Afford your child the best chance to learn by taking field trips to different locations that encourage learning and curiosity. The locations listed below are wonderful tools in reinforcing the ideas taught in the classroom while having fun!

The Underwater Preserves in Lake Champlain contain a number of ship wrecks that have been designated protected areas of historic and recreational interest to divers and the public. Open preserves are identified by special yellow buoys. Under the 1975 Vermont Historic Preservation Act, all underwater historic sites beneath State waters belong to the State of Vermont and are held in public trust by the Division for Historic Preservation. It is illegal to damage or remove any object from a wreck. Above water exhibits on the preserves can be seen at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and at the Shelburne Museum.

Address: Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, National Life Building Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05520

Phone: 802-828-3051

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Web: www.historicvermont.org

 

The Canaan Historical Society has developed a local heritage museum on the 2nd floor of the library. The Greek Revival structure was built in 1846 as a stage stop on the route from Franklin, NH, to Montreal. Local legend is that the house was the last stop on the Connecticut Valley route of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, but no proof has been established.

 

Address: 27 Park St., Canaan, VT 05903

Phone: 802-266-7135

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The Bennington Museum preserves and interprets the history of a distinct region of America. The largest, oldest and most active cultural institution in southern Vermont, the museum presents exhibitions and programs that document the early history of Vermont and associated areas of Massachusetts and New York. The award-winning museum houses distinguished collections of furniture, decorative and fine art, and military materials. It holds the largest public collection of paintings by the renowned self-taught artist Grandma Moses and the largest public collection of Bennington Pottery. It is also home to a vintage luxury Wasp car, one of only two left that were produced in Vermont The museum has an active genealogy and local history library and it is the home of the Bennington Historical Society.

 

Address: West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201

Phone: 802-442-8305

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Web: www.benningtonmuseum.org

 

The Museum is dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of birds. There are more than 450 biologically accurate carvings of over 250 species, including Vermont’s nesting birds in natural habitat displays with actual nests and wooden eggs. There is a small gallery of extinct and endangered birds of North America, a display of raptors, and a wetland diorama. All the carvings are done by Bob Spear, one of Vermont’s leading naturalists. Live birds at the many feeders in the garden can be viewed through a one-way window. There are also several nature trails to the pond and butterfly garden, as well as into the woods. Activities include an annual International Migratory Bird Day in May, birding field trips, and carving camps.

 

Address: 900 Sherman Hollow Rd, Huntington, VT 05462

Phone: 802-434-2167

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Web: www.birdsofvermont.org

 

Located in the renovated 1915 Union Railroad Station, the museum presents a schedule of art-of-our-times exhibitions, lectures, performing arts events, and school programs, with a gift shop and public garden on site. Annual theme guides all exhibits and programs.

 

Address: 10 Vernon St, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Phone: 802-257-0124

Web: www.brattleboromuseum.org

 

Many hundreds of puppets and masks, ranging in size from miniature cut-outs to towering giants, arranged in groupings by size, colors, and themes, often reenacting past Bread and Puppet Theater productions, are housed on 2 floors of a 130-year old barn. Activities in July and Auguts include paper-mache workshops, woodcut printing, bread making, and outdoor performances in the summer on Sunday afternoon. Write to above address for more information after April 1. A variety of posters, books, and booklets are also available.

 

Address: Route 122, Glover, VT 05839

Phone: 802-525- 3031

 

A 43 year old Community Arts Center located in a majestic Victorian Mansion. We exhibit and sell the work of over 200 Vermont artists.

 

Address: 16 South Main St, Rutland, VT 05701

Phone: 802-775-0356

Fax: 802-773-4401

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  (Jim Boughton)

 

Opening November, 2004, showing contemporary two and three-dimensional work in an ongoing exhibition schedule from nationally established artists. Also includes retail mix of unique objects made by hand and manufactured, lectures, poetry readings and small musical performances in the 4,200 square foot gallery.

 

Address: 21 Essex Way, #101, Essex, VT 05452

Phone: 802-879-9220

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Website: www.viewenigma.com

 

The Fleming Museum is a cultural treasure prized by both Vermonters and visitors for more than 70 years. The Fleming Museum is located on the campus of the University of Vermont which, chartered in 1791, is one of the nation's oldest universities.

 

Comprising an extraordinary range of more than 20,000 works of art—paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, sculpture, and artifacts—the Fleming Museum's collection spans continents and centuries from ancient Mesopotamia to contemporary America.

 

Address: 61 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: 802-656-0750

Fax: 802-656-8059

Web: www.flemingmuseum.org

 

Founded in 1971 in Middlebury, a center was also opened in downtown Burlington in 1991 to display and market contemporary crafts by over 250 of Vermont’s finest craftspeople. An annual show highlights the work of recognized artists from around the country. There are demonstrations, lectures, and classes for people of all ages and skill levels.

 

Address: 85 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: 802-863-6458

Fax: 802-863-6506

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Web: www.froghollow.org

 

Located on the second floor of a restored 1863 Greek Revival building in the village of Stowe, Helen Day Art Center serves Northcentral Vermont with programming dedicated to the visual arts, education and film. Exhibits include traditional and avant-garde fine arts as well as historical, cultural and craft exhibitions by local, national and international artists. Activities include docent guided programs for school groups, hands-on areas for most exhibits as well as workshops, classes and demonstrations for adults and children.

 

Address: School Street, Stowe, VT 05672

Phone: 802-253-8358

Fax: 802-253-2703

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Web: www.helenday.com

The Museum was founded in 1882 by Henry Sheldon, who devoted several decades of his life to collecting an documenting thousands of objects and written and printed records depicting everyday life in the region from its settlement in the 1760s to the early 1900s. His omnivorous collecting and extensive recordkeeping resulted in a veritable Smithsonian Institution of Addison County history and life. Housed in an elegant 1829 building constructed by the founder of Vermont’s marble industry, the Museum tells the stories of the region’s industrial heyday, its prominence as the leading producer and exporter of Merino sheep, and the history of America’s first community history museum. Among the strengths of its collections are 18th and 19th-century Vermont-made furniture, portraits by Vermont itinerant artist Benjamin Mason Franklin, textiles and clothing, many one-of-a kind objects with anecdotal histories, and an exceptional archival collection and research center. The Cerf Gallery houses changing history and art exhibits. Year-round calendar of programs and events and Museum Shop.

 

Address: 1 Park St, Middlebury, VT 05753

Phone: 802-388-2117

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Web: www.henrysheldonmuseum.org

 

The center preserves and presents Vermont traditions though exhibits of folk art, videos, films, lectures, research, publications, and archives of the spoken word. There is an annual holiday showcase and sale of traditional crafts the second two weeks of December.

 

Address: 2 Court St, Middlebury, VT 05753

Phone: 802-388-4964

 

The gallery was founded by Thomas Waterman Wood, president of the National Academy of Design from 1891 to 1899. The collections include 550 paintings by Wood and his contemporaries, including Asher Durand, J. G. Brown, William Beard, and Frederick Church. Art of the 1920s and 1930s include works by Joseph Stella, Reginald Marsh, and Raphael Soyer. The gallery also hosts 8 temporary exhibits each year, and one gallery is devoted to exhibits of Vermont artists. Activities include an annual juried show, concerts, lectures, and art classes for adults and children.

 

Address: College Hall, Vermont College, Montpelier, VT 05602

Phone: 802-828-8743

 

Contemporary art gallery in Yester House, a Georgian Colonial mansion on the National Historic Register. The newly constructed, Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum, designed by world-renowned architect, Hugh Newell Jacobsen, houses a permanent collection of over 700 19th-20th century works, plus special traveling exhibition. The Center is set on 407 acres at the base of Mt. Equinox, and includes the Arkell Pavilion of Performing Arts, an outdoor sculpture garden, the Boswell Botany Trail, and summer Garden Café. Activities include art classes, workshops, classical and jazz concerts, dance, film festival, art exhibitions, and international art tours.

 

Address: West Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Phone: 802-362-1405

Fax: 802-362-3274

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Web: www.svac.org

 

Shelburne Museum presents a rich and diverse “collection of collections” highlighting objects and buildings that reflect everyday life in 19th-century New England. There are 37 exhibition buildings, including 20 historic structures, a museum store, cafeteria, and operating carrousel for children. Collections include American folk art, crafts, fine art and decorative art; European painting, sculpture, and decorative art; tools; over 140 horse-drawn vehicles; circus figures; quilts; and decoys. Activities include seasonal programs during harvest season and Christmas, school tours, daily hands-on activities during the summer, woodworking demonstrations, thematic walking tours, and a family activity center.

 

Address: US Route 7, Shelburne, VT 05482

Phone: 802-985-3346

Fax: 802-985-2331

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Web: www.shelburnemuseum.org

 

The 35-room Victorian mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1863-65, it is one of the earliest Second Empire residences in the country. It now contains original 19th-century furniture, decorative arts, costumes, paintings, books, material about the Park and McCullough families, and carriages in the carriage barn. There are formal gardens, a playhouse, gift shop, guided tours, concerts, and special events.

 

Address: 1 Park St, North Bennington, VT 05257

Phone: 802-442-5441

Fax: 802-442-5442

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Web: www.parkmccullough.org

 

The museum is one of several components of the Middlebury College Center for the Arts. Its collection of several thousand objects ranges from antiquities through contemporary art and includes distinguished collections of Asian art, photography, nineteenth-century European and American sculpture, and contemporary prints. Works from the permanent collection and special loan exhibitions are on display throughout the year, and the Museum also sponsors lectures, gallery talks, films, school programs, and family workshops.

 

Address: Middleburg College, Middlebury, VT 05753

Phone: 802-443-5007

Fax: 802-443-2069

Web: www.middlebury.edu/~museum

Fairbanks Museum and Panetarium
Natural science museum in landmark Victorian building.

Address: Main and Prospect Streets, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
Phone: (802) 748-2372

Web: http://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/

 

Lake Champlain Basin Science Center
Discover Vermont's premier lake aquarium and science center on Burlington's Waterfront.

Address: One College Street, Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 864-1848

Web: http://www.echovermont.org/

 

Montshire Museum of Science
A hands-on Museum located in Norwich, Vermont, offering dozens of exciting exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology.

Address: Montshire Road, P.O. Box 770, Norwich, VT 05055
Phone: (802) 649-2200
Web: http://www.montshire.net/