May
16
From Dairy to Doorstep:
Milk Delivery in New England
May 07 – Aug 04, 2013
The Sheldon Museum, in partnership with Historic New England, presents From Dairy to Doorstep: Milk Delivery in New England, an entertaining, special exhibit that chronicles over 200 years of dairy history from the family farm through the heyday of home delivery by milkmen. The exhibit features seldom seen historic photographs, advertisements, ephemera, and artifacts provided by Historic New England, the Sheldon, Monument Farms Dairy, and a local collector.
On view through August 4, 2013, From Dairy to Doorstep explains and gives meaning to items associated with milk production, milk delivery, and milk consumption. Viewers will recognize signs, advertising, milkman uniforms, dairy goods, and milk bottles.
Vermont, especially Addison County, has a long tradition of family dairy farms which have been major, but changing, economic engines in the Lake Champlain region. Public presentations reviewing the impactful history by notable speakers will be scheduled during the three-month term of the exhibit, to include appearances by current Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross and his predecessor, Roger Allbee. In addition, Monument Farms Dairy and Foster Brother Farms will host Open Houses. In June, the Museum will present a Family Day and an evening of poetry featuring works by some of Addison County’s own farmer poets. Gallery talks will be offered every Wednesday at noon during the run of the exhibit. The noon talks are included with Museum admission, free for members.
The exhibit has received generous financial underwriting from Cabot Creamery, the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, Monument Farms Dairy, Foster Brothers Farm, Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition, and Yankee Farm Credit, and educational materials from the New England Dairy & Food Council as well as the New England Dairy Promotion Board.
The Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park Street in downtown Middlebury across from the Ilsley Public Library. Museum hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. starting May 26, 1-5 p.m. Research Center hours: Thurs. and Fri. 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. Admission to the Museum is $5 Adults; $3 Youth (6-18); $4.50 Seniors; $12 Family. For more information about the exhibit and related programs, visit www.henrysheldonmuseum.org or call 802/388-2117.
