Rutland County - Museum Directory

Strawberry Festival, Middletown Springs Historical Society

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.

Benson Museum

Town Office Building, Stage Road, Benson, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 218, Benson, VT 05731
Phone: (802) 537-2371
Contact: Fran Bowen, Curator

Hours and Admission: May - October: Wednesday, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, or by appointment.

Brandon Museum

Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace, 4 Grove St, Brandon, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 246, Brandon, VT 05733
Phone: (802) 247-2844

The Museum features Brandon History including industry, business, architecture, tourism, and immigration. See hundreds of old Brandon photos, as well as stories reflecting the lives and thoughts of some of Brandon’s earliest residents, and items manufactured in Brandon.

Hours and Admission: Memorial Day through Columbus Day: Thursday & Friday 11am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 1:30 to 4 pm. Free admission.

Castleton Historical Society

407 and 566 Main Street, Castleton, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 219, Castleton, VT 05735
Phone: (802) 273-3923
Contact: MaryAnn Feeney, Treasurer

It is the purpose of Castleton Historical Society to discover, collect, preserve, and exhibit artifacts, papers, and other materials that relate to or that illustrate the historical development of Castleton, Vermont.

Hours and Admission: Saturday mornings between Memorial Day and Labor Day; and by appointment.

Chittenden Historical Society

Town Hall, 337 Holden Road, Chittenden, VT
Mailing Address: 260 Chittenden Rd, Chittenden, VT 05737
Contact: Molly Pratt, Secretary

The society's records are at the town hall. See website for hours. 

Fair Haven Historical Society

3 North Park Place, Fair Haven, VT
Mailing Address: 3 North Park Place, Fair Haven, VT 05743
Phone: (802) 265-3010 ext. 8
Contact: Ann Ellis, Secretary

Fair Haven Historical Society works not only to preserve our history but to actively record current events for future use. We are dedicated to educating members of our community on Fair Haven's rich history in the Slate Valley of Vermont. 

Hours and Admission: By appointment only. Please call and leave a message.

Historical Society of Clarendon, VT

Town Hall, Clarendon, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 30, Clarendon, VT 05759
Phone: 802-438-4990
Contact: Robert Underhill, President, bunderhill53@gmail.com

The Society began operations in 2017 and has been focused on documenting and preserving all aspects of Clarendon history with particular focus on ordinary people, places, and events that would otherwise be lost to history rather than on that which can be readily found in many places elsewhere on the internet. We do not yet have a physical home of our own and instead make our collections available via our website.  Physical items in our collections and materials not yet on our website can be seen by appt.  

Hubbardton Historical Society

Monument Hill Schoolhouse, 5568 Monument Hill Road, Hubbardton, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 383, Castleton, VT 05735
Phone: (802) 273-2242
Contact: Grace Calvin, President, (802) 273-2242

The Hubbardton Historical Society was organized in 2000. The society's headquarters are located next to the Hubbardton Battlefield. We have begun collecting items for a museum. Our major activities include working with the State of Vermont for Historic Site Preservation and the Living History Association during the re-enactment of the Battle of Hubbardton. Other activities include a monthly newsletter, education, genealogy, and local history research. Visitors by appointment.

Ira Historical Society

Phone: (802) 235-2279
Contact: Lew Hoffman, Vice President

Newly formed in 2016, the Society does not yet have a physical address or collections.

Mendon Historical Society

Town Clerk's Office, 2282 US Route 4, Mendon, VT
Mailing Address: 2282 US Route 4, Mendon, VT 05701
Phone: (802) 775-1662
Contact: Michel Scott-Susina, President

Formed in the summer of 1999, the society has completed many projects over the years. The most recent includes erection of a commemorative kiosk detailing the history and providing current information about Mendon. The kisok is on the site of the original Town Hall. The society has commissioned a marble bench from the Vermont Carving Studio to be installed near the kiosk. A local artisan was engaged to create pierced steel plaques to mark each of the six known cemeteries in Mendon, and they were installed by society members. A wall of photos has been hung in the town office, commemorating Hurricane Irene. Efforts to organize artifacts and photos from the past and present continue.

Hours & Admission: Visitors by appointment.

Middletown Springs Historical Society

Museum, On The Green, Middletown Springs, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 1121, Middletown Springs, VT 05757
Phone: (802) 235-2376
Contact: David Wright, President

The society was formed in 1969 to create the Mineral Springs Park and to restore its ornate springhouse. It has also preserved the Adams House (c. 1800) and the Elisha Leffingwell tin shop. Activities include genealogy and local history research, Maple Festival, Strawberry Festival, Museum Open House and Lecture, and other special days. Collections relate to the Montvert Hotel mineral springs resort, A.W. Gray Horsepower Factory, local organizations and families.

Hours and Admission: Memorial Day to end of October: Sunday, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, or by appointment.  Mineral Springs Park open year round.  Free.

Mount Holly Historical Society

Mount Holly Community Historical Museum, Tarbellville Road, Belmont, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 17, Belmont, VT 05730
Phone: (802) 259-2460
Contact: Dennis Devereux, Board of Directors Chair

The Mount Holly Community Historical Museum is working hard on restoring an 1858 house and barn where its expanded collection of local artifacts, including a mammoth tooth and tusk, will be displayed. Sunday programs take place every week from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Hours and Admission: July 4 - October 10: Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Mount Tabor/Danby Historical Society

S.L. Griffith Library, 74 South Main St, Danby, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 238, Danby, VT 05739
Phone: (802) 293-5160
Contact: Bradley Bender, President

Visitors by appointment.

Pawlett Historical Society

North Pawlet School, VT Route 30, North Pawlet, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 113, Pawlet, VT 05761
Phone: (802) 645-9529 or (802) 325-2406
Contact: Rose Smith, President

The society's collections are located in the North Pawlet School, and comprise photographs and post cards, some textiles, and other artifacts pertaining to the Town of Pawlet, its people, businesses, recreation, music, family histories, etc. Visitors by appointment.

Pittsfield Historical Society

Basement Meeting Room- Town Library/Town Clerk's Building, Pittsfield, VT
Contact: Susie Martin

Collections in storage- maps and photos. Historical site marker.

Hours and Admission: April - November: first and third Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, or by appointment.

Pittsford Historical Society

Eaton Hall, 3399 US Route 7, Pittsford, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 423, Pittsford, VT 05763
Phone: 802-486-2040
Contact: Anne Pelkey, Curator

The society is located in the historic 1887 Eaton Hall Museum. Collections include five Granger Stoves made at The Furnace in Pittsford, displays on Pittsford's first settlers, and extensive genealogical records. 

Hours and Admission
April-mid November: Tuesday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Poultney Historical Society

Union Academy, Melodeon Factory, and 1896 Schoolhouse On the Green, East Poultney, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 605, East Poultney, VT 05764
Phone: (802) 287-5252
Contact: Krista Rupe, President

The Society has restored its three buildings as museums: the 1791 Union Academy is a living history one-room schoolhouse; the 1854 Melodeon Factory recently went through major renovations to become once again a blacksmith shop and melodeon factory; and the 1896 Schoolhouse houses the Society's main collections, its genealogical research library, and its offices. The society now offers its award-winning Poultney Audio Walking and Driving Tours free to download at www.poultneyhistoricalsociety.org

Hours and Admission: June-September, Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and by appointment. Not yet accessible to the disabled.

Poultney Museum of History & Art

168 York St, Poultney, VT
Mailing Address: 168 York St, Poultney, VT 05764
Phone: 802-884-8269
Contact: Rebecca Ruby, Secretary

Collection, preservation, and promotion of history and art of the Americas   Welsh history and art throughout the world through the Welsh-American Genealogical Society.

Hours & Admission:  Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, see website for admissions info.                                               

Proctor Historical Society

Proctor Free Library, 4 Main Street, Proctor, VT
Mailing Address: Proctor Free Library, 4 Main Street, Proctor, VT 05765
Contact: Nancy Kennedy, (802) 459-2291

The society has files of photographs, documents and written works, marble, family information, books on town history and Vermont history, and some artifacts.

Hours and Admission: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 - 11:00 am, 2:00 - 8:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am - noon, 1:00 - 5:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am - noon 

Rutland Historical Society

Nickwackett Firehouse, 96 Center Street, Rutland, VT
Mailing Address: 96 Center Street, Rutland, VT 05701
Phone: (802) 775-2006

The society is located in the former Nickwackett Firehouse, built in 1860. Collections focus mainly on the local history of Rutland as it wwas chartered and includes the towns of Proctor, West Rutland, and the City of Rutland. Our collections include costumes, manuscripts, documents, books, and photographs. We are also expanding our website and finding aids with many of our historical, genealogical, and informational collections.

Hours and Admission: Saturday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm and by appointment. Free. Displays are accessible. Please email with all concerns or requests ahead of time.

Sherburne Historians

Sherburne Memorial Library, 2998 River Road, Killington, VT
Mailing Address: 1879 River Road, Killington, VT 05751
Phone: (802) 422-3783
Contact: Margaret Mowle, President

The society has pictures, artifacts, and local history on display.

Hours and Admission: Monday & Friday, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm; Wednesday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm 

Shrewsbury Historical Society

Museum, 5419 VT Route 103, Cuttingsville, VT
Mailing Address: 5419 VT Route 103, Cuttingsville, VT 05738
Contact: Ruth Winkler at (802) 492-3324, ruthcon1@vermontel.net

The museum is located in the former Cuttingsville Church, originally built in 1842, and later renovated and rededicated in 1891. The historical society displays 19th-century household items and furniture, costumes, photographs, books, diaries, toys, and other town memorabilia. The collection also includes video and audio tapes of townspeople and special events, and current Shrewsbury history in scrapbook form.

Hours and Admission: July - October: Sundays, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, or by appointment. Free. Wheelchair accessible with parking

Sudbury Historical Society

Town Clerk's Office, Sudbury, VT
Mailing Address: 36 Blacksmith Lane, Sudbury, VT 05733
Phone: (802) 623-7296
Contact: Steve Sgorbati, Town Clerk

Information is in the archives at the town clerk's office. Visitors by appointment.

Tinmouth Historical & Genealogical Society

Town Office, 9 Mtn View Road, Tinmouth, Vt
Mailing Address: 515 North End Road, Tinmouth, VT 05773
Phone: (802) 446-2498
Contact: Gail Fallar, secretary

Hours and Admission: Town Clerk's hours: Monday and Thursday, 8:00 am - noon and 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Wallingford Historical Society

Town Hall, 75 School Street, Wallingford, VT
Mailing Address: 75 School Street, Wallingford, VT 05773
Phone: (802) 446-2614
Contact: Joyce Barbieri

The museum is located on the second floor of the town hall. The collection consists of costume accessories, clothing, photographs, furniture, and other town memorabilia. Genealogical records are also available.

Hours and Admission: Open during town office hours and by appointment. Free. Accessible to the disabled.

Wells Historical Society

Wells Town Offices, Wells, VT
Mailing Address: 34 Capron Lane, Wells, VT 05774
Phone: (802) 645-0200
Contact: Joe Capron, President

There is no established museum. The society's collection consists of local photographs, postcards and antique artifacts, and resides in the Wells Town Offices at this time. Visitors by appointment.

West Haven Historical Society

Museum, Main Road and Book Road (center of town), West Haven, VT
Mailing Address: 2919 Main Road, West Haven, VT 05743
Phone: (802) 265-4880 or (802) 265-2177
Contact: Tad Mandel, Vice President

Our collection of town reports, photographs, memories, and memorbilia will be housed in the Center School once restoration has been completed. We meet the 1st Monday of every month at 7:30 pm. New members welcome. Visitors by appointment.

West Rutland Historical Society

Town Hall, 35 Marble Street, West Rutland, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 385, West Rutland, VT 05777
Contact: Peter Kulig, President

Visitors by appointment.

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