An area rich in history, The Shires of Vermont has specialty museums, historic mansions, art centers and playhouse theaters. Names such as Grandma Moses are honored at the Bennington Museum, Robert Frost at the Stone House Museum in Shaftsbury and Normal Rockwell at a prominent exhibit in Arlington. One of New England¹s best preserved Victorian mansions the 35-room Park McCullough House was the home of a prominent American family. Hildene, the mansion built by Abraham Lincoln¹s son Robert Todd features acres of scenic meadows. Public tours of the mansion and gardens are available May through October.

The Bennington Museum, Bennington Center for the Natural and Cultural Arts and Southern Vermont Arts Center have ongoing and changing exhibits on a par of museums in major cities. Enjoying live theater at the Dorset Playhouse, Oldcastle Theatre in Bennington or Weston Playhouse is a perfect way to spend an evening in Southern Vermont. Choose from musical, dramatic or comedy performances‹without the crowds or parking hassles.

Historic preservation is alive and well in the quiet corners of Soutwestern Vermont. With 6 diverse museums and 3 mansions to explore, this is an area rich in history. The Bennington Museum has the world's largest collection of Grandma Moses paintings as well as many historical displays dating from revolutionary times. The museum also houses a renowned genealogy collection. The Covered Bridge Museum is the first and only museum in the world dedicated to the preservation and education of the history, science, culture and environment of covered bridges. The Robert Frost Stone House Museum is a short distance from Frost's gravesite in the Old Bennington Cemetary and was his home from 1920 to 1929. The North Shire Museum and History Center consists of 7 buildings built between 1750 and 1850. The American Museum of Fly Fishing is a natural history and sports museum dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the treasures of American angling. The Southern Vermont Art Center features the center's 800 piece permanent collection and traveling exhibits from the nation's finest museums. Hildene was once the Summer home of Abraham Lincoln's son Robert Todd Lincoln and now serves as a museum to Lincoln family artifacts and area history. The Park McCullough House is a 35-room Victorian home features period furniture and tells the story of Trevor and Laura Park, a prominent American family. Finally, the Everett Mansion, on the grounds of Southern Vermont College was built in 1911 in the style of English feudal castles of the 14th century and is open for self-guided tours year round.

Southern Vermont has some of the best regional theatre you will find anywhere in New England. It is a unique place, because there is a sophisticated and diverse group of people here who really support the arts.

The Dorset Playhouse hosts both professional and community theatre throughout the year. In Bennington, the Oldcastle Theatre Company has a 30-year histroy of producing plays of all kinds - experimental and classical, dramas and comedies. For both musicals and drama, the Weston Playhouse provides one of the most rustic and charming venues in all of Vermont.

Southern Vermont looks beautiful, and it has a soundtrack to match. Music is truly thriving in the Green Mountains, everything from the blues to classical to rock and more. Throughout the year, a number of organizations in Vermont host performers from outside the state as well as foster musical education within the state, for school-children, adults and professional musicians.

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is a full symphony that plays three statewide tours each year. Here in Southern Vermont the VSO plays outdoors in the summertime at Hildene's Meadowlands and at Hunter Park. The Manchester Music Festival is now in its 27th year and now includes a year-round professional concert series and a young artist training program. The Riley Summer Music Concert Series is a concert festival hosted at Riley Rink at Hunter Park in Manchester. Last Summer the series hosted a hugely successful lineup featuring Ringo Starr, Jewel, B.B. King and Buddy Guy.

Whatever your pleasure in music, you can find it here in Southern Vermont.

Looking for world-class dance company performances? Interested in taking a dance class? Want to attend a dance party? Southern Vermont has them all!

Visitors to Bennington County wishing to experience art on their vacation can enjoy exhibits in museums and galleries and also pick from a palette of creative hands-on classes, workshops and programs.

Throughout the region professional instruction and interactive art experiences are available for all levels of interest and expertise. From plein air painting workshops to up-to-the-elbows opportunities to participate and create with a variety of materials and mediums, all in the scenic Southern Vermont environment.