Windsor County - Museum Directory

Ingenuity in manufacturing technology: Past, Present, and Future. Our Mission: To capture the imaginations of young and old with the spirit of innovation, problem solving and design demonstrated through the dynamic story of the machines and people which form the foundation and future of the manufacturing industry in America. Housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, a National Historic Landmark, visitors explore the beginnings of modern industry and discover the machines that have shaped our world.

Hours and Admission: May-October: Open daily 10am-5pm. November-April: Weekdays 10am-4pm.

The Barnard Historical Society is housed in the former Village School, circa 1850, which is itself a museum, being essentially intact as a one-room school house. It has a complete genealogy section and many artifacts from Barnard.

Hours and Admission: Museum: Memorial Day - end of October: Saturday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment.  Donations always appreciated

The museum is located on the first floor of the town hall.  There are written records, paintings, photographs from the Bethel area, and 19th-century room vignettes. Special exhibits change annually. The society meets once a month, usually on the first Monday, at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room at the Town Hall.

Hours: Second and Fourth Saturday of each month, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Billings Farm & Museum is a scenic stroll from the village center of charming Woodstock, Vermont. This historic Jersey dairy farm and museum, which is open to the public, showcases Vemront's rural culture, past and present, through dynamic daily programming, seasonal and farm events, camps, workshops, and unique after-hours experiences.

Hours and Admission: 2023-24 Season Hours: Open daily 10am-4pm (April 3-May 26) with extended hours during Seasonal and Farm Events until 5pm. Open May 27-Oct 31, 10am-5pm. Open weekends and select days Nov-Feb, 10am-4pm.

The three-story Academy building, built in the Richardsonian style, once housed the Black River Academy (Calvin Coolidge's alma mater) and is now an historical museum for the town of Ludlow. There are academy memorabilia, 19th-century furnishings, costumes, tools, farm implements, a Finnish exhibit, and Coolidge memorabilia, as well as a textile school offering courses in weaving, spinning, and quilt making.

Hours and Admission: June - Columbus Day: Tuesday – Saturday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Winter by appointment. Not accessible to the disabled.

Our museum is located in a1803 brick schoolhouse that had a second story added in 1840 with a beautiful vaulted ceiling and bell tower. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, our building houses a growing archived collection of Bridgewater's historical past. Each year we have programs with speakers and permanent and revolving exhibits with free admission to all. The website contains listings of events, an extensive collection of photographs, and a database of the Bridgewater cemeteries. Our award-winning newsletter is published twice a year. BHS's motto "Keeping Our Past Present"

Hours and Admission: Open every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Memorial Day to Columbus Day

The museum is housed in the 19th-century former town hall. The society also owns a handsome stone structure, the former Universalist Church (circa 1844), which is used for meetings and special events. Collections are of farm tools, household utensils, costumes, weaving implements, textiles, photographs, and items used or made in Cavendish. The Cavendish Historical Society also has a blog where you can learn about upcoming events, new historical information we uncover, as well as following along with our Young Historian's program.

Hours and Admission: Late June to mid-October: Sundays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, or by appointment.

The society rents the former school building from the Town of Chester and displays collections of 19th-century household furnishings, quilts, costumes, agricultural machines, documents, photos and postcards, early typewriters, and memorabilia of Clarence Adams, Chester's "Gentleman Burglar" from 1886-1902. Also housed in the building are the Chester Alumni Museum and the Chester Art Guild. The society also owns the former Yosemite Firehouse in Chester Depot, where there is an evolving collection of 19th-century firefighting equipment, including an 1849 Hunneman Handpumper and hose and ladder wagons.

Hours and Admission: Memorial Day - Columbus Day: Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, or by appointment. Free. Not accessible to the disabled.

The Green Mountain Perkins Academy was built in 1848 and served as a private high school until 1898. Students came from the local area and as far away as the mid western United States and Nova Scotia. Many students went  on to college and others stayed in Woodstock and became teachers and farmers.  The local Grange was founded on the third floor of the Academy in 1874 and had meetings there into the 20th century. The building was restored in 1957 and is now open as a museum. The large classroom on the first floor has the original desks and wood stoves. The Academy contains a small library established in So. Woodstock in the late 18th century as well as school books from the time period. There are collections including 19th century georgraphy maps, a loom and weaving supplies, Windsor backed chairs, Grange paraphernalia, musical insturments, sheet music, photos and records pertaining to school Directors and students and more.

Hours and Admission: 
July - August: Saturday, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, or by appointment.

The society owns a turn-of-the-century house with Dr. Garipay's home office, as well as a growing collection of documents, artifacts, and photographs of Hartford's past.  There are four public lectures each year and various special events. A newsletter is published five times a year.

Hours and Admission: Fridays: 9:00 am- 12:00 pm or by appointment

The society has a collection of artifacts and a library devoted to the enjoyment and knowledge of Hartland's past.

Hours and Admission: Monday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm or by appointment. Free.

Local historical society with changing exhibitions and research materials

Hours and Admission: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 1:00-4:00 pm; Free

Hours and Admission: Sundays 2:00 to 4:00 pm, or by appointment.

Visitors by appointment.

The museum is located in a 19th-century church. Collections are of town records, church documents, clothing, furniture, tools, books, photographs, portraits, paintings, farm implements, 19th-century gadgets, and machines.

Visitors by appointment and programs in the summer.

The museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Rochester Library, in the center of the village opposite the park. Exhibits include farm tools, military items, clothing, verde antique marble, and paper trivia.

Visitors by appointment.

This local historical society is located in the 1840 Town House with exhibit rooms and collections. The society maintains the 1840 Town House, the 1844 Center Schoolhouse & privy, and the 1836 St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Articles in this society's collection relate to Royalton's history, artifacts, photographs, diaries, as well as manuscripts.

Visitors by appointment.

The society's collections include gifts from residents past and present.

Hours and Admission: July 9 - August 27: Sunday, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, or by appointment.

In July, 2015 we sold our Victorian Mansion on Elm Hill and moved to North Springfield (the Cota & Cota Building). We schedule programs on the third Saturday and change our displays quarterly. Visit our website for more information.

Hours and Admission: Saturdays 1:00-4:00 pm or by appointment. Admission is free.

Are you wishing to become actively involved in sleuth activities? We are a small group who will welcome your participation.
In 2019 we'll be researching the background of our early residents. From April to December, we meet on the third Thursday at 7PM at the Belcher Library.

Hours and Admission: Saturdays, Mid-June - Labor Day.

WWHS maintains an extensive set of historical records related to the West Parish of Windsor (in its early days) and the town of West Windsor. Located in the former Grange Hall, the ground floor is open for community use such as suppers and meetings. The handicapped-accessible upstairs contains the museum and historical records office.

Hours and Admission: Fridays, from 3 pm - 5 pm. Other hours may be available upon request.

The Society curates three museums, cornerstones of Weston's Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The Farrar-Mansur House, built by Oliver Farrar in 1795, served as a home, tavern and community center. Franklin Mansur became its owner in 1857 and it remained in the Mansur family until 1932, when in became a museum. Displayed in room settings, the collection includes many fine examples of early 19th century Vermont furniture and accessories, all sourced locally. The Mill Museum overlooks a picturesque mill pond and waterfall. Built in 1785 as a sawmill, it later served other functions and is now a grist mill. It contains an outstanding tool collection. The Craft Museum houses a Concord coach used by the Weston Cornet Band 1880-1930.

Hours and Admission: First weekend in July through Columbus day or by appointment., Farrar-Mansur Museum: Saturdays 1 - 4 PM., Mill Museum: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 - 4 PM, often earlier. There is no admission charge. Donations gleefully received.

Visitors by appointment.

The History Center, located in the heart of the village, celebrates the evolution of Woodstock over the past two hundred and fifty years. Visitors may tour the museum and view several new exhibitions each year. In addition to its museum, the History Center has an extensive library where researchers are welcome to view historical and genealogical information. For those who prefer the outdoors, the History Center has perennial gardens and a beautiful back lawn with a view of Woodstock Village's only covered bridge.

Hours and Admission:
June to October tours, Wednesday through Saturday, 1-4pm. Library open by appointment. There is no charge for admission.