Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium

The Fairbanks Museum is a science museum in St. Johnsbury housed in a distinctive red sandstone building that contains roughly 175,000 objects from natural history, geoscience, ethnology, engineering, meteorology, and astronomy. The collection spans multiple departments organized across the building's interior.

The museum was founded in 1890 by Franklin Fairbanks as a personal collection that gradually grew into a major scientific and educational institution. This transition from private collector to public museum shaped its development in the late 1800s.

The Eye on the Sky Weather Center has produced daily forecasts for Vermont and New Hampshire through radio and newspaper broadcasts since 1893. This service remains deeply tied to the local community and shows how the institution serves a practical purpose beyond displaying collections.

The building is accessible to visitors and allows for several hours of exploring its different departments and exhibits. Plan to spend enough time to see both the main galleries and visit the planetarium during your stay.

The museum features extensive insect art displays and taxidermy dioramas that showcase life in its natural settings. The planetarium is Vermont's only public facility of its kind and offers visitors a chance to explore the night sky.

Location: St. Johnsbury

Address: 1302 Main St, St Johnsbury, VT 05819

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-17:00

Phone: +18027482372

Website: https://fairbanksmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 44.42008,-72.01974

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01