What We Do

who we are

The Friends is an all volunteer nonprofit begun in 1980 to preserve the historical integrity of the building and provide education and outreach to Vermonters.

About the Friends.

The Friends' work is never finished! The challenges and opportunities presented by this mid-19th century building, an important museum as well as the busy seat of state government, are always compellingly present. The organization is an extraordinary example of a public/private partnership—in this case, a partnership devoted to our beautiful building.
The Friends is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, begun in 1980, to advocate for and help to fund the restoration and conservation of the building with its collection of art, furniture, and memorabilia, all expressing the history of Vermont itself. Integral to the Friends’ mission is the interpretation of the building for the public. The organization supports the training of volunteers who serve nearly 150,000 visitors each year through specifically designed tours.
Friends also sponsors Under the Dome Gifts, a gift shop featuring Vermont products and talent that operates through the summer, fall, and on an abbreviated basis during the winter’s legislative season. (The shop kiosk is currently located near the State House Cafeteria.)
Our Mission and Vision
All of our activities are developed to cultivate public accessibility and awareness. We work closely with the State Curator's office, the Legislature, and government officials to ensure that the historical and symbolic dignity of the building enhances its vital contemporary function. Our Vermont State House is unique in continuing to host legislators in chambers that are once again substantially identical to their original design.

Please consider volunteering with the Friends to guide tours or staff the gift shop.

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Our Mission

TOURS & VOLUNTEER WORK

Many men and women donate their time and talents to serving on the board of trustees, leading tours, organizing, and staffing the gift kiosk. They also plan events and help develop educational materials. Funds and donations generated by a variety of activities are directed to the State House collections and the ongoing conservation of the building.

Interpretation & Education

The Friends of the State House and the State Curator’s Office have been working jointly toward the creation of a new interpretive plan for the State House—a chance to evaluate the stories the building currently tells its public—and to further identify the stories we feel ought to be told.

current INITIATIVES

A portrait Of Alexander Twilight has recently been installed in the State House. The Friends of the Vermont State House and the National Life Insurance Company joined the Vermont State Curator’s Office in commissioning a portrait of Alexander Twilight, the first African-American legislator in the United States.

Our Volunteers

We are especially interested in volunteer tour guides who are able to provide school tours during the Legislative Session and volunteers to run the gift kiosk and Under the Dome Gift Shop.

Interested in being a part of a dedicated group of volunteers sharing Vermont’s history and way of governing in one of Vermont’s greatest buildings?

Using the same formula of mixing fun with learning, the Friends sponsor field trips to other historic places in Vermont for the dedicated volunteers working in the State House.

An appreciation luncheon is hosted each year by the Friends to thank volunteers who guide school groups and other visitors through the building, those who manage and staff the Under the Dome Gift Shop, and those who serve on the Friends Board of Trustees.

These events, as well as the organization’s annual meeting and commemorative receptions, tap the expertise and speaking talent of some of Vermont’s noted historians, writers, architects, humanities scholars, and museum professionals.

Friends of the Vermont State House