NEWFANE — The Windham County Museum and the West River Railroad Museum are open for the season through Indigenous People's Day weekend in October.
The West River Railroad Museum comprises the old Depot and Water Tank House, both of which were built in 1880.
The museum houses a large collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs documenting the railroad's impact from its conception in the late 1800s through its 50 years of operation in the West River Valley.
The Railroad Museum, on Cemetery Hill Road, is a short walk from the Historical Society of Windham County's museum on Main Street (Route 30).
The Historical Society of Windham County was founded in 1927 to preserve local history. The brick Federal-style museum building, on Route 30, was built in 1936 as a showcase for the Society's extensive collection.
Two floors of exhibition space display examples of early Vermont furniture, folk art, Civil War artifacts, clothing, toys, tools and photographs, all telling the story of Windham County's history. Archives include early documents, records, and photographs spanning three centuries of county history.
County museum hours are Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m., while Railroad Museum hours are Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Both museums, which are also open by appointment, are within the Village of Newfane, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is free, and school group visits are encouraged.
For the latest news and schedule of events, visit historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org.