentions to the production of consumer goods. Discover the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation where employing precision metal and wood cutting machines and establishing high standards of accuracy made mass production possible. Educational programs and activities for all ages abound including the Machine Tool Hall of Fame.
Pittsford, VT
New England Maple Museum
4578 US Route 7 802-483-9414Visitors to this museum will learn all about the manufacture of Vermont maple syrup. Exhibits include demonstrations of sap collecting, candy-making, and syrup making. A slide show and tastings are included, and a gift shop is open on the premises.
Hours: late May -October 31, daily, 9-5 p.m.; November 1-December 23, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; January and February, closed; mid-March-late May, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stowe, VT
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum
One South Main Street 802-253-9911This museum contains exhibits that focus on the history of skiing in Vermont, from marketing materials to classic signage to artwork commissioned for Burton-brand snowboards. The VT Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame can also be found here.
Montpelier, VT
TW Wood Gallery and Arts Center
46 Barre Street 802-249-5352The gallery maintains a continuous display of the paintings of Thomas Waterman Wood. The gallery shares a building with the Monteverdi Music School and the River Rock School. Exhibitions displaying the work of regional contemporary artists and craftsmen. Hurs: Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Information: www.twwoodgallery.org
Montpelier, VT
Vermont Historical Society Museum
109 State Street 802-828-2291Headquarters of the state historical society, the museum offers exhibits and programs revolving around Vermont's history and historical figures.
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $5; seniors, students, children, $3; families, $12.
Information: www.vermonthistory.org
Middlebury, VT
Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History
1 Park Street 802-388-2117One of Vermont's premier collections of furniture, art, textiles, tools and other artifacts displayed in an 1829 brick Federal style marble merchant's home. Extensive archival collections in the Stewart-Swift Research Center. Changing art and history exhibits in the Cerf gallery. Museum Shop, gardens, public programs and special events year round. Hours are Spring, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Summer and Fall schedule also includes Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission fee is charged. Information: www.henrysheldonmuseum.org/