I stopped by on the way back from Burlington to New York to stretch my legs and I'm so glad I did!
When I stopped by they were having an international contest of atlatl, an ancient hunting weapon, a wooden handle to help launch spears. I have never heard of it, but the mechanics of it made sense to me when explained - it works a lot better than throwing spears with bare hands.
Apple trees in front of the museum was loaded with nice apples. I was so surprised to see them, because in Central New York we had a terrible apple year this year, producing something like only under 10% of the usual year. Our local orchard that usually have their stands full of apples had none this year, and they were selling vegetables instead. I asked and I was told that it's because Lake Chaplain protected those trees from frost damage at a wrong time of year. Whoa!
I am so glad that I feel like I learned quite a bit at the museum about the history of Vermont in this quick visit. For example, I learned that Burlington where my son is at was under water many thousands of years ago. The history of Native Americans (Abenakis), the French, the British and Americans were nicely organized and displayed. I loved looking at the preserved tavern, and explanations about period clothings that were displayed upstairs. Loved photographs and paintings of local birds, also upstairs, in the hallway. I also enjoyed reading bout Olmsted and looking at the carved canoe. I had no idea they burn the wood to hollow out the wood to make those canoes - it makes complete sense but somehow I used to imagine they must have carved the woods out by hands.
It was cool to look up at the bridge from below, too!
It's definitely a great place to make a stop to stretch your legs during your drive. read more