Addison County - Museum Directory
Please Note: We make every effort to ensure the information listed for open hours or events is accurate, but we recommend contacting the organization directly to confirm before making plans to visit.
Addison Town Historical Society
There is no established museum; visitors by appointment
Bridport Historical Society
The Ephraim Gray house was built about 1812. The society's collection includes artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts reflecting life in Bridport from 1800 to the present.
Genealogical files are available at the town clerk's office, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, closed Thursday afternoon. Visitors by appointment, handicap accessible.
Bristol Historical Society
At various times a church, a store, and a school, Howden Hall has been restored for a variety of community uses. The historical society displays collections including photographs, maps, postcards, posters, and newspapers. Visitors by appointment. Free. Handicap accessible.
Cornwall Historical Society
The society has a growing collection of artifacts and archives in its office in the Cornwall town hall. Historical property records and genealogical information are available at the town clerk's office. Visitors by appointment.
DAR John Strong Mansion Museum
The Vermont Daughters of the American Revolution invite you to visit this 200 year old home of a Revolutionary War Patriot and his family. Experience one of Vermont ’s most important 18th century homes- a masterpiece of Federal architecture. See period room displays and hear the story of a Colonial family’s life in the northern wilderness.
Hours and Admission: Open for Guided Tours Memorial Day-Labor Day, Saturday & Sunday, 11am to 3pm.Email for special tours by appointment. Admission: Adults $5; Seniors and Students $3; Families $10
East Middlebury Historical Society
The East Middlebury Historical Society serves to preserve the history, genealogy, artifacts, and culture of East Middlebury, VT. Its membership has a wide range of knowledge and interests and is eager to share their information with everyone. We enjoy getting together to share stories and a good time. Please come by the Sarah Partridge Community House to see the historical exhibits available there and learn more about the historical society. The Society meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Sarah Partridge Community House [431 East Main, St., East Middlebury, VT]. Please join us!
Hours and Admission: Tuesdays & Saturdays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Thursdays 2:00 to 6:00 pm.
Ferrisburgh Historical Society
Our artifacts are stored in a vault at the Ferrisburgh Historical Society's building, former Center School and Town Clerk's Office on Route 7.
Meetings are the second Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm. New members and guests are always welcome.
Goshen Historical Society
The Goshen Vermont Historical Society was formed in 2022 for the purpose of researching, documenting, preserving and revealing the rich history of Goshen and its people. The Society meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm at the Goshen Town Hall. All are welcome.
Hancock Historical Society
Hancock Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, collecting and sharing information about Hancock and its people and events.
Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History
The museum offers tours, exhibits, and programs aimed at facilitating an understanding of regional Vermont history through sharing with the community a wealth of objects and written materials that document the history of Middlebury, Addison County, and Vermont. It also has a gallery, a shop, and gardens.
Hours and Admission:
Museum: June - Columbus Day weekend: Tues–Sat., 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00 pm; Fall/Winter/Spring: Tues–Sat., 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Research Center:Thursday and Friday, 1:00 - 5:00 pm, or by appointment
Admission fee
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum connects people to Lake Champlain through history, archaeology, ecology, hands-on experiences, and more. The museum includes outside and indoor exhibits and features summer camps, boat building, rowing, underwater research, and public programs. Admission to the museum is free for all visitors. Exhibits are open May through October, programs and the digital museum with online exhibits are available year-round. Join us to learn from the past and build a sustainable future for Lake Champlain!
Hours and Admission: The Museum is open seasonally every day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. See the website for open and closing dates. Admission is Free for all.
Lincoln Historical Society
The society has a collection of local artifacts in a restored 18th-century farmhouse and a 19th-century barn in a meticulously landscaped setting. Exhibits change annually. The activities include a yard sale Memorial Day Weekend and an Annual Meeting in August.
Hours and Admission:
June-October on the 2nd & 4th Sundays, 12:00 to 4:00 pm; or by appointment.
Monkton Museum & Historical Society
The society’s collection is housed in the Monkton town hall in Monkton Ridge. Visitors are welcome, by appointment; when the town hall is open (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). The town hall is handicap accessible. Meetings are the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Monkton town hall. Meetings are open to everyone. Note that a meeting is not held in December.
New Haven Historical Society
There is no established museum. Meetings are the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the New Haven Community Library. Meeting notices appear in the monthly town newsletter (online), Front Porch Forum, and the Addison Independent.
Orwell Historical Society
The society's collection of Orwell history from the Revolutionary War through World War II to the present day is housed at the Wright Memorial Library.
Hours: By appointment.
Ripton Historical Society
Rokeby Museum
Rokeby Museum is a National Historic Landmark designated for its exceptional Underground Railroad history. The site includes a new main exhibit, "Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family"; a fully furnished historic house; 9 historic farm buildings; special exhibits; and acres of grounds and trails.
Hours and Admission: Open daily 10 to 5 from mid-May to mid-October. Adults $12, Seniors, $11, Students $10. House tours (plus admission) Adults $5, Seniors & Students, $4; NARM members and children under 6 free.
Salisbury Historical Society
There is no museum at this time. Plans are to rebuild an eighteenth-century settler's cabin near the site of Ann Story's cabin. Meetings take place at the Salisbury town hall. Visitors by appointment.
Shoreham Historical Society
A former stone schoolhouse (1839) has photographs, documents, arrowheads, and extensive genealogical files pertaining to the Shoreham area. There are also locally made sleighs, a barn loom, and other large objects at Newton Academy on School Street. Visitors year—round by appointment.
Starksboro Historical Society
This society, formed in 2005, does not have a museum. The group meets the 4th Thursday of every other month at 7:00 pm at the town hall. Call or email for hours and admission.
Vergennes Historical Society
The society collects the history of the Vergennes area. It does not currently have a physical address, but usually meets on the first Thursday of the month from Sept-April.
Vermont Folklife Center
Documenting and sharing cultural traditions of Vermont primarily through audio interviews and documentary exhibits. Our archive is home to over 5,000 audio interviews, 15,000 photographs, and numerous collections of regional traditional music. We also offer workshops on audio interviewing, an apprenticeship program for the traditional arts, and have an active outreach program in a number of Vermont schools.
Hours and Admission: Open Tuesday through Saturday 10-5. Admission by donation Closed on legal holidays and between Christmas and New Years.