Shelburne, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Shelburne is a town
in southwestern Chittenden County
, Vermont
, United States
, along the shores of Lake Champlain
. The population was 7,144 at the 2010 census.
, August 18, 1763 to Jesse Hallock and sixty-four associates by Governor Benning Wentworth
. The name "Shelburne" or "Shelburn" was chosen to honor William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne
, a celebrated nobleman of the British Parliament and Prime Minister
. According to the charter, the town was to have an area of 23500 acres (95.1 km²), or a tract a little over 6 square miles (15.5 km²), but owing to a blunder on the part of the surveyors, it was shorn of a large portion of its possessions.
The town
of Shelburne comprises 22.3 square miles (57.8 km²). From the beginning, Shelburne's economy was based on farming. With the clearing of land and burning of logs the town experienced a potash boom. A carding and fulling mill, a gristmill
, a sawmill
, and a blacksmith shop were erected on the LaPlatte River at Shelburne Falls. In 1811, a few Merino sheep imported from Spain
led to an upsurge in sheep raising. Orchards and fruit growing became a major source of income for the farmers, with some 17,740 trees in 1880. Following the War of 1812, commerce on the lake expanded rapidly.
The Lake Champlain Transportation Company
established its shipyard at Shelburne Harbor and launched its first steamboat, the General Green in 1825, to be followed by ten others before the Ticonderoga
in 1906. In 1955, the Ticonderoga
was moved overland to the Shelburne Museum
where it is now on display.
, the town has a total area of 44.9 square miles (116.3 km2), of which 24.3 square miles (63.0 km2) is land and 20.6 square miles (53.3 km2) (45.85%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,944 people, 2,632 households, and 1,845 families residing in the town. The population density
was 285.6 people per square mile (110.3/km2). There were 2,741 housing units at an average density of 112.8 per square mile (43.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% White, 0.23% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.32% from other races
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.
There were 2,632 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were couples living together and joined in either marriage
or civil union
, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
for the town was $37,210. About 2.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
, Shelburne Farms
and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company
.
The town maintains a beach on Lake Champlain which has a boat launch and nature park.
The town is part of a Union School District and sends students of high school age to Champlain Valley Union High School
, Hinesburg
.
Private:
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in southwestern Chittenden County
Chittenden County, Vermont
Chittenden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 156,545. Its shire town is Burlington. Chittenden is the most populous county in the state, with more than twice as many residents as Vermont's second-most populous county, Rutland.Chittenden County...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the shores of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
. The population was 7,144 at the 2010 census.
History
Shelburne was chartered by New HampshireNew Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, August 18, 1763 to Jesse Hallock and sixty-four associates by Governor Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth was the colonial governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766.-Biography:The eldest child of the John Wentworth who had been Lieutenant Governor, he was born and died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wentworth graduated from Harvard College in 1715...
. The name "Shelburne" or "Shelburn" was chosen to honor William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne
William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne
William Petty-FitzMaurice, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, KG, PC , known as The Earl of Shelburne between 1761 and 1784, by which title he is generally known to history, was an Irish-born British Whig statesman who was the first Home Secretary in 1782 and then Prime Minister 1782–1783 during the final...
, a celebrated nobleman of the British Parliament and Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
. According to the charter, the town was to have an area of 23500 acres (95.1 km²), or a tract a little over 6 square miles (15.5 km²), but owing to a blunder on the part of the surveyors, it was shorn of a large portion of its possessions.
The town
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
of Shelburne comprises 22.3 square miles (57.8 km²). From the beginning, Shelburne's economy was based on farming. With the clearing of land and burning of logs the town experienced a potash boom. A carding and fulling mill, a gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
, a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
, and a blacksmith shop were erected on the LaPlatte River at Shelburne Falls. In 1811, a few Merino sheep imported from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
led to an upsurge in sheep raising. Orchards and fruit growing became a major source of income for the farmers, with some 17,740 trees in 1880. Following the War of 1812, commerce on the lake expanded rapidly.
The Lake Champlain Transportation Company
Lake Champlain Transportation Company
The Lake Champlain Transportation Company provides car and passenger ferry service at four points on Lake Champlain in the United States. From 1976 to 2003, it was owned by Burlington, Vermont, businessman Raymond C. Pecor, Jr. who is Chairman of the company's board...
established its shipyard at Shelburne Harbor and launched its first steamboat, the General Green in 1825, to be followed by ten others before the Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga (steamboat)
The steamboat Ticonderoga is America’s last remaining side-paddle-wheel passenger steamer with a vertical beam engine of the type that provided freight and passenger service on America’s lakes and rivers from the early 19th to the mid-20th centuries...
in 1906. In 1955, the Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga (steamboat)
The steamboat Ticonderoga is America’s last remaining side-paddle-wheel passenger steamer with a vertical beam engine of the type that provided freight and passenger service on America’s lakes and rivers from the early 19th to the mid-20th centuries...
was moved overland to the Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum is a museum of art and Americana located in Shelburne, Vermont, United States. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the Museum grounds...
where it is now on display.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 44.9 square miles (116.3 km2), of which 24.3 square miles (63.0 km2) is land and 20.6 square miles (53.3 km2) (45.85%) is water.
Government
The town had the highest voter turnout in Vermont in the general election 2008 with 89.4%. It had the highest number of registered voters among the top ten towns with the highest turnout. It also had the second highest percentage of people voting absentee of any town in Vermont, 50.2%.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,944 people, 2,632 households, and 1,845 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 285.6 people per square mile (110.3/km2). There were 2,741 housing units at an average density of 112.8 per square mile (43.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% White, 0.23% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.32% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.
There were 2,632 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were couples living together and joined in either marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
or civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
Economy
The town contains businesses, including manufacturers, service providers, retail establishments and the State's largest continuing care retirement community. In 2007 a historic inn was converted into a mixed use array of offices, small retail, and a restaurant.Personal income
The median income for a household in the town was $68,091, and the median income for a family was $78,492. Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,429 for females. The per capita incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $37,210. About 2.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Tourism
The town has three tourist attractions, the Shelburne MuseumShelburne Museum
Shelburne Museum is a museum of art and Americana located in Shelburne, Vermont, United States. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the Museum grounds...
, Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms is a nonprofit environmental education center and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain in Shelburne, Vermont. It is also one of the principal concert sites for the Vermont Mozart Festival....
and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Vermont Teddy Bear Company
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is one of the largest producers of teddy bears and the largest seller of teddy bears by mail order and Internet. The company handcrafts each of its teddy bears and produces almost 500,000 teddy bears each year...
.
The town maintains a beach on Lake Champlain which has a boat launch and nature park.
Transportation
Bus service is provided by Chittenden County Transportation Authority.Schools
Public:- Shelburne Community School (elementary and middle school)
The town is part of a Union School District and sends students of high school age to Champlain Valley Union High School
Champlain Valley Union High School
Champlain Valley Union High School is a high school located in the town of Hinesburg, Vermont. The school serves the communities of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston, and St. George. The enrollment for the 2007-2008 school year was 1,388 students with 113 faculty...
, Hinesburg
Hinesburg, Vermont
Hinesburg is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Abel Hine, town clerk. The population was 4,340 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
.
Private:
- The Renaissance School (elementary and middle school; has a Shelburne campus)
- The Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Notable people
- Sam BartlettSam BartlettSam Bartlett is an American performer, and author.- Life:Bartlett was born in Shelburne, Vermont, where he stayed until after university. He taught himself to play the banjo as a teenager and got a university degree in geography to become a full-time musician.Bartlett came up with tricks and wrote...
, musician and author (1961-present) - Madeleine Kunin, governor of Vermont (1985–1991).
- Kevin LepageKevin LepageKevin Lepage is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #52 car, for Jimmy Means Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Lepage is the only NASCAR driver from Vermont to qualify for the Daytona 500.-Early career:...
, driver with NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
.. - Lucius LyonLucius LyonLucius Lyon was a U.S. statesman from the state of Michigan. He was born in Shelburne, Vermont, where he received a common school education and studied engineering and surveying...
, first senator from Michigan. - Ezra MeechEzra MeechEzra Meech was a United States Representative from Vermont. He was born in New London, Connecticut and moved to Hinesburg, Vermont in 1785. He attended the common schools and also engaged in the fur trade in the Northwest and in ship-timber contracts in Canada...
(1773–1856), congressman. - George A. MeigsGeorge Anson MeigsGeorge Anson Meigs was a prominent entrepreneur, businessman and shipbuilder in Washington Territory.He was the eighth child of Whiting Meigs and Charlotte Meigs...
(1816–1897), prominent entrepreneur and shipbuilder in the Washington TerritoryWashington TerritoryThe Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 8, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington....
. - Barbara Snelling, lieutenant governor of Vermont (1992–1996).
- Richard Snelling, governor of Vermont (1977–1985, 1991).
- Electra Havemeyer WebbElectra Havemeyer WebbElectra Havemeyer Webb was a collector of American antiques and founder of the Shelburne Museum.-Biography:Electra Havemeyer was born on August 16, 1888 to Henry O. Havemeyer and Louisine Elder, their youngest child...
(1888–1960), art collector and founder of the Shelburne MuseumShelburne MuseumShelburne Museum is a museum of art and Americana located in Shelburne, Vermont, United States. Over 150,000 works are exhibited in 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the Museum grounds...
. - Dr. William Seward WebbWilliam Seward WebbWilliam Seward Webb, M.D. was a businessman, and Inspector General of the Vermont militia with the rank of Colonel. He was a founder and former President of the Sons of the American Revolution.-Biography:...
(1851–1926), railroad executive and founder of Shelburne FarmsShelburne FarmsShelburne Farms is a nonprofit environmental education center and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain in Shelburne, Vermont. It is also one of the principal concert sites for the Vermont Mozart Festival....
.