A conversation with William Brooks of the Sheldon Museum of Vermont History

The Eagle met up with William Brooks, executive director of the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, at his museum office, at 1 Park St., in downtown Middlebury recently. Brooks has an undergraduate degree in American history and a master's degree in folk art studies. The Sheldon Museum, the oldest community based museum in the USA, has welcomed visitors and researchers since 1882. The museum began with the private collection of prominent Middlebury resident Henry Sheldon who died in 1907. The museum boasts education program offerings on-site and outreach programs using maps, documents, and artifacts from the museum collections. Public programs at the Sheldon Museum include the popular Annual Holiday Open House, an outdoor pops concert in the summer, and many other events throughout the year. Eagle: Welcome, Bill Brooks. Eagle readers love local history, so we thought it was time to talk to one of the people responsible for preserving a large part of our local heritage. First, we'd like to know a little bit about your family which has threads woven into the tapestry of historic Middlebury. Can you tell us about this? Brooks: Certainly. My mother lived here in Middlebury and her father—my grandfather—was a highly respected local physician, Dr. Jacob Johnson Ross. Both my maternal grandparents were UVM graduates. My grandmother taught mathematics at Middlebury High School. Also, the Ross's lived in the historic Kitchel House. In 1867, Middlebury College President Kitchel built this grand house in the Italianate style of Twilight Hall located across the street on the college campus. Sadly, my grandfather died prematurely in 1929 of an appendicitis attack; it was a shock to everyone. My father was from Massachusetts, but he grew up in Arlington, Va. He practised law in Washington, D.C. I should mention that our family had purchased a summer home in North Ferrisburgh, on Long Point, so I was coming to Vermont every summer. I have many Vermont relatives, too. Chuck Ross, the current Vermont secretary of agriculture, is my cousin. Eagle: By all accounts, the Sheldon Museum is located in one of Middlebury's most beautiful downtown buildings, the Judd-Harris House. Anything interesting to say about this historic structure? Brooks: Yes, the Judd-Harris House, the rooms of which display much of our museum collection, was built in 1829 by marble merchant Eben Judd and his son-in-law Lebbeus Harris. They owned a quarry and the marble works near the falls of Otter Creek. This Federal house is a monument to their expertise in the marble industry. Judd and Harris both died in 1837. In 1882 Sheldon founded the Sheldon Art and Archaeological Museum and Historical Society in the Judd-Harris House, which he purchased. A researcher uncovered the fact that this building was a brothel at one point. The story goes that a wife came looking for her husband and then death resulted; one of them, I don't recall which one, fell down the stairs Eagle: Perhaps during a scuffle? Brooks: It's wonderful to learn new insights into local history found in our own collection. Eagle: We know that families, tourists, and school kids visit the museum. But what kinds of researchers consult the Sheldon Museum's archives? Brooks: Sometimes we have Vermont police officers doing research here. Recently, a woman detective was investigating the 1970s missing person case of a Middlebury College student. She wanted to recreate the retail stores that were in business here at the time the student disappeared. There was also the unsolved (1930s) East Middlebury murder case; the police have been in here to research that one, too. Eagle: What's the current spotlighted exhibit at the Sheldon Museum? Brooks: Our "Warren Kimble All-American Artist: An Eclectic Retrospective" runs through Oct. 18, 2015. This exhibit spotlights the career of internationally known Brandon, Vt., artist Warren Kimble; he came to prominence for his folk art, but since has concentrated on diverse themes. These themes include his "Sunshine" series, his "Widows of War" paintings and sculpture, and more recent "House of Cards" and "Into the Box," open-faced boxes which feature found objects and architectural assemblages. Warren, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, displays the youthful energy and creativity of someone half his age. NCL: Thank you. Note: For visiting hours, exhibit details, and directions to the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, Vt., call 802-388-2117. A more in-depth version of this interview will appear in the autumn 2015 issue of the Eagle's sister publication, North Country Living Magazine. This colorful quarterly magazine is available free at participating local retailers.

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A conversation with William Brooks of the Sheldon Museum of Vermont History

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