The Museum is closed for the season and will reopen May 9.
Learn
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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School Programs are generously supported by the Marie and John Zimmermann Fund and the George W. Mergens Foundation, with additional support from the MGN Family Foundation. Shelburne Museum programs are also made possible by our Members and donors to the Annual Fund.
Spring 2026
Available during our open season from May 11th – closing
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 for individual families. You can let the Admissions team know that you are a homeschooling family/group upon arrival. If you are a homeschool cooperative and would like to book a visit for a larger group, please complete the inquiry form above. Discounted admission rates for homeschool visitors are honored daily during the time that most schools are in session: from Monday, May 11 to Friday, June 19 and Monday, August 31 to closing.
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 bus transportation costs.
Guarantee your spot by signing up early! Please complete the inquiry form above, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You may also reach out to Sara Wolfson, School and Youth Programs Educator, at education@shelburnemuseum.org or 802-985-0922 with any questions.
Available weekdays from early September – October 25, 2026
During the fall season, we are thrilled to offer four Guided Visit workshops exploring themes in visual arts, geography, and STEM. These visits provide excellent opportunities for smaller groups to dive deeper into a topic under the guidance of Shelburne Museum educators.
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.
Pricing for all guided workshops: $7 per student (includes a dedicated educator for your group and any necessary materials)
Teachers and school staff are admitted free
Chaperones are admitted free up to a ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students ($5 per chaperone above 1:10 ratio)
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 funding available to help defray bus transportation costs.
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. Check back in the spring for more information on the exhibitions available for this workshop.
What do maps tell us? How do they share that information with us? Why would people use maps?
In this workshop, students 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.
Upon request, school groups who participate in this workshop will also be provided with self-guided 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 to extend the learning experience.
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.
Experience Shelburne Museum through the eyes of an engineer/scientist!
In our STEM Explorers program, students take part in three collaborative and hands-on mini workshops where they will be challenged to build bridges, sculpt boats that float, and design creative animals with a variety of adaptations. Each of the mini workshops will connect to a part of Shelburne Museum’s unique collection, including the Covered Bridge, steamboat Ticonderoga, and taxidermy animals in Beach Lodge. By linking history, engineering, and natural science, this program supports classroom learning goals while providing students with a memorable, real-world learning experience.
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.
Nature journals are the tools of scientists, naturalists, artists, writers, and more. In our interdisciplinary Nature Journaling program, students will participate in structured drawing/writing activities that build observational skills, curiosity, and creativity. The grounds and gardens of Shelburne Museum provide the perfect setting for students to slow down, look closely, and connect with the natural world.
Shelburne Museum will provide all necessary materials for nature journaling, which would be paper and a variety of drawing materials. However, if your students already have nature journals/sketchbooks, you are welcome to bring those for your visit.
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. Since there are a variety of approaches to nature journaling, teachers are encouraged to share specific learning goals with the Education team ahead of the visit so that we can design a workshop that aligns with your objectives and provides a meaningful experience for your students. This workshop will take place in rain or shine as covered spaces are available in case of rain.