Burlington History On Display This Summer
The Burlington Historical Museum will be open, and tours of Burlington's historical sites will be offered
The building is a fixture of the community, standing at the corner of Cambridge and Bedford streets opposite the Town Common. But what's inside the Burlington Public Museum (also known as the Burlington Historical Museum) â and what's the story of the building itself?
Built in 1855, the building was the home of the town's central schoolhouse, aptly named the Center School. This was one of five directional schoolhouses and came after the North, South, East, and West schools as a closer option for students living near the town's center.
After the Union School (currently the home of the police station) was built, the Center School was converted into the town's first library and, after 70 years serving that purpose, became the police station. After the police station moved out, the former Center School building gained a new life as the Historical Museum and is now included on the National Register of Historic Places, said member of the Historical Commissioner and Historical Society, Mary Nohelty.
The museum, which is now handicap accessible, houses artifacts from all different times in Burlington's history from before colonial times to the present day, including Native American artifacts, items from World War I, and murals from Burlington High School students of the 1970s.
The Historical Museum will be open the second Saturday of each month throughout the summer (June 14, July 12, and August 9), as well as on Celebrate Burlington day on August 2. The best place to park is at Simonds Park, but if you're up for a short walk you could also park at 61 Center Street or behind Town Hall.
In addition to the opening of the Museum, the town will be offering historic trolley tours on the day of Celebrate Burlington, August 2, with 11:00 and 1:00 departure times. Participants will visit every historic corner of Burlington and learn about our town's rich past.
Whether you're a longtime resident or a curious visitor, the Burlington Historical Museum offers a timeless glimpse into the heart of the townâs story.
