Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Location

Shelburne, Vermont, USA

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Electra Havemeyer Webb founded the Shelburne Museum of Shelburne, Vermont in 1947 as a way to preserve her family’s long lineage of material collections. Described by Electra as a, “collection of collections… an education project varied and alive,” the museum stands today as a relic of New England attracting thousands of visitors annually. Electra married into the Vanderbilt family and spent the rest of her time with the museum deconstructing historic buildings from around the region and reconstructing them on the campus of the museum. From historic inns to homesteads, steamships to lighthouses, a presidential steam train car to a school house, the campus is packed with history and beautiful architecture frozen in time. In order to upkeep such a large collection of artifacts and historic buildings, it requires a dedicated team of specialists. This paper explores how I was able to contribute to such a profound institution through my role as a carpenter's apprentice doing restorative architecture in Summer 2024.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.