South Hero Bicentennial Museum

The museum is located in the old Landon Memorial Library building on Rt. 2 which was erected in 1925 by Susan Hall Landon as a memorial to her son Arthur, who died in France after serving our country in WW I.

Images taken during the Bicentennial Open House

History of the Bicentennial Museum

The Landon Library served the town well for many years. When Folsom School was remodeled and enlarged during the 1970’s the town decided to incorporate the contents of the old library into the modern school facility to better serve both student and adult patrons.

The Landon building’s vacancy inspired thoughts of having a place to educate the public through exhibiting and demonstrating the usage of artifacts relating to the town’s rich history. A group of dedicated volunteers applied for and received a grant for $700.00 during the Bicentennial year to begin the South Hero Bicentennial Museum. The remainder of the establishment’s initial expenses were obtained through private donations.

The new museum opened to the public on July 1, 1976 with Bob Lawrence’s hand-carved sign above the door.

Volunteers

Many people helped make this dream come true. Initial organizers included Edna Lahue, Helen Tressler, Mary Sue Tourville, Mary Lou Fowler, Virginia Lyman, Polly McBride and Barbara Winch. Later Barb Winch, Pat Atwood and Lorrie Janick attended workshops sponsored by the VT Historical Society where they learned the proper handling of artifacts, the necessity of proper air circulation and humidity control, and how to encapsulate objects correctly.

Lorrie Janick made authentic curtains adhering to conservation standards for protecting the pieces from the sunlight. Later on Kay Anderson, Nancy Allen, Mary Pringle and Phyllis Johnson joined the team. Kay is responsible for the amazing scrapbook of South Hero newspaper articles that you will find inside.

For his Eagle Scout project, Zerai Hagos labeled objects and created a notebook of identification. Harlow White made the screens for the cellar windows and Malcolm Allen was kind enough to check the kerosene levels. Jonathan Wells is a faithful volunteer who has kept the lawn mowed and continues to today.

Currently on the board of directors are Hazel Quelch, Lorrie Janick, Bret Corbin and Patsy Robinson.

We thank you all!!