4109 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482
As you drive down Shelburne Road, you are struck by two things: the natural beauty of Lake Champlain to your right (if driving south) and the presence of development to your left.[1] You pass a string of car dealerships and chain restaurants that seem ingongruos with the vista and what Vermont is largely known for, its unspoiled beauty. As you continue your drive you will be treated to some of the more interesting tourist destinations in the Champlain Valley. The Shelburne Museum sits on its hill, overlooking the valley and the lake. It’s a museum, not only of art, of which it has some exceptional examples of Marie Cassatt, Degas, and even Andre Wyeth. The Shelburne Museum is also home to buildings and history of Vermont itself. Carefully preserved for future generations against the rising tide of urbanization and “progress,” you will find round barns, the occasional lighthouse, and even a retired ferry.
Shelburne, Vermont was founded first by New Hampshire.[2] On August 18, 1763, Governor Benning Wentworth and associates founded the town. The name “Shelburne,” or “Shelburn,” was picked to honor William Perry the Second Earl of Shelburne, who was a member of the British Parliament and Prime Minister. Some notable people who lived in Shelburne include Electra Webb and William Seward and future Governor Richard Shelling.
Travel further down the road, and you will pass the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, where you can get a customized bear that comes with a lifetime warranty.[3] Tours of the factory can be arranged where you can observe the staff assembling bears, all by hand, no advanced mechanization or automation.
Not quite on the road, but worth the side trip, is Shelburne Farms. The Webbs again loom large in the valley and, in 1886, William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb began to purchase land for a farm and agricultural estate. As a model farm, it became famous for its breeding and farming techniques and practices. After a while the farm began to struggle, and it was decided in 1972 to form a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the farm and its history for future generations of Vermonters. The farm still operates as a living agricultural working museum. The farm is simply breathtaking in its scope and view over the valley. Tours and hayrides will take you up to some of the most striking farm houses you will ever see, having been designed by renowned Architect Robert H. Robertson. Kids can “meet a sheep” or participate in a “chicken roundup.” It is worth the diversion from the main road, especially for the free cheese tasting.
Travel along Shelburne Road, and you will also find a little place on the road called Archie’s Grill. Step inside, and you will see a typical burger and fries joint. You step up to the counter and the person who takes your order is most likely the person who will be cooking your meal just moments later. There is no table service and seating is limited, so be prepared during the lunchtime rush. As you look around the small but cozy restaurant, the first thing you notice is the Norman Rockwell prints that adorn the walls. Be careful not to dismiss the decorations as mere Americana kitsch. The owner or Archie’s Grill, as noted in their menu, his uncle was featured as a model in Norman Rockwell’s famous Four Freedoms series of prints. Carl Edgerton served as the model for the man standing in a community meeting in “the Freedom of Speech” painting Norman Rockwell illustrated in 1943. In fact, according to the owner, the painting itself was inspired when the artist viewed Mr. Edgerton’s father stand up in a town meeting in Vermont.
Archie’s serves typical burgers and fries, but not without its local flavor and twist. Try the Vermont Bacon Cheese Burger, a burger with a splash of real Vermont maple syrup![4] Archie’s fries its own chips, which are fresh and delicious. As for the onion rings, they are Guinness-infused and come out large-cut, dark and sweet. The beer adds a smoky, hoppy flavor to the rings, which are served in generous portions.
RING RATING: Four out of Five stars.
[1] Once again, if driving south.
[2] Soon, both New York and New Hampshire would lay claim to Vermont before its independence.
[3] No matter the condition. If you return it with the tag and one of the eyes, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company will fix or replace your bear for free.
[4] Accept no substitutes.
