Over more than a decade an amalgam of artifacts has been amassed at Main Street Museum in Vermont consisting of objects of varied origins—biological, mineralogical, and historical.

Artifacts from the local area, from the State of Vermont and from far-flung regions around the world are displayed in a manner that encourages their contemplation and study. Display cases, preservation workspaces, a reading room, and ample storage drawers encourage contemplation and study. Both the physical design of our space and the collections contained here are informed at least in part on the Wunderkammern which have historically merged wonder with exegesis.

This Museumological focus is designed to reflect the entire universe (as it has been understood by different people in different times.) This miniaturization of the cosmos requires a corresponding expansion of the human memory.

There are only two plots in the world. Someone goes on a trip. Someone comes to town. The stories behind objects are more interesting than the objects. The truth is always stranger than any plot we could make up.

Our goal in having a flickr account is to document both the artifacts and events that take place within the community of the museum. By making these photos accessible to everyone, we are encouraging feedback on the artifacts themselves, and welcome additional stories and information that people care to share.

We accession items based on the sustained interest that has been shown them and the attentiveness they demonstrate towards us. Perhaps the only true meaning in objects lies in the questions we ask them and in the questions each one of them asks of us.

For more information, please visit www.mainstreetmuseum.org/

And for more information on our artifacts, categories, and taxonomies, please go to www.mainstreetmuseum.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page