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The Bennington Museum
The Historic Bennington Museum

By MareEllen Mason

Enchanting, accessible and within easy reach. Come visit the Bennington Museum located on West Main Street in Bennington (Vt. route 9 which connects to nearby N.Y. Route 7). Situated in Vermont's Southwest corner, this historic museum was chosen as a 1997 Editor's Pick by Yankee Magazine.

The Bennington Museum traces its roots to 1875 when a group of citizens formed the Bennington Historical Society to protect and disseminate information about the region. In 1928 the Society purchased the St. Francis de Sales church and moved their collections to this new site and it became the Bennington Museum.

As the history of the region drew more attention, the museum grew rapidly. Today's Bennington Museum exhibits several important collections and organizes a wide variety of exhibitions and activities. Visitors can spend a relaxing day browsing through the galleries.

The museum boasts the world's largest exhibit of Grandma Moses' paintings and memorabilia. In addition to fine displays of decorative arts and glass, the museum also has the most complete collection of historic Bennington pottery, the Bennington Flag (one of the most famous and oldest Stars and Stripes in existence!) and a military gallery with fascinating artifacts from past wars.

Don't miss Ralph Earl's oil painting "View of Bennington" which is a masterpiece of 18th century American painting. It is just one of several magnificent paintings in the museum's collection. Another highlight is the Martin-Wasp; a classic 1925 luxury touring car and the only surviving example of the only automobile commercially produced in Bennington.

The Bennington Museum, you will discover, is one of America's premier regional history and art museums. An historic institution filled with a vast collection that will captivate all ages. Another way to experience Vermont's historic diversity is to browse through the well organized genealogy and history library on site. Amid its treasures, peruse the books that reveal Vermont's history. The library is a virtual community memory bank as well as being a pre-eminent New England genealogy facility. Call ahead for library hours.

Exhibit The museum is featuring a special exhibit Early Vermont Samplers: The First Effort of My Infant Hand on view through October. Samplers can be interpreted in a number of ways, as an art form, a historical and genealogical document, and as a primary educational tool for promoting women's literacy in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Outside the museum you'll find the Hadwen Woods pavilion, an educational center at the entrance to a wooded trail next to the museum. We invite you to explore the Hadwen Woods and linger at one of our picnic tables.

Be sure to spend some time in our unique Museum store with Vermont products and collection-relevant merchandise.

The Bennington Museum is open daily, November 1 through May 31 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. June 1 through October 31 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission charged, free to children under twelve and museum members. The first floor galleries of the Museum are wheelchair accessible. Group and bus tours are always welcome. Please call (802) 447-1571 for information about exhibits and events. History is here!

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