Shelburne Museum showcases diverse and unconventional art

Shelburne Museum is located in the scenic Lake Champlain valley in Vermont. The museum showcases the finest, most diverse and unconventional art and Americana in the nation. There are over 150,000 works exhibited in 39 buildings, 25 of these are historic buildings that were relocated to the grounds of the museum.

Works of art at the museum include impressionist painting, folk art, quilts, decorative arts, furniture, American paintings and artifacts from the 17th to 20th century. The museum was founded in 1947 by Electra Havemeyer Webb who was a pioneering collector of American Folk Art with an independent eye and passion for art.

The museum is able to host events and meetings in their eclectic, historic buildings. The museum is able to host up to 250 guests.

Travelling exhibits have included Constructed Landscapes by Ansel Adams and Edward Burtynsky, these works are photographs of the American wilderness. Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by piece is a tribute to victims of Alzheimer's. Circus Day in America celebrates the American circus from 1870-1950.

Permanent exhibits include American Paintings from the 19th and 20th century, Impressionist Paintings by artists such as Money, Degas and Cassatt, Folk Art, Historic Houses from 1790 to 1950, Decorative Arts such as glass, pewter, ceramics and food molds. Steamboat Ticonderoga is a 1906 passenger steamboat, which is also a National Historic Landmark, Quilts, Hooked Rugs and Textiles include over 400 quilts and 300 hooked rugs, Decoys of wildflower and fish from the 19th and 20th century. A 225 horse-drawn carriage, wagons and sleighs from the 19th century, tools used for woodworking, blacksmithing and harness making tools and Toys, Dolls, Dollhouses and Automata, which has over 400 unique dolls on display.

The Buildings at the museum include the 1950 House, which is a vignette of a young families home, Beach Gallery and Beach Lodge features big game trophies, the Blacksmith shop is an early 19th century shop with demonstrations held daily. The Circus Building and Carousel includes a hand-carved miniature circus parade, the Covered Bridge is a rare two-lane span with footpath. Dorset House has world-renowned wildlife and fish decoys. Dutton House is a historic house from the 1820s. Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building includes Impressionist paintings and six rooms from Ms. Havemeyer's New York Home.

A general store is also located within the museum that includes a barber, tap room, doctor, dentist and doctor's office. Other buildings include the 19th Century jail, lighthouse and meeting house.

Grounds and Gardens include the Circus Building Day Lily Garden, J. Watson Webb Jr. Memorial Peony Garden, Alyssa's Garden with perennials, a playground and 19th century games. Bostwick Memorial Garden is designed to evoke a painter's color palette, The Pauline Cropper Mallory Heritage Garden at Dutton House, Hat and Fragrance Garden and Lilacs.

Demonstrations held at the museum include weaving, letterpress printing and blacksmith demonstrations along with walking tours of specific exhibits and talks on subjects included at the museum. Families visiting the museum should visit Owl Cottage Family Activity Center, which is a craft and activity center for children and their families, these activities include a reading area, workroom, play area, games, puzzles and a costume area.