The Shelburne Museum

After two days of riding in the heat, we needed a rest day.  So, we headed to The Shelburne Museum.  What a treat!  This place has something for everyone: a lighthouse, a paddlewheel steam boat, numerous impressionist paintings, an exhibit of current and historic fashion, gardens, everything really.  We began the tour with a paper exhibit in the round barn.

There was also an exhibit of hand carved carousel animals.

The full sized Ticonderoga paddlewheel was impressive.

There several beautiful gardens with walking paths and sculpture.

The Shelburne Museum is full of buildings of all sorts: a Methodist Meeting house, train stations complete with a train, even a jail!  The founder also moved a lighthouse to the grounds.

Even the doorknob to the lighthouse was unique.

 Inside the museum were some book art pieces. like a gun cutout

 ..........................................and a book push broom.

 The lighthouse was complete with a brass bell, a lifeboat and narrow stairs.

 It had a working light.

On top of these things, we saw paintings by Degas, Corot, Courbet, Manet, Monet and mary Cassatt.  These were wonderful and completely unexpected in a mostly outdoor museum full of buildings and outside displays.  Highly recommended!