Caledonia County - Museum Directory

Goodwillie House Museum- 1790.; Home of first minister.

Hours and Admission: Normally open one Saturday a month or by appointment.

Hours and Admission: by appointment.

Gathering, storing, organizing, and sharing the history of Danville, VT.

Hours and Admission: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm.

The Groton Historical Society is committed to the preservation of the history of Groton, providing genealogical and historical research and education, preserving the historic Peter Paul House (1840), and having fun!

Hours and Admission: Open by appointment and usually on Fall Foliage Day. Donations appreciated.

The restored Hardwick Depot, home to the Hardwick Historical Society, houses artifacts and archives from Hardwick's past. Permanent displays relate to the area's granite boom, Hardwick Academy, and everyday life in Hardwick. The archival holdings include complete runs of all local newspapers since 1890, nearly complete collections of school publications, thousands of pictures, and hundreds of topics in vertical files.

Hours and Admission: June-October: Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, or by appointment.

The society's Victorian museum features clothing and furnishings reflecting the lifestyle of the period. Special exhibits show Lyndon's history throughout the years. Its seven restored rooms display quilts, business, military and farm objects. See photos at http://www.shoresmuseum.org/shoresphoto.htm. Visitors by appointment.

The Peacham Historical Assocation collects, preserves, and makes available materials and sites relating to the history of the Town of Peacham and interprets Peacham's history through lectures, exhibits, publications, and other activities. The Peacham Corner Historic District is listed in the National Historic Register of Historic Places. A permanent exhibit of tools, a telephone exchange, and items from an old country store are displayed in a three-room historical house. An 1820's blacksmith shop has been restored with a working wooden forge. PHA's manuscripts, archival materials and the references library are housed in a former town office.

Hours and Admission:
Historical House: July 4 - first week in October: Sunday, 2:00 - 4:00 pm.
Blacksmith Shop: open as announced. 
Archival Research Center: open Thursdays 10am-12pm from May 1 to October 1.

The society’s focus is the preservation of Ryegate’s history through research and meetings and the storage and cataloguing of artifacts, documents, books, and other items of interest. Public programs are held in the summer months. The society maintains Whitelaw Hall in East Ryegate, where part of the collections are stored and displayed. Other vital archives are held in the Town Clerk’s vault.Visitors by appointment

The St. Johnsbury History & Heritage Center serves as a gateway to preserve, educate, and celebrate St. Johnsbury's historic legacy. Local historical artifacts that have been in storage for many years are now on exhibit at the Center. The Center's primary focus is to preserve these valuable collections while promoting history education. The Center's vision is to inspire an appreciation of St. Johnsbury's history and traditions and to build a historical foundation and understandings of our collective past for our community's future.

Hours and Admission: October-May: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; June-September: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The society archives are housed at the Municipal Building. The 1847 Town House Museum (75 Berry Hill Rd) is open on special occasion or by appointment through the summer months. Displays include early Sheffield life, Civil War soldiers of Sheffield, maps on the old cemeteries, and the school districts in 1875. Inquiries for private tours or genealogy are welcome.

The society has undertaken the restoration of the town's most prominent landmark, the 1888 Stannard Church. Constructed in a pristine, carpenter gothic style, the church is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and is available for rental. Activities include an old home day on the first Sunday in August. Visitors by appointment

Research archives available. Visitors by appointment.

The Waterford Historical Society is located on the Connecticut River in Caledonia County and gathers life stories and research on a post-American Revolution community whose identity was forever changed by the railroad route outside its municipal border, westward migration, and construction of 2 dams for hydroelectric power. Research archives available by appointment.

Hours & Admission: WHS usually meets March - September on the 4th Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the Davies Memorial Library, Lower Waterford.