Step inside one of North America's most extraordinary folk art and Americana collections — 39 historic structures on 45 acres, including a genuine side-wheel steamboat and a covered bridge. A private curator-led session unlocks hidden galleries and stories no general-admission visitor ever hears.
What to expect
Your curator meets you at the gate and tailors the two-hour journey through landmark structures: the 220-foot SS Ticonderoga steamboat, the 168-year-old Colchester Reef Lighthouse, and galleries housing Impressionist paintings by Monet and Manet. The pace is leisurely and conversational, with time to linger in the extraordinary quilt collection or the 1840 round barn. Expect the kind of depth that turns a museum visit into a genuine cultural revelation.
Good to know
Request the private curator tour directly through the museum's group department — general admission tickets can be purchased online for USD 25. Plan at least 3–4 hours on site. The museum is in Shelburne, VT; coordinate transport accordingly given the distance from Shelburne, NS.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Burlington — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Burlington
- Private Schooner Sail on Lake Champlain at Sunset
- Shelburne Farms: Open-Air Wagon Tour of a Gilded Age Estate
- Church Street & South End Culinary Walking Tour
- ECHO Leahy Center: Private Expert-Led Lake Champlain Deep Dive
- Lake Champlain Ferry Crossing to New York State & Adirondack Scenic Drive
- Burlington Bike Path & Causeway: Private Guided Cycle Adventure
- Fleming Museum of Art & UVM Campus: Private Cultural Immersion