List of museums in Vermont facts for kids

Vermont is a beautiful state in the U.S. with many interesting places to visit, including lots of museums! A museum is a special place where people collect, care for, and show off cool objects. These objects can be about art, science, history, or different cultures. They help us learn about the past and the world around us.

This list will help you discover some of the amazing museums you can explore in Vermont.

Exploring Vermont's Museums

Vermont has museums for all kinds of interests! Whether you love history, art, science, or learning about how things are made, there's a museum for you.

History and Local Life Museums

These museums tell stories about Vermont's past, its people, and how they lived.

• Abenaki Indian Museum: This museum shares the history and culture of the Abenaki people, who are Native Americans from this region. It travels to different places in Vermont.
• Adam's Grist Mill Museum in Bellows Falls: Learn about local history in this old mill.
• Barnard Historical Society Museum in Barnard: This museum is in an old one-room schoolhouse and teaches about local history.
• Barre Museum in Barre: Discover the history of Barre. It's part of the Aldrich Public Library.
• Benson Museum in Benson: Explore the local history of Benson.
• Bethel Historical Society Museum in Bethel: Learn about Bethel's past.
• Black River Academy Museum in Ludlow: This museum focuses on local history.
• Bradford Historical Society in Bradford: Located in the Woods Academy Building, it shares local stories.
• Braintree Hill Meeting House in Braintree: Operated by the Braintree Historical Society, it shows local history.
• Brandon Museum at the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace in Brandon: This museum tells the story of the local anti-slavery movement and the life of Stephen A. Douglas, a famous politician from Vermont.
• Brattleboro History Center in Brattleboro: Learn about the history of Brattleboro.
• Brick Schoolhouse Museum in Georgia: This museum teaches about local history and also runs the Gordon's Mill Agricultural Museum.
• Cavendish Historical Society Museum in Cavendish: Located in the old town hall, it shares local history.
• Chester Historical Society Museum in Chester: Discover the history of Chester.
• Chimney Point State Historic Site in Addison: This historic site has exhibits about the Abenaki people, French settlers, and American colonists.
• Corinth Academy Museum in Corinth: Learn about local history in Corinth.
• Dorset Historical Society Museum in Dorset: Explore the history of Dorset, including its marble industry and pottery.
• Dover History Center in Dover: Located in the old Harris House and blacksmith shop, it shares local history.
• Eaton Hall Museum in Pittsford: Operated by the Pittsford Historical Society, it focuses on local history.
• Enosburgh Historical Society Museum in Enosburg Falls: Learn about the history of Enosburgh.
• Fairfax Historical Society Museum in Fairfax: This museum shares local history.
• First Congregational Church Museum in Berkshire: It focuses on local history.
• Franklin Historical Society Museum in Franklin: Located in a late 19th-century log cabin, it tells local stories.
• General Wait House in Waitsfield: Operated by the Waitsfield Historical Society, it shares local history.
• Goodwillie House Museum in Barnet: Learn about Barnet's local history.
• Gov. Jonas Galusha Homestead in Shaftsbury: This 1783 house has exhibits about local history.
• Grafton Historical Society Museum in Grafton: Discover the history of Grafton.
• Guilford Historical Society Museum in Guilford: Located in the old town hall, it shares local history.
• Halifax Historical Society Museum in Halifax: Learn about Halifax's past.
• Hartland Historic Society Museum in Hartland: This museum focuses on local history.
• Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury: This museum has collections of Vermont furniture, paintings, and household items from the 1800s and 1900s.
• Higley House Museum in Castleton: Operated by the Castleton Historical Society, it shares local history.
• Historical Society of Wilmington Museum in Wilmington: Located in the Barber House, it focuses on local history.
• Hughes Barn Museum in Thetford: This museum shows artifacts from farming and rural life in the 1800s.
• Isle La Motte Historical Society in Isle La Motte: It includes an 1840 schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and a log cabin from the 1800s.
• Lincoln Historical Society in Lincoln: This museum includes an 18th-century farmhouse and a 19th-century barn.
• Londonderry Arts & Historical Society in Londonderry: Located in the 1814 Rev. E. H. Newton House, it shares local history.
• Marlboro Historical Society Museum in Marlboro: Located in the Custer Sharp House, it focuses on local history.
• Marvin Newton House in Brookfield: Operated by the Brookfield Historical Society, it shares local history.
• Middletown Springs Historical Society Museum in Middletown Springs: Located in the Adams House, it focuses on local history.
• Mount Holly Community Historical Museum in Mount Holly: Located in the Adams House, it shares local history.
• North Hero Historical Society Museum in North Hero: Known as the "Hookenspoon," it's open seasonally.
• Northfield Historical Society Museum in Northfield: Learn about Northfield's past.
• Norwich Historic Society Museum in Norwich: This museum focuses on local history.
• Old Stone House Museum in Brownington: This museum shows what life was like in northern Vermont in the 1800s. It has six historic buildings on 55 acres.
• Peacham Historical Association Museum in Peacham: Operated by the Peacham Historical Association, it shares local history.
• Poultney Historical Society in Poultney: It includes an 1896 schoolhouse, a Melodeon Factory, and an 18th-century schoolhouse.
• Randolph Historical Society Museum in Randolph: Located above the police station, it shares local history.
• Reading Historical Society Museum in Reading: Learn about Reading's past.
• Readsboro Historical Society Museum in Readsborol: This museum focuses on local history.
• Richford Historical Society Museum in Richford: Located in a 1908 fire station, it shares local history.
• Rupert Historical Society Museum in Rupert: Discover the history of Rupert.
• Rutland Historical Society in Rutland: Located in the 1860 Nickwackett Fire House, it focuses on local history.
• Saxtons River Historical Society Museum in Saxtons River: Learn about Saxtons River's past.
• Shores Memorial Museum in Lyndon: Operated by the Lyndon Historical Society, it shares local history.
• Shrewsbury Historical Society Museum in Cuttingsville: This museum focuses on local history.
• St. Albans Museum in St. Albans: Operated by the Saint Albans Historical Society, it shares local history.
• St. Johnsbury History & Heritage Center in St. Johnsbury: Learn about the local history of St. Johnsbury.
• Stowe Historical Society Museum in Stowe: This museum focuses on local history.
• Town House Museum in Sheffield: Operated by the Sheffield Historical Society, it shares local history.
• Vermont Heritage Galleries in Barre: These galleries have changing exhibits about state and local city history.
• Vermont History Museum in Montpelier: This museum tells the story of Vermont from the 1600s to today.
• Vernon Historians in Vernon: Located in a one-room schoolhouse, it shares local history.
• Waterbury Historical Society Museum in Waterbury: Located in the Waterbury Public Library, it focuses on local history.
• Westminster Historical Society Museum in Westminster: Located on the second floor of the town hall, it shares local history.
• Whitingham Historical Society Museum in Whitingham: Learn about Whitingham's past.
• Williamstown Historical Society Museum in Williamstown: This museum focuses on local history.
• Windham County Historical Museum in Newfane: Operated by the Historical Society of Windham County, it shares local history.
• Winhall Museum in Winhall: Discover the history of Winhall.
• Woodstock History Center in Woodstock: Operated by the Woodstock Historical Society, it focuses on local history.

Art Museums and Galleries

If you love looking at paintings, sculptures, and other creative works, these museums are for you!

• BCA Center in Burlington: This center shows contemporary art (art made recently).
• Bennington Museum in Bennington: This museum has decorative arts, Vermont-made furniture, pottery, glass, and fine art, including paintings by Grandma Moses.
• Brattleboro Museum and Art Center in Brattleboro: This museum features changing exhibits by artists from Vermont and around the world. It's in a former train station.
• Chaffee Art Center in Rutland: This center includes an exhibit gallery for art.
• Fleming Museum of Art in Burlington: Part of the University of Vermont, this museum has art and artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It has over 25,000 objects and opened in 1931.
• Hall Art Foundation in Reading: This museum shows contemporary art and has sculptures outside. It used to be a dairy farm!
• Helen Day Art Center in Stowe: A place to see and enjoy art.
• Middlebury College Museum of Art in Middlebury: This museum has ancient art, Asian art, and American and European paintings and sculptures from different time periods.
• Miller Art Center in Springfield: This center has local history, fine art, decorative arts, photos, clothing, dolls, and military artifacts.
• Museum of the Creative Process in Manchester: This museum has exhibits about psychology, creativity, and politics through sculpture, modern art, and painting.
• The Museum of Everyday Life in Glover: This unique museum has an interesting collection of everyday objects.
• Norman Rockwell Exhibit in Arlington: This exhibit focuses on the art of Norman Rockwell and the years he lived in Arlington.
• Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester: It includes the Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum with art from the 1800s and 1900s, and a sculpture park.
• St. Johnsbury Athenaeum in St. Johnsbury: This place features American and European art.
• T. W. Wood Gallery & Arts Center in Montpelier: It shows works by Thomas Waterman Wood and other artists, including art from the state's Federal Art Project collection.
• Vermont International Museum of Contemporary Art + Design in Eden: This museum focuses on modern art and design.

Science and Nature Museums

These museums are great for learning about animals, plants, and how the world works.

• Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington: See more than 475 amazing, life-like woodcarvings of Vermont birds.
• ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington: Learn about the natural history, boats, and environment of Lake Champlain.
• Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury: This museum has exhibits on natural history, local history, and different cultures. It also has a public planetarium where you can learn about space!
• Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich: This museum has hands-on exhibits about anatomy, math, astronomy, mechanics, and natural history. It also has trails and live animals.
• Nature Museum at Grafton in Grafton: A great place to learn about nature.
• Southern Vermont Natural History Museum in Marlboro: This museum has animal mounts (stuffed animals) and even some live animals!
• University of Vermont Natural History Museum in Burlington: It includes collections of plants (Pringle Herbarium) and animals (Thompson Zoological Collections).

Specialty and Industry Museums

These museums focus on specific topics, like how things are made or unique collections.

• American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester: Learn about the history of angling (fishing with a rod and line), including old rods, reels, flies, and books.
• American Precision Museum in Windsor: This museum shows important machine tools and how things are made with great accuracy.
• Ben's Mill in Barnet: This historic mill building has been used for many things in the past and includes a woodworking shop and a blacksmith forge.
• Bread and Puppet Museum in Glover: See the amazing puppets and masks from the famous Bread and Puppet Theater.
• Corinth Agricultural and Trades Museum in Corinth: This museum focuses on farming and different trades.
• Estey Organ Museum in Brattleboro: This museum works to save and show the history of the Estey Organ Co., which made musical organs.
• Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making in Springfield: See a collection of telescopes made by people who love astronomy. It's located in the historic Governor James Hartness Mansion.
• Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design in Waitsfield: This museum displays cool designs and manufactured objects.
• Main Street Museum in White River Junction: This is a unique place with an interesting collection of everyday objects and art.
• New England Maple Museum in Rutland: Learn all about how maple syrup is made!
• Old Mill Museum in Weston: This is an early 20th-century grinding mill.
• Swanton Railroad Depot Museum in Swanton: Operated by the Swanton Historical Society, this museum focuses on railroad history.
• Vermont Marble Museum in Proctor: Learn about the importance of Vermont marble and the Vermont Marble Company.
• Vermont National Guard Library and Museum in Colchester: This museum tells the history of the Vermont National Guard and the military heritage of Vermont.
• Vermont Scale Museum in Weston: Located in the Vermont Country Store, this museum has a collection of scales and measuring tools.
• Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe: Discover the history of skiing and snowboarding in Vermont.
• Vermont Toy Museum in White River Junction: A fun place to see all kinds of toys!

Historic Homes and Farms

These museums let you step back in time and see how people lived in historic houses and on old farms.

• Bill Wilson House in East Dorset: This is the birthplace and a memorial to Bill Wilson, who helped start Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock: This is a working dairy farm with a restored farmhouse from the late 1800s. It shows what rural life was like.
• Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington: Visit the late 18th-century home of Ethan Allen, a famous founder of Vermont.
• Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield: This is a one-room schoolhouse from the late 1700s.
• Farrar-Mansur House in Weston: A period house from the mid-1800s.
• Garipay House in Hartford: Operated by the Hartford Historical Society, this is a historic house.
• Green Mountain Perkins Academy in South Woodstock: This was a private high school in the 1800s.
• Hildene in Manchester: This is the early 20th-century summer mansion of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln.
• Hyde Log Cabin in Grand Isle: This is a log house from the late 1700s.
• John Strong Mansion Museum in Addison: This is a late 18th-century brick home.
• Justin Smith Morrill Homestead in Strafford: Visit the 19th-century home of United States Senator Justin Smith Morrill.
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock: This is a historic house and park.
• Noyes House Museum in Morrisville: Operated by the Morristown Historical Society, it shows what life was like in the 1800s with furniture, textiles, and tools.
• Old Constitution House in Windsor: This 18th-century tavern is where the Vermont Republic and its constitution were created.
• Park-McCullough Historic House in North Bennington: A mid-19th-century mansion.
• President Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site in Plymouth: Visit the early 20th-century family home of President Calvin Coolidge.
• President Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site in Fairfield: This is a reconstructed childhood home of President Chester A. Arthur.
• Reverend Dan Foster House in Weathersfield: This 18th-century house has local historic items, including Civil War memorabilia and a children's schoolroom.
• Robert Frost Stone House Museum in Shaftsbury: This was the home of the famous early 20th-century poet Robert Frost.
• Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh: This 18th-century house was a safe house on the Underground Railroad, helping people escape slavery.
• Wilson Castle in Proctor: A 19th-century estate that looks like a castle!

Military History Museums

Learn about battles and soldiers at these sites.

• Hubbardton Battlefield in Hubbardton: The visitor center has exhibits about the Battle of Hubbardton during the American Revolutionary War.
• Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell: This site has a museum and is an archaeological site from the American Revolutionary War.
• Sullivan Museum and History Center in Northfield: This museum tells the history of Norwich University.

Other Interesting Museums

• Goodrich Memorial Library in Newport: This library has display cases and exhibits of local historical items, natural history, and art.
• Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes: Explore shipwrecks, boats, and other items related to the history of Lake Champlain.
• Shelburne Farms in Shelburne: This is a National Historic Landmark with guided tours and seasonal art exhibits.
• Shelburne Museum in Shelburne: This large museum has folk art, American history items, a 1950s house, paintings, quilts, historic buildings, and even a steamboat called the Ticonderoga (steamboat)!

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close. Here are a few that used to be in Vermont:

• Cornish Colony Museum in Windsor, closed around 2010.
• National Museum of the Morgan Horse, which was in Shelburne.
• Precision Valley Corvette Museum, which was in Springfield.

More Places to Explore

• Aquariums in Vermont (places with fish and other water animals)
• List of historical societies in Vermont
• Nature Centers in Vermont