Three new exhibits for the Vermont History Museum
The Vermont Historical Society is pleased to announce a trio of new exhibits that are now open to the public at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier: Oren W. Hills, Photographer, Francis Colburn: From the Collection of the Vermont Historical Society, and Rockingham’s Acropolis.
Oren W. Hills, Photographer features 32 recently-uncovered photographs by Montpelier photographer Oren W. Hills in VHS’s photography collection. Born in Montpelier in 1891, Hills began his career as a photographer, taking photographs for gazetteers and yearbooks before expanding his services to portraits. His body of work included studio photography, crime scene documentation, newspaper assignments, promotional photos, and more. When the United States entered the First World War, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as an aerial photographer. When he died in 1975, he left most of his work to the Vermont Historical Society.
The photographs on display for this exhibit were reproduced from the original glass plate negatives and date to the earliest part of his career, and showcase the locations and people who lived in Vermont a century ago. VHS has digitized a collection of photographs from Hills’ portfolio, which you can find on our online database, Digital Vermont.
Francis Colburn: From the Collection of the Vermont Historical Society is an overview of the work of one of Vermont’s noted artists. Born in Fairfax, Colburn graduated from UVM in 1934 and earned acclaim for his artwork in the years that followed. After returning to Vermont, he was appointed Resident Artist at UVM and became a professor and chair of the Art Department.
His work was displayed at institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, with dedicated shows at Dartmouth, Smith, and Williams Colleges, and at the University of Vermont. This exhibit showcases the breadth of Colburn’s career as an artist and showcases a pair of recent paintings that VHS recently acquired at auction. The exhibit will feature four portraits and a pair of record covers created by Colburn.
Both exhibits will be on display until the end of June 2025.
The third exhibit is Rockingham’s Acropolis, on display in the Vermont History Museum’s Local History Gallery, is and curated by the Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission. Perched on a hill with an aura of timeless dignity, the Rockingham Meeting House has drawn travelers and locals alike since its timber frame was raised in 1787. This revered building has witnessed nearly 250 years of life in Vermont where people come together to celebrate, worship, and govern. This exhibit interprets the social and cultural contexts of the meeting house featuring artifacts and elements that bring its rich history to life.
This exhibit will remain on display through July 2025, and we'll be hosting an exhibit reception on Saturday, March 22nd.
