a little trip (part 1)

If you follow along on IG than you're familiar with this image of the Ticonderoga from the Shelburne Museum - well, wait a minute I might be getting ahead of myself. I love history of any kind and I especially love museums. So, this lovely spot outside of Burlington VT with all it's historic buildings has always remained a favorite memory from my childhood The visit when I was 6 made a lasting impression on me.

I speak of my love of treasures often and the image below is a treasure from that childhood visit. I showed it to my sister saying how I'd love to take Liam there and bam she immediately set to work planning everything.

Shelburne Museum has a world renown collection of art - including a selection of antique architectural structures, decorative arts, folk art, carriages, circus collectibles, textiles, toys and more - plus beautiful French Impressionist art all encapsulated in 39 buildings over 45 acres.

All tickets are good for a 2 day visit. On our first day we completely walked the grounds visiting 18 buildings in about 4 hours.

We took the car ferry across Lake Champlain into Burlington, VT.

It was a ton of fun and I highly recommend  - especially with children.

This sight greeted us as we walked up to the entrance on Day 1. It wasn't a sunny day but, we were so fortunate it didn't start to rain until we were leaving. The Round Barn above houses a collection of horse powered carriages. Look at the pretty hand painted details on this sled.

Next stop was the Ticonderoga a 220 ft. side-wheel passenger steamboat. Built in 1906 it operated until 1953. The ships interior and decks are set up as if it were 1923.

We enjoyed a walk through an 1890 Train and it was super fun finding our town on the map.

the backroom of the General Store houses the Apothecary Shop. All the antique bottles and drug containers were fun to see.

the Meeting House is in a lovely spot.

I love the image of Liam in the Horseshoe Barn Annex which features more amazing carriages.

Shelburne runs a print making shop on premises. I tried to buy a print of the Letter K (of course) but, they were sold out - I'll be giving them a jingle at the end of the month to check on stock.

Here we are taking a peek in the Jail.

The Textile Gallery was marvelous ... screens, hat boxes, some of the finest quilts I have ever viewed and loomed coverlets. Although an antique this navy and white spread feels very fresh.

The Model Train was delightful as were the collection of toys.

I really like Pewter and these molds from the Variety Unit building were so neat. This building holds collections of Pewter, Glass and Porcelains.

This diorama was eye level built into the wall.

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friends I'm going to pick this up next week but, I didn't want to close without sharing the visionary behind the Museum - the late Electra Havemeyer Webb. I always try and pick up a publication about anywhere I visit and this volume while slim tells in great detail Mrs. Webb's passion for the arts, collecting and the history of Shelburne.

til next time.

WELCOME TO WOODSTOCK, VT.

we're mixing it up a bit this week at chaletmommma - it's a takeover - we have a guest writer.

Christina F. Marks was visiting Woodstock, VT recently and sent me a few images saying "you should do a piece on this town it's beautiful" and my reply was "why don't you write it?"

so she did!

ENJOY!!!

Woodstock, Vermont is an idyllic, charming New England town perfect for a weekend getaway or an easy day trip while in the Green Mountain region. I try to visit at least once a ski season when the weather keeps me off the mountain. Woodstock's architecture, quaint shops and delicious food are not to be missed. Highlights in town include: The Woodstock Inn, F.H. Gillingham & Sons General Store, Norman Williams Public Library and the Covered Middle Bridge.

The Woodstock Inn is the vision of the late philanthropist Laurance S. Rockefeller - he and wife Mary were married in Woodstock at the Congregational Church in 1934. He started redevelopment of the Inn in 1968 after the original building was sadly deemed as unsalvageable.

The cozy lobby greets guests with a roaring fire and gorgeous stone fireplace.

I could post 100 photos of the great decor, but, will keep it to just a few...

These Quimper plates look to be very old (edges are rough) but, in excellent shape overall. My great grandmother had a collection of this french pottery and these pieces always catch my eye.

Blue and White galore a favorite of Chaletmomma.

THIS! This is a treasure - located in the bar of The Red Rooster, the Inn's AAA Four Diamond Award winning restaurant. The cask looks to be from the days of Madame Clicquot. How much do we think this amount of Veuve would cost today?

This reading room off the main lobby is heavenly with it's papered ceiling and rich lacquered walls.

This stately home is right off the Green and is just one of the hundreds of stunningly unique houses in town.

Doesn't get any quainter than this!

Next time I'm definitely going into the Woodstock Pharmacy, as I'm sure they have a great assortment of unique products. (I love that they still advertise having Kodak Camera products on the outside of the building!)

This expanded farmhouse is a little out of town, complete with a horse barn and magnificent views. The resident Orange Tabby Cat was keeping an eye on us!

Thanks for reading! For more of my images, follow me on Instagram @Teensie83

friday fun!

my son had a few days off and we were trying to decide what to do. we like museums and luckily he does too. he is particularly fond of the gift shops (ha!) he is his mother's son after all!.

recently we've visited some local museums as well as the American Museum of Natural History to enjoy the Egyptian exhibit and we visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art regularly.

my brother-in-law suggested The Met Cloisters it was a quick trip on route 80 and over the George Washington Bridge to Tryon Park. if you're not familiar with the Cloisters it's a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art which focuses on the art, architecture and gardens of the middle ages.

i love boxes especially old wooden ones.

this example of a painted chest is extraordinary. it shows scenes of the Capture of Orange. it was made in France 1220-1225. look at the way the metal supports are holding it together. i could stare at this for hours.

this door handle is remarkable - not to mention the carving on the door itself. i'd love this for the chalet!

old stuff is definitely my jam!

it's hard to believe just how old these pieces are and remember the tools they had when these were fabricated in the 1200's.

the interior of the chapel had a number of stone coffins. i think this one is especially lovely with all it's details. thinking of the time it took to carve is staggering.

these lovely ladies are in fact reliquaries. i learned the containers often reflect the contents. so these busts may have contained skulls. while arm bones were held in the golden statue. you can see openings where glass was - allowing the viewer a look inside at the bones.

  Reliquary: a receptacle or repository for relics, especially relics of saints. www.dictionary.com

it was a stunning day - though windy. we plan to return in the summer to view the spectacular gardens in all their splendor and enjoy the cafe which is now closed for the season.

my son is thrilled with his gift shop purchase! here he is with his trusty companion sir jackson. he asked if the next place we visit could be the Moma - not bad for a 6 yr old!

thanks to my hubby and sister for sharing some images with me for this post.

please leave a comment - what is your favorite museum?

til next time.