The
Athenaeum, in addition to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium,
is another legacy of St. Johnsbury's famous Fairbanks family.
Build in the Second Empire style, the Athenaeum was given
to the town by Governor Horace Fairbanks in 1871. It became
one of the first free public libraries in Vermont, and has
become the oldest art gallery in the United States still in
its original form.
Today it continues to serve as a public library
and art gallery, and houses a sizable collection of publications
and photos related to the history of St. Johnsbury, as well
as a large collection of Fairbanks family papers.
The Athenaeum is open Monday and Tuesday (10-8),
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday (10-5:30) and Saturday (9:30-4). You
can reach the Athenaeum by phone at 802-748-8291.
