Vermont Historical Society facts for kids
| Established | 2002 |
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| Location | 60 Washington Street Barre, Vermont, United States |
| Type | History |
| Owner | Vermont Historical Society |
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| Location | 109 State Street The Pavilion Montpelier, Vermont, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | History |
| Owner | Vermont Historical Society |
The Vermont Historical Society (VHS) is an organization that works to save and share the history of Vermont. It was started way back in 1838. The main office, called the Vermont History Center, is in Barre, Vermont. It's located in an old school building.
In Montpelier, Vermont, the Society also runs the Vermont History Museum. This museum is inside a building called The Pavilion. It's very close to the Vermont State House, which is where the state government works.
Contents
About the Vermont Historical Society
The Vermont Historical Society helps everyone learn about Vermont's past. It was created to keep records and stories of the state's culture.
- The Society has about 2,500 members.
- It is led by 22 trustees and five officers. These leaders are chosen by the members each year.
- The Society has 11 full-time and 4 part-time employees.
The Leahy Library
The Leahy Library is a special place for people to do research. It opened in July 2002. The library has a huge collection of books and old papers.
- You can find 50,000 books and magazines there.
- It also has 1,500 feet of old handwritten documents.
- There are 30,000 photographs to look at.
- The library holds over 1,000 maps.
- It has the biggest collection of family history records in Vermont.
Exploring Vermont's Past
The Vermont Historical Society offers two main places to explore history: the Vermont History Museum and the Vermont History Center.
Vermont History Museum
The Vermont History Museum is in Montpelier. It is located in the Pavilion building, right next to the state capital. The museum has a collection of 20,000 items.
- These items include art, crafts, and things people used in their homes.
- You can see old clothes and farming tools.
- There are also industrial products from long ago until today.
- Some of the museum's exhibits can also be seen online.
Vermont History Center
The Vermont History Center is in Barre, Vermont. It is in the beautiful old Spaulding school building. This center has three galleries with changing exhibits.
- These exhibits show different parts of Vermont's history.
- The center also holds the Society's library and museum collections.
- It has offices and a space for public meetings.
Fun Programs and Events
The Vermont Historical Society has many programs. They offer workshops and conferences about Vermont history.
Vermont History Expo
From 2000 to 2016, the VHS held the Vermont History Expo. This was a big weekend event in Tunbridge, Vermont. It celebrated the state's heritage.
- Each Expo had many themed attractions.
- Over 150 local history groups had exhibits.
- There was music, family activities, and food.
- People could enjoy presentations and performances.
Programs for Families and Schools
The education team at the Vermont Historical Society creates programs for everyone. They help families, teachers, and students learn about history.
- Students and teachers can take free field trips to the museum.
- They offer history kits that schools can borrow.
- Students can join Vermont History Day. This lets them study a historical topic deeply.
The Society also has a website called Vermont History Explorer. It is made for kids and teachers. It helps them learn about Vermont history. The website has maps, documents, and many photos. It also has over 200 articles about Vermont history. These articles are written for different age groups.
Vermont Women’s History Project
This program focuses on the important roles women have played in Vermont's history. It shows how women helped shape the state.
Helping Local History Groups
Since 1943, the Vermont Historical Society has helped local history groups. They do this through the League of Local Historical Societies and Museums.
- The League works with 192 public libraries in Vermont.
- It also partners with 200 local museums and heritage groups.
- They offer free advice on how to care for collections.
- They help groups use technology to share history in rural areas.
- This help includes advice on caring for items, e-newsletters, and awards.
- They also hold an annual conference and publish a list of all local history societies.
See also
- List of historical societies in Vermont
