Central VT historic farms, battlefields, museums, and gardens welcome visitors

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American Precision Museum

196 Main Street Windsor, VT 05089 Phone: 802-674-5781

Open: late May-October 31, daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The museum preserves the heritage of the mechanical arts, celebrates the ingenuity of mechanical inventors and draftsmen, and explores the effects of their work on our everyday lives. Housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, the museum holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the nation. Cost: Adults, $6; students, $4; family, $18.

Bethel Historical Society Museum

Church Street Bethel, VT 05032 Phone: 802-234-9413

Open: July-August, Sunday, 2-5 p.m. or by apppintment

The museum is located on the upper floor of the Brick Church on the green (1816). There are written records, paintings, photographs from the Bethel area, 18th and 19th century room vignettes. Exhibits change annually. Admission is free.

Black River Academy Museum

14 High Street Ludlow, VT 05149 Phone: 802-228-5050

Open: June-Columbus Day, Tuesday–Saturday, 1–4 p.m.; winter hours by appointment

The three-story academy building, which once housed the Academy (Calvin Coolidge's alma mater), is now a historical museum for the town of Ludlow. There are academy memorabilia, 19th-century furnishings, costumes, tools, farm implements, a Finnish exhibit, Coolidge memorabilia, and a textile school offering courses in weaving, spinning and quilt making.

Chimney Point State Historic Site

Addison, VT Phone: 802-759-4212

This 19th century tavern features an exhibit on the original inhabitants of the Champlain Valley: First the Native Americans and then the French. Open Wednesday - Sunday, 9:30 am - 5 pm.
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Eureka School House

Springfield, VT Phone: 802-672-3773

Built in 1790, this is the oldest one-room schoolhouse in Vermont. Open Wednesday - Sundays, May - October.

Farrar-Mansur House Museum

Route 100, On the Green Weston, VT 05161 Phone: 802-824-8190

Open: Memorial Day-July 1, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; July 1-Labor Day, daily, 1-4 p.m.

Originally built as a tavern in 1797, the house is now operated as a historic house museum by the Weston Historical Society. Collection includes 18th and 19th century decorative arts and furnishings. Cost: Adults, $2.

Green Mountain Perkins Academy

Route 106 South Woodstock, VT 05071 Phone: 802-457-3779

Open: July-August, Sunday, 2-5 p.m.

The 3-story, 19th-century school in original condition serves as a repository and archival center for material related to the academy and 19th-century community activities in South Woodstock. Admission is free.
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Henry Sheldon Museum Of Vermont History

1 Park Street Middlebury, VT 05753 Phone: 802-388-2117

Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 pm.

One of Vermont's premier collections of furniture, art, textiles, tools and other artifacts displayed in an 1829 brick Federal style marble merchant's home. Extensive archival collections in the Stewart-Swift Research Center. Changing art and history exhibits in the Cerf gallery. Museum Shop, gardens, public programs and special events year round. Cost: Adults, $5; youth age 6-18, $3; students, $3.50; seniors, $4.50; family, $12.

Historical Society Museum

Town House on the Common Royalton, VT 05068 Phone: 802-763-8830

Open: By appointment

A local history museum in a restored 1840 town hall with exhibit rooms, a library, and 1844 schoolhouse. Articles relate to the town’s history.

Hubbardton Battlefield and Museum

5696 Monument Hill Road Hubbardton, VT 05732 Phone: 802-759-2412

Open: May 27-October 9, Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Site of Revolutionary War battle on July 7, 1777, considered one of the most successful rear guard actions in the annals of American history. A visitor's reception center houses a museum with an exhibit that places this battle into its Revolutionary War context. Strategic points along the Battlefield are marked. An annual reenactment commemorates the anniversary of the battle.

John Strong DAR Mansion

West Addison, VT Phone: 802-759-2309

This mansion was originally built in 1795 and has been restored to reflect the style of that period in history. Group and special tours are offered, as well as regular visiting times. Open seasonally.

Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial

Dairy Hill Road Sharon, VT Phone: 802-763-7553

At the birthplace of the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) you will find one of the world's tallest, polished, solid granite spires in the world, erected in 1905 of stone from Barre Vermont. Site includes Visitor's Center with historical art and exhibits, films in 40 seat theater, changing special exhibits, 200-year-old homes foundations, stone walls and stone bridge; hiking trails like Patriarch Hill Hike, Joseph Tree circa 1776, picnic areas, glorious gardens, ponds brooks; show shoeing and cross country skiing.

Justin Smith Morrill Homestead

Strafford, VT Phone: 802-828-3226

A Gothic revival home with 17 rooms and 7 additional buildings on the property. This was home to Justin Smith Morrill, who established Land Grant Colleges in Vermont. Visitors will enjoy historical exhibits.
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Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

4472 Basin Harbor Road Vergennes, VT 05491 Phone: 802-475-2022

Open: May 22-October 31, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Four acres of exhibits, shipwrecks nautical archaology, antique boats and more. Explore the vibrant history of the Champlain Valley through its military, commercial and regional periods. Climb aboard the 54' replica gunboat Philadelphia II. Twelve exhibit buildings, collections, working forge, boat building courses and workshops, replica gunboat, shipwrecks, nautical archaeology center, antique boats, boat livery, visitor center and museum store, field study, outreach, summer programs. Cost: Adults,$10; seniors, $9; students age 5-17, $5.

Middletown Springs Historical Society Museum

On the Green Middlebury, VT 05757 Phone: 802-235-2561

Open: Memorial Day- October 31, Sunday, 2-4 p.m. and by appointment

Exhibits focus on the history of Middletown Springs, including botanical specimens, artifacts from the horsepower factory, the Montvert Hotel and photographs. Cost: Free admission.

Mount Independence Historic Site

Orwell, VT Phone: 802-759-2412

Mount Independence was a fortified position during the Revolutionary War. Exhibits feature artifacts from the war for independence, as well as historic trails for hiking and just walking. Open May - October.

Old Constitution House and Museum

Main Street Windsor, VT 05089 Phone: 802-672-3773

Open: Late May- mid-October, Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The tavern where Vermont's first state constitution was written. The museum includes exhibits of New England antiquities, as well as the little known "Republic of Vermont." The Old Constitution House features period rooms that reflect its use as an early tavern. A large interpretive area in the early 20th century tea room examines the events surrounding the signing of the Vermont Constitution. Cost: Adults, $2.50; children 14 and younger, free.

Poultney Historical Society Museum

2751 Vt Route 140 East Poultney, VT 05764 Phone: 802-287-2330

Open: June-August, Saturday- Sunday, 1–4 p.m. and by appointment.

The society has several buildings it has restored as museums: the Victorian High School (1896), the Melodeon Factory (1854), and the former Union Academy building (1791). Displays are of local clothing, tools, melodeons, carriages, furniture, and metalworks.

President Calvin Coolidge Birthplace

Plymouth Notch Plymouth, VT Phone: 802-672-3773

"Silent Cal," America's 30th President was born, buried, and even sworn-in as President at the Aldrich House, the centerpiece of this restored village.
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Randolph Historical Museum

Salisbury Street Randolph, VT 05061 Phone: 802-728-5398

Open: First Sunday of the month., 2-4 p.m. and by appointment

This museum features three furnished period rooms, the gravestone of Justin Morgan, and a turn-of-the-century drugstore.

Rokeby

Ferrisburgh, VT Phone: 802-877-3406

Tours are offered on this 19th century farm. Exhibits take visitors deeper into the farming life of that time.

The Church on the Hill

Lawrence Hill Road Weston, VT 05161

Set atop a hill overlooking the quintessential New England village of Weston, the landmark Church-on-the-Hill has been a fixture in the Vermont countryside for over 150 years. Founded in 1838, it is a “church of all faiths” holding non-denominational services every Summer Sunday. It also hosts a renowned concert series, Sundays on the Hill.

The Old Mill

Weston, VT

The original 18th century mill was burnt beyond repair in 1900, but has been authentically reconstructed. Exhibits feature examples of early mill technology, a grist mill, tinsmithy, and water-powered and horse-drawn saws. Open seasonally. Donations are requested.

Vermont Historical Society Museum

109 State Street Montpelier, VT 05602 Phone: 802-828-2291

Open: May–October, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m.

Headquarters of the state historical society, the museum offers exhibits and programs revolving around Vermont's history and historical figures. Cost: Adults, $5; seniors, students, children, $3; families, $12.

Vermont Statehouse

Montpelier, VT Phone: 802-828-2228

Tour Vermont's historic statehouse, exhibits feature historic state documents.

Wilson Castle

West Proctor Road Proctor, VT Phone: 802-773-3284

This mansion, built in the mid-19th century, offers a variety of imported, elegant furniture and household items. The 115-acre estate is also home to gardens and walkways. There is an admission charge.
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