MIDDLEBURY—The Sheldon Museum is bursting with creativity and excitement this holiday season. Don’t miss the amazing operating train layout, miniature Christmas tree display, and two holiday exhibits. “Ho Ho Historical Holidays to You” is curated by the Sheldon’s archivist Eva Garcelon-Hart and Sheldon trustee and archives volunteer, Lucinda Cockrell, featuring classic Christmas images, antiques postcards, seasonal cards, written holiday memories, and toys from the Sheldon’s collections. “Over-the-Top Holiday,” a glittering holiday display created by Sheldon trustees – and led by Warren Kimble, Liz Markowski, Danielle Rougeau, and Deborah Foster – includes numerous lighted trees, tinsel, silver balls, antique sleds and skates, traditional Santas, and traditional red and green paper chains. This year the Middlebury Garden Club has added a festive touch throughout the Museum with lots of vibrantly adorned ornaments and tinsel.
In what has become an annual holiday tradition in Middlebury, the elaborate Lionel train layout is sure to delight all ages. The assemblage stands three levels high, with tracks running Lionel O gauge trains, Lionel 027 gauge trains, and an upper track running HO trains. New this year is an entire remake of the mountain including a gondola ski lift, skiers, snowboarders, rock climbers, and tunnels through the mountain to show off the HO train. The backdrop of the Green Mountains painted by local artist Gayl Braisted adds atmosphere. Last year Gabe the Lamplighter was added to the display. The train layout is made possible by a team of volunteer engineers who operate the trains Dec. 2-Jan. 12.
Also on view are 19 colorful, one-of-a-kind miniature Christmas Trees decorated by local artists, to be raffled in support of the Museum’s children’s activities. The raffle drawing is on Friday, Dec. 21.
The Henry Sheldon Museum is located at One Park St., Middlebury. Holiday hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9, 16, and 23 from 12-4 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for ages 6-18; $4.50 for seniors; and $12 for a family. For information, visit henrysheldonmuseum.org.
