Bennington Museum –Then and Now
Tracing its origins to 1852, Bennington Museum is rooted in the region’s colorful past as it moves toward the future in art, history, and innovation.
After years of searching for a permanent home, in 1923 the Association acquired the beautiful, native stone structure that had served as the first St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church from 1855 to 1892. The building underwent renovations to provide a more functional and aesthetically pleasing home for the museum’s growing collections. The museum opened to the public in 1928 as the Bennington Historical Museum. Expansions took place in 1939, 1960, 1974, and 1999. The museum’s name underwent changes as well, becoming the Bennington Historical Museum and Art Gallery, and then in 1954, The Bennington Museum. We are now most often referred to as simply, Bennington Museum.
Bennington Museum holds the largest collection of art and historical artifacts in southern Vermont, reflecting a rich culture of innovation that has characterized this region for two and a half centuries. Our extraordinary diverse collections range from letters written by George Washington to contemporary art. We are proud caretakers of the largest public collection of paintings by the great American folk artist Grandma Moses, and the defining collection of 19th-century Bennington stoneware. Our exhibitions of major 20th- century modernists are always changing and have included Rockwell Kent, Helen Frankenthaler, Jules Olitski, and Sir Anthony Caro, as well as works by contemporary outsider artists such as Gayleen Aiken and Jessica Park. Superb furniture and paintings from Vermont, decorative arts, and folk art from the 18th century to present are found throughout the museum. The 1863 Jane Stickle Quilt is on view annually and draws quilters from around the world.