Shelburne Museum – Shelburne, Vermont
Come to Shelburne and visit these distinctive and popular art and outdoor history museums. There are over 150,000 works exhibited in the 39 buildings, 6 period houses, a lighthouse, a steam locomotive, an operating vintage carousel, a general store, a covered bridge, steamboat Ticonderoga and more. Of the buildings are historic and were moved to the site.
The fine art galleries will be an added delight to your visit. There are Impressionist paintings, folk art, quilts and textiles, decorative arts, furniture, American paintings and a wide display of 17th to 20th century artifacts on display. The 19th century American folk art, and quilts that are on display is one of the finest collections anywhere. There is also a display of 19th and 20th century decoys and carriages.
The buildings on the grounds were from both New York and New England and moved to the location to house the museum. The concept was visioned and carried out by Electra Havemeyer Webb (1888 – 1960). The buildings are a collection of houses, barns, a meeting house, one-room schoolhouse, a lighthouse, a jail, a general store, a covered bridge, and the 220 foot steamboat.
The landscape of the museum is also an eye pleasing experience with the over 400 lilacs, circular formal garden, herb and heirloom vegetable gardens, and perennial gardens.
Although the Brick House is not part of the museum it is where the ideas for displays were tested. The house was a wedding gift to Electra Havemeyer Webb and her husband, James Watson Webb where she lived form 1913 to 1960. It is located abut two miles from the Museum. The 40 room masterpiece of the Colonial Revival style which was expanded by the Webb’s from the modest early 19th century farmhouse that they had received as the wedding gift. There are three open houses at the Brick House so check with the Museum see if one of them falls at a time when you are going to be in Shelburne.
Just some of the buildings at the Museum are the 1950 House which is a typical house built following WWII. The 1,000 square foot ranch house shows you the way people lived during the 1950′s. The house is furnished with authentic artifacts such as a wringer washer in the basement and a 1939 Chevy in the driveway.
The Dutton House shows a home from the 1820′s in New England. The house served as the home for the family and the headquarters for the commercial activities such as a tavern, inn and office space for other enterprises. The saltbox house was added to over time making the house a classic example of continuous architecture.
The Meeting House shows how the community gathered for performances, weddings and meetings. It was built in 1940 in Charlotte as a Methodist church.
The opportunity to see so many different buildings from the past in one location is a delightful addition to any trip. Make sure you include the Shelburne Museum in your travel plans.
Hours of Operation: 10 AM – 5 PM
Admission: Adults $20; Children (5018) $10; Children under 5 are Free. Family Day pass $50. Vermont residents get in for half price. After 4 PM the price of admission is half.
Accessibility
The Museum strives to make its exhibitions and programs accessible to all visitors. A detailed accessibility guide is available at the Admissions desk. A wheelchair accessible shuttle bus provides transportation around the Museum.
To have a copy of the accessibility guide sent to you, please contact us at: (802) 985-3346 or e-mail us at: info@shelburnemuseum.org
Museum Customs
Pets are not allowed inside the Museum grounds.
Photography and video is permitted in most buildings; tripods are not permitted for indoor use. Flash photography is restricted in some exhibits. Some exhibits may prohibit photography and video. Photography and video is limited to personal use. During your visit, authorized photographers may record your image for use in Museum publicity.
Parking
Parking is free.