Welcome | Historical Society of Windham County
Source: http://www.historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:39
Welcome | Historical Society of Windham County
Welcome to the Historical Society of Windham County
The Society was founded in 1927 to collect, preserve and present the history of Windham County.
We invite you to visit our three museums and explore the historic
Village of Newfane.
It is one of the most photographed villages in Vermont and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
.
Three buildings
Discover the History of Windham County, Vermont
County History Museum
The County History Museum is located in the historic 1825 County Jail building in Newfane Village. The building includes the original jail cells as well as 10 exhibit areas. The Society’s extensive collection of artifacts and documents tells the stories of Windham County’s history from the pre-Colonial period to the present.
MORE
West River Railroad Museum
The West River Railroad Museum is housed in the original Newfane Railroad Station. The Station comprises the historic Depot Building and Water Tank House, both of which were built in 1880. Our extensive collection of West River Railroad artifacts, photographs and documents is exhibited in the Museum.
MORE
Research Center
The Historical Society's Research Center is housed in the building originally constructed as the Society's main Museum in Newfane Village. The 1936 building now serves as the Society's library, archive, and genealogical repository. Resources include journals, letters, maps, photographs, books, and newspapers.
MORE
About the Historical Society of Windham County
The
Historical Society of Windham County
is the central repository for the history of Windham County, Vermont, and is located in scenic Newfane, the County shire town.
The HSWC operates
three facilities devoted to local history
including the County History Museum, the West River Railroad museum, and the genealogy research center.
In addition, the HSWC offers educational events for all ages, including our local biennial history fair held in August.
Looking for
genealogy help
? Contact us about your Windham County ancestor and we’ll tell you what we know.
Thanks for visiting the Historical Society of Windham County web site!
Visit Us
Learn More
News and Events
Preview of 2026 Exhibit in the Michelman Gallery – Sunday, May 18
Guest Exhibit Opening – Works by Arlo Monroe – Sunday, June 7, 2026
13,000 Years of Abenaki History – Thursday, June 18, 2026
Windham County History Fair – Saturday, August 15, 2026
Annual Meeting, Potluck and Special Program – Friday, August 28, 2026
Search Our Site
Donate Now
Get Involved
Get Involved
Volunteer with HSWC
There are many reasons to volunteer with the Historical Society of Windham County, and just as many ways to get involved. Volunteers assist the Curator and the Board of Directors as Museum Docents, as well as with aspects of the collection’s management, including data entry, exhibit development, research and fundraising.
CONTACT US
Make a Donation
The Historical Society of Windham County welcomes donations to help us carry out our mission of preserving and presenting our local history. Your tax deductible contributions support our County History Museum, the West River Railroad Museum as well as the Research Center.
DONATE TODAY
Become a Member
Become a member of the Historical Society, and receive our informative newsletter of historical articles and Society news three times a year. The Society sponsors a series of educational programs and events throughout the year. Members get a 10% discount off admission to museums of fellow members of the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums in Vermont.
BECOME A MEMBER
Welcome to the Historical Society of Windham County
The Society was founded in 1927 to collect, preserve and present the history of Windham County.
We invite you to visit our three museums and explore the historic
Village of Newfane.
It is one of the most photographed villages in Vermont and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
.
Three buildings
Discover the History of Windham County, Vermont
County History Museum
The County History Museum is located in the historic 1825 County Jail building in Newfane Village. The building includes the original jail cells as well as 10 exhibit areas. The Society’s extensive collection of artifacts and documents tells the stories of Windham County’s history from the pre-Colonial period to the present.
MORE
West River Railroad Museum
The West River Railroad Museum is housed in the original Newfane Railroad Station. The Station comprises the historic Depot Building and Water Tank House, both of which were built in 1880. Our extensive collection of West River Railroad artifacts, photographs and documents is exhibited in the Museum.
MORE
Research Center
The Historical Society's Research Center is housed in the building originally constructed as the Society's main Museum in Newfane Village. The 1936 building now serves as the Society's library, archive, and genealogical repository. Resources include journals, letters, maps, photographs, books, and newspapers.
MORE
About the Historical Society of Windham County
The
Historical Society of Windham County
is the central repository for the history of Windham County, Vermont, and is located in scenic Newfane, the County shire town.
The HSWC operates
three facilities devoted to local history
including the County History Museum, the West River Railroad museum, and the genealogy research center.
In addition, the HSWC offers educational events for all ages, including our local biennial history fair held in August.
Looking for
genealogy help
? Contact us about your Windham County ancestor and we’ll tell you what we know.
Thanks for visiting the Historical Society of Windham County web site!
Visit Us
Learn More
News and Events
Preview of 2026 Exhibit in the Michelman Gallery – Sunday, May 18
Guest Exhibit Opening – Works by Arlo Monroe – Sunday, June 7, 2026
13,000 Years of Abenaki History – Thursday, June 18, 2026
Windham County History Fair – Saturday, August 15, 2026
Annual Meeting, Potluck and Special Program – Friday, August 28, 2026
Search Our Site
Donate Now
Get Involved
Get Involved
Volunteer with HSWC
There are many reasons to volunteer with the Historical Society of Windham County, and just as many ways to get involved. Volunteers assist the Curator and the Board of Directors as Museum Docents, as well as with aspects of the collection’s management, including data entry, exhibit development, research and fundraising.
CONTACT US
Make a Donation
The Historical Society of Windham County welcomes donations to help us carry out our mission of preserving and presenting our local history. Your tax deductible contributions support our County History Museum, the West River Railroad Museum as well as the Research Center.
DONATE TODAY
Become a Member
Become a member of the Historical Society, and receive our informative newsletter of historical articles and Society news three times a year. The Society sponsors a series of educational programs and events throughout the year. Members get a 10% discount off admission to museums of fellow members of the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums in Vermont.
BECOME A MEMBER