Museum Reopens for the Year
Following our COVID enforced hiatus, the Sheldon Historical Society Museum at 200 Bridge Street Sheldon, VT reopened its door on Thursday June 9 at 10 AM. Our posted open hours include Thursdays 10 to 1 and Saturdays 1 to 4. Over the past two years members completed many tasks including an addition with a lift. You will be amazed at our progress and the quality of our historic displays and artifacts recently acquired. Stop by and see for yourself or visit us on Facebook or communicate through email: sheldonhistorical@gmail.com.
As you follow through this development you will witness the resurrection of an historic landmark linked securely to Sheldon’s past and exceedingly appropriate for our historical museum. This result required the Volunteer hours given by over 100 individuals along with a combination of funding from Grants and Gifts. Our grant application success exceeds our expectations. While we congratulate and recognize all who continue to contribute financial support, in order to complete this task we require even more funds and more volunteer time. What will you do to help?
Follow Us Through Our Development
Originally the W. C. Marsh Store stood on this site and burned down in the fire of 1932 which also destroyed adjacent buildings and the unique two lane covered bridge.
The foundation remained and the current building occupies that site. The foundation remains with improvements.
At the Sheldon Town Meeting in March 2016 the town residents voted to approve the purchase of this property on behalf of the Sheldon Historical Society to be transformed into The Sheldon Historical Museum
View Early Photos
During 2017 many hands completed many tasks in preparation for renovation and restoration. The first floor clearing on Green Up Day resulted in a nearly cleaned out space as the photos show. Outside work including stripping the north face and putting up new siding painted by volunteers. Other outside work included the grounds. A full examination of the foundation and exterior revealed three underground fuel tanks as well as a crack in the east wall. Professionals took the lead in removing the tanks and in pouring a new foundation. See below for phases of that work.
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- Supports for foundation
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- Tanks
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- Deteriorated East Side
Some Early Photos From 2017
Green Up Day
Many Hands Make Light Work During 2017
Open to Full Screen for Best View
Over the Fall and Winter Months 2017 to 2018 Inside work included removing the old ceiling and the side wall covering in preparation for insulating and sheet rocking the walls. Fewer hands but lots of work done.
Work Day 2018
Inside and Finish Work
Open House 2019
Exceeding expectation we opened the first floor to the public at our Open House on October 19, 2019
Visit our Facebook page for more amazing open house photos
2021
Sheldon Historical Society is the recipient of a 2021 Cultural Facilities Grant, awarded by the Vermont Council for the Arts. Thanks to Andy Crane, Bob O’Connor and crew, the former back addition restoration provides us with a passenger lift to the second floor, a potential indoor bathroom and additional storage space. Thanks to Andy and the Vermont Council for the Arts. In our early progress, like the birth of the first child, the public interest resulted in numerous volunteers along with multiple photographs. Below are those we have accessed.
