Chittenden County - Museum Directory

Natural history meets art with over 500 life-like wood carvings of birds in realistic habitats. Breeding birds in nests, raptors overhead, long wetland dioramas, and changing special exhibits complement science and art events, forest and meadow trails, children’s programs, and bird feeding. Be inspired by Bob Spear and others!

Hours and Admission: Open Daily May 1 - Oct 31, 10am - 4pm.  Open by appointment, Nov 1- April 30.  Admission $7/adult, discounts for kids, seniors, groups

The museum is located in the center of the early town in a building that is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture. The former town hall contains 18th- and 19th-century household articles, a collection of Native American baskets made in Charlotte, and early tools.

Hours and Admission: July 4th - Labor Day: Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 pm., or by appointment. Free. Accessible to the disabled.

The society is dedicated to encouraging original research and study of our local history in Chittenden County. We also aid in the publishing and distribution of important historical articles, reports, monographs, and books resulting from such studies. We encourage and help in the work of searching for, discovering, and cataloging historical materials that will establish and illustrate the development of Chittenden County, its exploration, settlement, and activities; its progress in population, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufactures, trade, and transportation. We have a quarterly publication: the Bulletin, and programs throughout the year. 

The society is located in a former Baptist parsonage built in 1899. Two bedrooms and a parlor are set up with furnishings of the period. Various artifacts and old photos are on display. Meetings and programs are held monthly (except for July and August). In May of 2007, the society opened its restored log schoolhouse to the public. The circa 1815 building, rescued and moved to Airport Park, serves as a museum and information center at a popular location near the Colchester recreation path. The Schoolhouse is open to the public Memorial Day through Labor Day, Fridays - Mondays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

ECHS promotes the discovery and preservation of historical materials, offers relevant programs to educate the community about the past, and helps individuals and families to discover genealogical links to their Essex ancestors. ECHS is an open society and welcomes all who have an interest in history in general and/or interest in the Town of Essex and the City of Essex Junction. ECHS operates the Harriet Farnsworth Powell Historical Museum located in the Little White School House adjacent to the Essex Free Library in Essex Center at the intersection of Routes 15 and 128.                  

Hours and Admission: The Harriet Farnsworth Powell  Historical Museum is open the first Sunday in June through the second Sunday in October, Sundays 1-4 pm. Open other times by appointment.   Admission free.

Step back in time to the 18th century at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum! Come see what everyday life was like on the New England frontier during and after the American Revolution. Museum admission includes access to exhibits, a guided tour of the restored 1787 Allen House, a 15-minute film on Revolutionary War veteran & Vermont founder Ethan Allen, a kid's costume corner, tavern toys & games, and access to our recreated 18th-century colonial garden. The Museum also hosts a gift shop featuring Vermont artisan products and historical books and toys. This private non-profit museum is located within the Ethan Allen Park, a public park run by the Winooski Vallery Park District, which includes hiking and cycling trails along the Winooski River, community gardens, and a picnic shelter. Bring a picnic and spend the day with us!

Hours and Admission: May 1 - October 31, daily 10am-4pm. 

The Heritage Winooski Mill Museum is located in the historic Champlain Mill overlooking the Winooski River. Exhibits on view document the industrial and cultural history of the Winooski Falls mill era from 1838-1954.

Hours and Admission: Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00pm. Closed major holidays. Free.

"Education. Preservation. Outreach." - from The HHS Mission. Meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month at the Hinesburg town hall (10632 VT Rte 116).

HHCT is a community-based organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the historical and rural aspects of Huntington’s character through: The conservation of agricultural and forested lands; The preservation of sites and structures of historic value; And the cultivation of a quality environment and cohesive community.                                                                    

The society's museum is located in a mill built in 1856 and enlarged 30 years later. The Snowflake Bentley Room displays snowflake prints, photographs, and other memorabilia from Bentley's life and work.

Hours and Admission: 
January - March: Thursday-Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; April - December: Monday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm; 

The Lost Mural Project works to preserve and share a 1910 synagogue mural, painted in Burlington's Chai Adam Synagogue by Lithuanian Jewish immigrant Ben Zion Black. In 2015 the Lost Mural was moved from its original location (which was converted into an apartment building in 1986) to Ohavi Zedek Synagogue on North Prospect St. In 2020 and 2021 the Lost Mural is undergoing conservation work. To learn more, visit https://www.lostmural.org/conservation      

Hours and Admission: Open by appointment.                      

The society's museum, located in the former Trinity Episcopal Church (circa 1891), houses its collection of permanent and special exhibits documenting Milton's history with maps, books, clothing, photographs, documents, furniture, tools, etc. Timeline of major events with pictures and population graph. Special auto racing and farming exhibits. Follow on Facebook at facebook.com/miltonhistoricalsocietyvt  

Hours and Admission: May-October: Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm or by appointment. Free admission, donations appreciated.

Constructed in 1812 to service 5 denominations, the church cost $2,305.42 and was paid for by the sale of its pews. The 16-sided building has been restored by the society and is considered one of the most important buildings in the state; it is a National Historic Landmark. Activities include group tours by appointment and summer music programs.

Hours and Admission: 
Memorial Day - mid-June: Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
mid-June to Columbus Day: daily 10:00 am - 4:00 pm; or by appointment

Meetings normally held the First Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall, lower level (enter through the Pierson Library entrance).

Hours & Admission: Tuesday-Thursday, 3:00 to 6:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please call for appointment to ensure a SHS member is there to assist you.

Visitors by appointment.

The Tiny Museum presents artifacts and interactive exhibits telling the stories of music made in Vermont, in a space shared by Big Heavy World — Vermont's volunteer-run music office — and 105.9FM The Radiator, a community radio station serving Chittenden County.

Hours & Admission: Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm. Free.

The mission of the Vermont National Guard Museum and Library is to collect, preserve, manage, interpret, and exhibit the heritage of the State of Vermont and its Veterans of all military services.  Some of items on display include vehicles and Vermont uniforms going back to the 18th century; artifacts from the War of 1812, Civil War, World War One and Two, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan; Naval and Marine memorabilia; and the Vermont Wall of Heroes honors many Vermonters who distinguished themselves in service to our nation.  In addition to our exhibits we boast a library that contains many books of military and historical significance which are available for research. The library now lends a variety of non-reference books. Titles and a short synopsis can be found by going to https://www.librarything.com/Catalog/VTNGLM 

Hours and Admission: 
Tuesday thru Friday 10:00 - 3:00 pm. Admission is free.
The Museum is located on the grounds of Camp Johnson. From Rte. 15 East, immediately past the hospital, bear right just before stoplight to access Camp Johnson entrance. Museum is on the right. Stop at security gate before proceeding to the museum.

The society works on local issues, recording cemeteries and indexing grave inscriptions, rehab of a local covered bridge, as well as documenting the lives of Westford's soldiers. Records can be seen at the town office. Visitors by appointment.

The society is located in the Vermont Room of the library. On display are local artifacts, including a lap organ given to the society by the family of Governor Thomas Chittenden and a musket collection in the Town Hall.

Hours and Admission: Monday & Wednesday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, or by appointment. Free.

The Winooski Historical Society contains collections of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia associated with the history of Winooski. 

Hours and Admission: Monday-Friday:  9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Closed major holidays