Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 26
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There is a reason why Shelburne Museum welcomes thousands of school children each year—it is an incredibly rich resource for learning about American history, industry, culture, and art.
Shelburne Museum’s educational programs are all about close looking, critical thinking, and nurturing creativity and art appreciation. As you explore, you will discover how our collections become tools for learning, exploration, and self-expression. Educators who connect with Shelburne Museum will have the opportunity to expand their own understanding of the stories our collections have to tell and the ways that art and material culture can support standards-based classroom learning. We welcome public, private, and homeschool students in grades pre-K to 12 and beyond.
All groups must make advance reservations. After reading the information below, please complete our Field Trip Inquiry Form if you would like to schedule a visit. Please contact our School and Youth Programs Educator, Sara Wolfson, at education@shelburnemuseum.org or (802) 985-0922 with any additional questions.
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Available during our open season from May 12th – October 24th, 2025
Self-guided visits are a great way for groups of all kinds to experience Shelburne Museum, and are especially popular with school, homeschool, and college groups along with summer camps and service organizations. Self-guided visits allow you to explore the Museum at your own pace and visit the exhibits and buildings your group is most excited to see.
Pricing:
Admission fees are $5 per student. Teachers and school/camp staff are admitted free.
Chaperones admitted free up to a ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students ($5 per chaperone above 1:10 ratio)
Homeschool visitors: Admission fees are $5 per student. One adult per family/group is admitted free. Additional adults per family/group are $5 each. Pre-registration is not required. You can let the Admissions team know that you are a homeschooling family/group upon arrival. Discounted admission rates for homeschool visitors are honored daily from Monday, August 25 to Friday, October 24.
We are committed to making Shelburne Museum learning experiences accessible to all. Please reach out if you need assistance covering admission fees. We also welcome inquiries about accessing limited funding available to help defray transportation costs (applicable only to groups traveling by school bus).
Available Monday-Friday, September 8th to October 24th
(except for Monday, October 13th)
Space is limited! We encourage you to inquire at your earliest convenience.
This fall, we’re thrilled to offer three Guided Visit workshops exploring themes in visual arts, geography, and STEM.
We welcome homeschool groups to participate in Guided Visits. Please note that a minimum number of participants is required for workshops to run. Once you’ve submitted our inquiry form, we’ll follow up regarding the feasibility of your request.
We are committed to making Shelburne Museum learning experiences accessible to all. Please reach out if you need assistance covering admission fees. We also welcome inquiries about accessing limited funding available to help defray transportation costs (applicable only to groups traveling by school bus).
Grade level(s): Grades 2-12
Capacity: maximum of 18 students per session (can be run twice in one day to accommodate larger groups)
Workshop duration: approximately 1.5-2 hours
Pricing: $7 per student (includes dedicated educator for your group and any necessary materials)
Teachers and school staff admitted free
Chaperones admitted free up to a ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students ($5 per chaperone above 1:10 ratio)
In this visual arts and arts integration-focused workshop, students will practice close looking and deeper thinking by using Thinking Routines to engage with artwork at the Museum. During a tour led by Shelburne Museum staff, students will make connections between the exhibition they are viewing and the role that museum curators play in creating an exhibition. Using their new knowledge and understanding of their selected exhibition, students will be challenged to tap into their own creativity to create an artwork they believe would fit well in the exhibition they viewed.
Teachers/group leaders will be asked to select one exhibition that students will focus on for this program. We encourage educators to make their decisions based on which exhibition would be the best fit for their curriculum and learning goals. The exhibitions available for this workshop are:
Making a Noise: Indigenous Sound Art
Featured Indigenous artists merge sound and textile design to create interactive works that explore the connections between humans and the nonhuman world. Through layered cultural meanings, their art bridges tradition and contemporary expression.
Sound, Art, & Ink: Higher Ground Gig Posters
The gig poster, created to memorialize musical performances, captures fleeting moments in a way that evokes the intensity and spirit of a live performance. These works of art have become enduring symbols of shared experiences and collective memories.
Dahlov Ipcar: The Possibilities of Pattern
Ipcar was an American artist and author renowned for an imaginative, distinctive style that combined elements of modernism, social realism, folk art, and a fascination with the natural world. Today she is best known for her lyrical, lavishly illustrated books for children and young adults. This exhibition highlights the ways commercially available, printed fabrics informed the artist’s work across media.
The workshop will be tailored to meet the varying needs of different grade levels, ensuring that the activities are age-appropriate and engaging for all participants.
Grade level(s): Grades K-5
Capacity: maximum of 18 students per session (can be run three times in one day to accommodate larger groups)
Workshop duration: approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour
Pricing: $7 per student (includes dedicated educator for your group and any necessary materials)
Teachers and school staff admitted free
Chaperones admitted free up to a ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students ($5 per chaperone above 1:10 ratio)
What do maps tell us? How do they share that information with us? Why would people use maps?
In this workshop, students will explore the answers to those questions by studying a variety of historical and current maps. Students will then practice map-making by creating a map of a space at the Museum. The location that students focus on will be dependent on factors such as grade level, group size, and weather. This hands-on activity will teach them about spatial relationships and symbols and encourage them to slow down and notice the details of their surroundings.
School groups who participate in this workshop will also be provided with resources to find and engage with other maps throughout the Museum. We encourage you to use these resources either before or after your time in the guided workshop.
The workshop will be tailored to meet the varying needs of different grade levels, ensuring that the activities are age-appropriate and engaging for all participants.
New for 2025! The details of this offering are currently being finalized. Please check back for more information, or reach out to Sara Wolfson, School and Youth Programs Educator, at education@shelburnemuseum.org or 802-985-0922 with any questions.