Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History

Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History The Henry Sheldon Museum is the oldest chartered community history museum in the United States.

The Sheldon Museum, the oldest community-based Museum in the country, has welcomed visitors and researchers since 1882. Our mission is to serve the public by preserving the historic memory of Addison County and neighboring communities, heightening the awareness and enjoyment of our rich cultural legacy, and stimulating the study of connections between Vermont’s past and broader historical themes.

We offer lively tours, exhibits, and programs to enrich the understanding of Vermont’s past in each of the three main areas of the Museum:

◾The Judd-Harris House, built in 1829, showcases a wealth of objects depicting small town life in nineteenth century Vermont

◾The Stewart-Swift Research Center houses one of the state’s premier archival collections, documenting the history of Middlebury, Addison County, and Vermont

◾The Walter Cerf Gallery hosts changing exhibits throughout the year

Public programs at the Sheldon Museum include a popular Holiday Open House, an outdoor Pops Concert in the summer, and many other events throughout the year. View Programs & Events for a full list of upcoming Museum programs.

04/04/2026

Happy Easter weekend from the Henry Sheldon Museum & Stewart-Swift Research Center. Looking forward to seeing you all as we open Wednesday, May 20th for our 2026 season!
….
Vintage postcards: Stewart-Swift Research Collection,Ephemera Collection, Series A Box 11, Holiday Greeting Cards,
R6H3

Glass Easter Egg: Maker Unknown, glass and paint, 19th Century, Irene Bullard Collection, Henry Sheldon Museum, 2002.004.001


Book Club Alert! Are you reading along with us? Deep North: stories of Somali resettlement in Vermont. Please join us Sa...
03/31/2026

Book Club Alert! Are you reading along with us?
Deep North: stories of Somali resettlement in Vermont.
Please join us Saturday, April 25 from 1-2pm for the Historic Addison County Book Club! There will be snacks and a great discussion. Registration at link in our profile!


What is the HACBC??
Explore the historic institutions of Addison County with a traveling winter book club! Between January and April we will discuss a book relevant to each historical institution we visit. Dive into American history with a book selected by Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, cozy up to a welcoming novel at the Bixby, contemplate social justice at the Rokeby, and learn about new Vermonters at the Sheldon.

Each discussion will take place from 1-2PM on the last Saturday of each month as a hybrid meeting – come in person for tea and snacks or stay involved online via Zoom. Join all of the meetings or just one! More information and a Zoom link are available with free registration.

Looking for Joe Thursday & Friday, April 9&10Anderson Studio,  The amazing life and times of Joesph Addison!Addison’s st...
03/26/2026

Looking for Joe
Thursday & Friday, April 9&10
Anderson Studio,

The amazing life and times of Joesph Addison!
Addison’s story connects London coffee shops, revolutionary politics, one of George Washington’s favorite plays and the county we call home. Doug will sit down for a conversation with Joseph Addison himself, brought to life by professional actor Jeremy Holm, best known for his role in House of Cards.

This event is a benefit to the Henry Sheldon Museum and Town Hall Theater. Buy tickets at link in our bio!

03/04/2026

The submission deadline for Artists in the House 2026 is fast approaching! 🎨✨

Don’t miss your chance to share your work and be part of this exciting annual exhibition and fundraiser. We can’t wait to see what you’ve been creating!

Submit your work before it’s too late — link in bio.

Call for Art 🎨The Henry Sheldon Museum is now accepting submissions for our 2026 Artist in the House Exhibition & Fundra...
02/25/2026

Call for Art 🎨
The Henry Sheldon Museum is now accepting submissions for our 2026 Artist in the House Exhibition & Fundraiser!
Inspired by our upcoming exhibits Uncovering Wallpaper Design and Timekeeping, we’re seeking works that explore themes of time and design.

For details and submissions: see 🔗 in bio.
www.henrysheldonmuseum.org/events/artists-in-the-house-fundraiser

Basket Weaving Workshop! Join .country Alexa Rene’ Rivera on Sunday, March 8 at the Henry Sheldon Museum for a basket ma...
02/10/2026

Basket Weaving Workshop!

Join .country Alexa Rene’ Rivera on Sunday, March 8 at the Henry Sheldon Museum for a basket making intensive. See all details and information to register at the link in our bio. Scholarships available.

02/04/2026

From the

Thanks to the Addison County Independent for sharing our community Tempestry project! And big thanks to all the knitters...
02/02/2026

Thanks to the Addison County Independent for sharing our community Tempestry project! And big thanks to all the knitters knitting a year of climate data and the Middlebury Studio School for sharing their dye studio! Once all the years come back to the Museum, we will invite community members to come stitch the Tempestry together. Stay tuned!

Tempestry to evoke climate change in county Jan 29, 2026 | News News Tempestry to evoke climate change in county COCO MOSELEY, EXECUTIVE director of the Middlebury’s Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, displays some of the dyed wool that will soon be knitted into a “tempestry” that will s...

01/28/2026

Call for Art 🎨
The Henry Sheldon Museum is now accepting submissions for our 2026 Artist in the House Exhibition & Fundraiser!
Inspired by our upcoming exhibits Uncovering Wallpaper Design and Timekeeping, we’re seeking works that explore themes of time and design.

For details and submissions: see 🔗 in bio.
www.henrysheldonmuseum.org/events/artists-in-the-house-fundraiser

01/28/2026

Call for Art 🎨
The Henry Sheldon Museum is now accepting submissions for our 2026 Artist in the House Exhibition & Fundraiser!
Inspired by our upcoming exhibits Uncovering Wallpaper Design and Timekeeping, we’re seeking works that explore themes of time and design.

For details and submissions: https://www.henrysheldonmuseum.org/events/artists-in-the-house-fundraiser

Winter Blues? Join the tempestry project! 🔗 link in bio. The first round of kits (yarn + pattern) will go out this week....
01/10/2026

Winter Blues? Join the tempestry project! 🔗 link in bio.

The first round of kits (yarn + pattern) will go out this week. Don’t worry if you’ve signed up and don’t hear from us, more kits will be ready for pick up soon! The local Addison County wool is hand dyed in small batches and we just finished the blues/cold years this week.

This community knitted climate data, also known as a “tempestry”, will be on exhibit at the Sheldon for the 2026/2027 season.

Address

1 Park Street
Middlebury, VT
05753

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18023882117

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