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© The Mountain Times 2007
Art Galleries & Museums
The magnetic pull of Vermont is a strong one. The Vermont mystique has lured many a visitor or vacationer into its fold, some even permanently. The state has continuously attracted gifted artists and writers as well as tourists.
At the beginning of this century, Rudyard Kipling made Dummerston his home. Around the '30s and '40s, New York Herald Tribune drama critic Alexander Woollcott bought Neshobe, an island in Lake Bomoseen, where he entertained many notable Hollywood stars such as Laurence Olivier, Harry Houdini and the Marks Brothers. More recently, Michael J. Fox settled in the Woodstock area. Television producer Norman Lear lives in Shaftsbury, the town poet Robert Frost called home for many years. Arlington's inhabitants gained fame when illustrator Norman Rockwell had them model for a Saturday Evening Post cover.
There has continuously been a deep-seated love of the arts and the finer things in life here in the Green Mountains. This is possibly an extension of the Vermonters' love and appreciation of the scenic beauty of the Vermont outdoors and the calming sounds of country life.
Roaming the crossroads of Vermont, the visitor may enjoy fine art, history, and memorabilia at many museums and galleries throughout the region, including:
Museums and Exhibits
• Billings Farm and Museum, Route 12, Woodstock, (802) 457-2355. The Billings Farm & Museum is keeping alive the spirit and values of Vermont's rural past. The farm dates back to 1871, when native Vermonter, Frederick Billings, set out to build a farm and forestry operation that would serve future generations as a model of wise stewardship. His farm flourished, and today, is still a first-class working farm, operating with a museum of Vermont's rural heritage. The Billings Farm & Museum is an operating partner of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and the Woodstock Inn & Resort. www.billingsfarm.org
• Castleton Historical Society Museum, Main St., Castleton, (802) 468-5523. 19th and 20th century furnishings, paintings, costumes, documents, photographs, and military memorabilia. The Museum is open Saturday mornings year round, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Sundays from Memorial Day through mid-October from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• East Poultney Museums, (802) 287-5268. Three museums documenting early New England settlements. Melodeon Factory, Union Academy and The Old School House. Open Sundays 1-4:30 p.m. during the summer or by appointment. School groups encouraged.
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, (802) 457-3368. Daily 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Spring through October 31. The only National Park to focus on conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America. Opened in June 1998, Vermont’s first National Park preserves and interprets the historic Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller property. The park was created in 1992, when the Rockefellers gifted the estate’s residential and forest lands to the people of the United States. Today, the Park interprets the history of conservation with tours of the mansion and the surrounding 550-acre forest. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion and gardens are by guided tour only. Admission. www.nps.gov/mabi/
• Middletown Springs Historical Museum, (802) 235-2376. Collections relate to the Montvert Hotel mineral springs resort, A.W. Gray Horsepower Factory, local organizations and families. Open Sunday 2 - 4 p.m. Memorial Day to Late October. Middletown Springs, VT.
• Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, (802) 649-2200. Natural, physical sciences, ecology, technology. Science park and walking trails on site. Hands on fun for and learning for all ages. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Admission. www.montshire.org.
• Mount Independence State Historic Site, Orwell, (802) 948-2000. Visitor Center and museum open 7 days Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Revolutionary War fortification, new Interpretation Center, historic hiking and walking trails. During off season, call (802) 759-2412.
• New England Maple Museum, Rt. 7, Pittsford, (802) 483-9414. Exhibits and history of maple sugaring. Live demonstrations, sample syrup, gift shop. Open 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. May 19 to October 31, and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. mid-March to May 18, and Nov. 1 to December 31. www.maplemuseum.com.
• Norman Rockwell Museum, Rt. 4E, Rutland, (802) 773-6095. Over 2000 pictures covering the span & diversity of his career. Audio/visual self-guided tour. Gift shop. Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission. www.normanrockwellvt.com
• Pittsford Historical Society Exhibit, Eaton Hall, Rt. 7, Pittsford. Hours Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., March - November; Sundays, 1 - 4 p.m., July - October. (802) 483-2040.
• President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth Notch, (802) 672-3773. Hours 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Memorial weekend to Columbus Day.
• Rutland Historical Society, 96 Center St., Rutland, (802) 775-2006. Year-round, Mondays, 6 - 9 p.m., Saturdays, 1 - 4 p.m., and by appointment for schools or other groups.
• Sherburne Historians, Sherburne Memorial Library, River Rd., Killington, (802) 422-3783. Pictures, artifacts and local history on display. Monday & Friday, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm; Wednesday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
• The Slate Valley Museum, Water Street, Granville, NY, (518) 642-1417. Interprets the industrial and cultural heritage of the Slate Valley of western Vermont and eastern New York. Exhibitions, self-guided tours, special events and guided tours, and a shop featuring books, local crafts and unique gift items made of slate. www.slatevalleymuseum.org
• Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), Rt. 4, Quechee, (802) 457-2779. Home of the Vermont Raptor Center, a living museum of over 20 species of birds of prey. Daily on-site programs June through October; nature trails; nature shop. www.vinsweb.org.
• Vermont Marble Museum, Proctor, (802) 459-2300. Learn the history of the marble industry in Vermont. See geological principles brought to life in ‘Earth Alive,’ the new geology room. Try your hand at carving with the artist-in-residence sculptor. Custom marble work. Marble market. Gift shop. Theater. Open daily 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. mid-May to late October. 800-427-1396, www.vermont-marble.com
• Wallingford Historical Society Museum, Town Hall, School St., Wallingford, (802) 446-2831. Permanent collection of costumes, photographs, and memorabilia.
Artist Galleries and Studios
• 16th Vermont Craft Open Studio Weekend, scheduled for Memorial weekend, May 26 & 27, in which Vermont artisans and craftspeople invite the public to visit them at work in their studios. Over 300 artisans participated in 2006 and included glass blowers, printmakers, potters, furniture makers, weavers, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, paper makers and wood carvers. Sponsored by the Vermont Crafts Council. Obtain the Vermont Studio Tour Map, containing directions to participants’ studios, by calling 1-800-VERMONT; visit www.vermontcrafts.com or www.vermontvacation.com on the web.
• Ann McFarren Gallery, 56 Terrill St., Rutland. (802) 773-2197. Original Vermont scenes, oil and watercolors.
• Brandon Artists Guild, 7 Center St. Brandon (802) 247-4956. The Gallery has 36 talented local artists displaying their works of art. The Guild is non-profit and offers programs and workshops to adults and children. All are welcome to stroll through the gallery and enjoy the amazing local talent that is Brandon’s.
• Carving Studio, historic Marble St., West Rutland. (802) 438-2097. Studio and sculpture center. Stone and wood carving, sculpture, clay, and more. Workshops and classes in stone, wood, and granite carving, mold making, bronze casting, figure modeling, and more are offered during the summer months. Call for information and course dates. www.carvingstudio.org
• Center Street Artisans, 11 Center street, Rutland. (802) 774-1300. Unusual handcrafted furniture, home furnishings, accessories all made in the studios of our Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire owner artisans. Mon- Thurs. 10-6, Fri. 10-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. noon-4. www.centerstreetartisans.com
• Chaffee Center for the Visual Arts, 16 South Main St., Rutland. (802) 775-0356. High quality fine art and craft exhibitions each year are presented in this magnificent historical mansion. All work is for sale. Workshops, lectures, cultural events, and tours. Mon. - Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 12-4 pm. Closed Tues. www.chaffeeartcenter.org
• Country Owl Studio Gallery is open in downtown Brandon. Take a class, peruse artist Dolores Furnari’s work, or pick up art supplies. 8 Conant Square. (802) 247-3695.
• Farrow Gallery and Studios 835 Main Street, Castleton. (802) 468-5683. www.farrowgallery.com Visit the gallery and studio of nationally recognized Patrick Farrow. See original sculpture and wearable art by Mr. Farrow displayed in a spectacular century-old converted church located on Main Street in the historic village of Castleton. Open 10am-5pm (closed Tues.). Best to call ahead during winter.
• Gallery in-the-Field, a gallery of contemporary art, features changing exhibits. Hours are by chance or appointment .685 Arnold District Rd. (802) 247-0125. www.franbull.com
• Judith Reilly Gallery, featuring Judith’s fabric art, is open on Friday & Saturday afternoons at 24 Conant Square. Visit with Judy in her historic home and marvel at her quilts and pen and ink drawings. For more info, contact Judy by email at: judith@judithrielly.com or (802) 247-8421. www.judithreilly.com
• Liza Myers Gallery and Studio, 22 Center St., Brandon. (802) 247-5229, Unique and colorful images of the natural world. Original paintings, sculpture, prints, cards and whimsical Flying Menagerie clay ornaments. Classes for children and adults. Now selling original Warren Kimble paintings and his signed prints. www.lizamyers.com
• Maurie Harrington Studio, River Road., Killington. (802) 422-7756. Watercolors, prints, art lessons. www.maurieharrington.net
• Medana Gabbard Gallery is filled with Medana’s folk art paintings, set in yesteryear and capturing the quintessential charm of rural country life. It is located at 1340 Grove. St. (Rte. 7 North). Call (802) 247-5520 or email to: danagabbard@msn.com. for more finr. www.brandonfolkart.com
• MoonBrook and Night Owl Galleries, Howe Center, Rutland. (802) 775-5800. Tues. - Sat. 10am-3:30pm. Discover new artists each month. Peter Huntoon demonstrations.
Alice Sciori
• Mountain Gallery, Alice Sciore’s ‘in the field’ & studio paintings, prints, unique wood sculpture. Various mediums, sizes, prices. 1/4 mi. East of Skyeship, Killington. By chance or appointment. (802) 422-3642.
• Peter Huntoon, 17 Studio Lane, Middletown Springs. (802) 235-2328. Watercolor paintings and limited edition prints. www.peterhuntoon.com
• Poultney Area Artists Guild, Poultney. (802) 287-9149. A regional community-based organization composed of artists and the general public. Activities include museum trips, lectures, demos, drawing events, exhibits & regional shows.
• Shattuck Studio and Gallery, Rutland, (802) 775-6661. Award-winning printmaker, Carolyn Shattuck, incorporates monotypes with dry point and fiber dyes to create compelling works on paper. By appointment.
• Timco Gallery, 63 Center St., Rutland. (802) 773-3377. The Gallery is sponsored by Timco Jewelers and Goldsmiths, with profits from every sale going to support the arts in Rutland and local art programs. The gallery has over 40 artists displaying original works of art and photography. www.timcogallery.com
• Woodland Studio and Gallery, Scotch Hill Rd., Fair Haven. (802) 265-2129. One of a kind birdhouses by Tom Bruso. Landscapes, abstract paintings, floorcloths, and photography by Lucinda Sayre.
• White Raven Drum Works, Jct. Rt. 4 and 100A, Bridgewater, (802) 672-3055. Woodwork, fine crafted drums, flutes, didjeridoos, Vermont music, djembes. Open 10am - 5pm. www.whiteravendrums.com
All copy © The Mountain Times 2007