Things to Do at Vermont History Museum

Complete Guide to Vermont History Museum in Montpelier

About Vermont History Museum

Vermont History Museum offers visitors comprehensive exhibits across multiple floors with admission typically $8. The café serves local specialties until 4 PM daily. The soft LED lighting reveals intricate details invisible in harsh daylight while thoughtfully designed pathways guide visitors through key exhibits for an immersive educational experience. The facility serves as an important cultural hub for the local community, hosting events and educational programs throughout the year.

What to See & Do

Freedom and Unity Exhibit

The museum's signature permanent exhibit that traces Vermont's story from indigenous peoples through statehood to modern times, with some surprisingly nuanced takes on complex historical issues

Abenaki Heritage Collection

Artifacts and stories from Vermont's indigenous peoples, including beautiful basketwork and tools that give you a real sense of pre-European life in the region

Civil War and Abolition Displays

Vermont's role in the Underground Railroad and Civil War comes alive here, with personal stories and artifacts that show how this small state punched above its weight

Agricultural Heritage Section

More interesting than it sounds - covers everything from sheep farming to the rise of dairy, plus the tools and innovations that shaped rural Vermont life

Rotating Special Exhibitions

These change regularly and often focus on specific aspects of Vermont culture, from local artists to forgotten historical events that deserve more attention

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Tuesday through Saturday 10am-4pm, closed Sundays and Mondays. Worth checking their website before visiting as hours can vary seasonally

Tickets & Pricing

Adults $7, seniors and students $5, children under 6 free. Family passes available for $20. Very reasonable for what you get

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, though weekends often have special programs. Spring through fall is ideal if you want to explore downtown Montpelier afterward

Suggested Duration

Plan for 1.5-2 hours if you're genuinely interested in the exhibits, though you could easily spend longer if special programs are running

Getting There

The museum sits on State Street in downtown Montpelier, one block from the State House. Street parking is free but scarce-your best bet is the municipal lot behind the building. Take Exit 8 from I-89. Follow downtown signs, then look for the building that screams 1800s architecture on State Street. You can't miss it. The structure is a replica of a historic hotel, which explains why it looks like it time-traveled from another century.

Things to Do Nearby

Vermont State House
Just up the hill with free tours and that distinctive gold dome you can see from miles away - definitely worth combining with your museum visit

Hubbard Park
A lovely spot for a walk with trails leading up to a stone tower that offers views over the valley - great for stretching your legs after museum browsing

Downtown Montpelier
Small but charming with good bookstores, coffee shops, and restaurants - the kind of walkable downtown that's becoming rare

Cold Hollow Cider Mill
About 20 minutes away in Waterbury, famous for their fresh cider donuts and you can watch the cider-making process

Cabot Annex Store
Also in Montpelier, where you can sample and buy Vermont's famous cheese plus other local products

Tips & Advice

Ask about their lecture series and special events - they often bring in interesting speakers and the intimate setting makes for engaging discussions

The museum store actually has some unique Vermont-made items and books you won't find elsewhere, worth browsing even if you're not usually a museum shop person

Combine your visit with a State House tour since they're so close - you can easily do both in a morning and get a full sense of Vermont's political and cultural history

Parking can be tricky during the legislative session (January-May) when Montpelier gets busier, so allow extra time to find a spot