Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History

The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History is a history museum housed in an 1829 Federal-style house in downtown Middlebury that focuses on local and regional heritage. It displays Vermont furniture, paintings, household items, and historical documents spanning different time periods.

The museum was founded in 1882 by local businessman Henry Sheldon but closed after his death in 1907. Its reopening in 1930 came through community-driven efforts that showed how important preserving this history was to residents.

The collection shows how people lived and worked in Vermont through furniture and household items reflecting everyday life across different generations. Visitors see personal objects that tell the story of how families furnished their homes and managed their daily tasks.

The museum offers permanent and temporary exhibits accessible throughout the year alongside educational programs for visitors. Research facilities are also available to those wanting to dig deeper into specific aspects of Vermont and local history.

The collection of paper records makes Middlebury one of the most thoroughly documented communities in the United States. This wealth of written sources allows researchers and genealogists to trace an entire community's story across generations.

Location: Middlebury

GPS coordinates: 44.01255,-73.16998

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42