Visitor Information
We are committed to providing the safest environment for the health and safety of our visitors and staff.
LOCATION: 16 S. Main St, Rutland, VT 05701
VISIT: Thursday–Friday, 10am–5pm; and Saturday, 10am–3pm
Click to learn how you can rent the Chaffee for your event.
ADMISSION: By Donation.
We are a non-endowed and non-profit community art center and rely on donations to keep us viable and a resource for the community and beyond. Donations are essential and very much appreciated!
GUIDED TOURS: $10 single; Click for pricing of 10 people or more
(Learn about the Chaffee family that built and lived in the mansion. Explore the architecture, hidden gems, family secrets, local lore and more)
EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN:
- NEW! Pollinator Gardens
- Queen Anne Victorian Mansion
- Built in 1890’s by George Thrall Chaffee who lived here with his wife and 3 children
- First owners called it Sunny Gables
- Family lived in mansion until 1930’s
- Listed on both National and State Registers of Historic Places
- Syrian arch front entrance
- Exterior of first floor locally machine-cut marble blocks
- Foyer Chandelier with metal dragons is actually orginal to the mansion
- Three-story corner tower with gothic windows
- Elegant porte cochere
- Interior parquet floors with intricate moldings
- 4 magnificent fireplaces, all unique with one displaying part of an Indian legend
- Master bedroom of birds eye maple
- Master bathroom with original fixtures, grand mirror and huge claw foot-tub
- “History Room” with linens from the 1800’s that was once a sitting room for the lady of the house, becoming a bedroom for one of the daughters
- One of first to have: central heating, gas lighting, indoor plumbing
- There is a custom made cat door for their pet
- By looking at door handles you can tell where the family resided versus the servant’s quarters where they worked and lived
- Building uninhabited until 1961 when loaned to Rutland Area Art Association (RAAA) for seasonally exhibiting work of Vermont artists
- RAAA purchased the mansion in 1982
- 1986 it became a year round art center
- Chaffee is non endowed, non profit 501c3
ACCESSIBILITY:
Please note that the second floor of our 1890s Queen Anne Victorian Mansion is only accessible via the grand staircase. The 1st Floor with bathroom are accessible by a ramp from the parking lot to the wrap around porch and in the front door. Please also enjoy the gardens. We have over a dozen on our historic property including a 100-foot Pollinator Garden and a Sculpture Garden.
Mask Policy:
• If not feeling well, please mask.
Location and map
The Chaffee Art Center is located on Route 7 at 16 South Main Street in Rutland, Vermont across from Main Street Park where Art in The Park is held annually. Parking is in the rear of the building with driveway entrances from Route 7 and from East Center Street.