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Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

The Nature Museum

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Grafton, VT
The Nature Museum

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Our natural history exhibits and programs engage and educate in order to spark a lifelong connection to the natural world.

Open Friday - Sunday, 10 - 4, admission by donation. The Magic Forest Playscape & grounds are open for exploration dawn - dusk. Take the whole family for a day of exploration, learning, and fun at The Nature Museum. Inside, you can examine Vermont wildlife up-close with interactive exhibits, hand-painted dioramas, and mounted specimens. Crawl through an underground bear den, dig for fossils, dress up as your favorite creature, and watch the resident honeybees at work in their glass hive. Borrow one of the Museum’s Outdoor Adventure Backpacks and head outside to continue your adventure. Stroll or skip through the pollinator garden- you may see those same honeybees out collecting pollen or take a hike through the forest along the Fairy House Trail. Discover pond dipping, enjoy a picnic in the backyard, and take a closer look at the beauty that surrounds you.

10/22/2026

We’re so grateful for the 9th grade Vermont Academy volunteers who helped us with post-festival cleanup of the grounds and Fairy House Trail yesterday! They helped our staff accomplish a tremendous amount, and had a blast doing it.

10/20/2026

Observe and learn about our cosmic neighborhood this Friday evening from 7pm-9pm at The Nature Museum with experts from Southern Vermont Astronomy Group! 🌠

🔭 If skies are clear, all are welcome to join us for this night sky viewing experience of the Moon, Saturn, and other stars in our galaxy. Bring your warm coats, socks, and gloves as well as your questions and ideas because Q&A and discussion will be plentiful and encouraged!

If the celestial skies aren't viewable, join us for an alternative talk "Exploration and Colonization of Our Solar System: It's Hard To Not Die" that will give a theoretical look into life in space -- and perhaps develop a greater appreciation for life on our Earth!

🔗 Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register on our website at https://www.nature-museum.org/upcoming-events-full

10/08/2026

Our autumn event calendar is full of hands-on opportunities for learners of all ages!
Learn more and register on our website at nature-museum.org/upcoming-events

🍂🍁 Mighty Acorns Preschool Programs & Playgroups: Looking at Leaves & Fruits
Friday, Oct. 16th
Program runs 9:30-10:30, Playgroup follows from 10:30-11:30

🪏 Invasive Plant Workshop & Management
Saturday, Oct. 17th, 10:00am - 12:00pm
In this hands-on workshop, learn about common invasive plants across our region that exist on The Nature Museum’s property and how to manage them.

💫🔭 Night Sky Viewing with Southern Vermont Astronomy Group
Friday, Oct. 23rd, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Observe and learn about our cosmic neighborhood, conditions permitting. If celestial skies aren’t viewable, join us for the talk “Exploration and Colonization of Our Solar System: It’s Hard To Not Die”

🐾🎨 Let’s Tak Taxidermy with Sam McGonigle
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 1:00 - 3:00pm
In this interactive program you’ll have a chance to satisfy your curiosity about the weird and wonderful world of taxidermy as we denystify this creative process.

10/01/2026

Hours for this weekend, 10/2-10/4:
Fri 10am-1pm
Sat 10am-4pm
Sun 10am-4pm
We're taking a little break on Friday afternoon so the museum staff can rest a bit after the long (and fun!) Fairy House event last weekend. Hope you can stop by the museum and enjoy the autumn with us!

09/29/2026

Thank you for a fairy magical Fairy House Festival 2026! Despite the gloomy forecast, there were bright smiling faces everywhere we looked.

The rain lent an ethereal sheen to the fairy houses along the trail, and puddles to splash in alongside sheltered activities and warm food and drink made the rain a magical part of the experience.

Over 1200 tickets were sold to support the year-round programming of The Nature Museum, and we are so grateful for every visitor, Volunteer, Fairy House Builder, Festival Sponsor, merchant and food vendor that made this weekend possible!

Be sure to share with us what made this feel magical for you, and we look forward to seeing you next September! ✨🧚🫧

09/27/2026

Fairy houses are beautiful in the rain! If you're still planning to join us today, we encourage you to stop by before 2pm! Tickets are still available at the gate, and we have hot food and drinks available.

09/25/2026

Rain boots on, wings ready! The Fairy House Festival is ON, rain or shine, Sept 26th and 27th.

Staff and volunteers are building the Fairy Village — Tents are up, warm drinks ready, and our local food and craft vendors are coming out too.

Every ticket to the Festival supports our year-round programs — be sure to purchase yours online before tonight at 9 pm to keep the fairy gates flowing smoothly. We’ll see you tomorrow with wings on! 🧚✨

Address

186 Townshend Road
Grafton, VT
05146

Opening Hours

Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18028432111

Website

http://www.nature-museum.org/

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