General Town Information

The Town of Shelburne is a small town lying on the shores of Lake Champlain in the southwestern part of Chittenden County. It was chartered by New Hampshire, August 18, 1763 to Jesse Hallock and sixty-four associates by Governor Benning Wentworth. The name 'Shelburne" or "Shelburn" was chosen to honor the Earl of Shelburne, a celebrated nobleman of the British Parliament. According to the charter, the town was to have an area of 23,500 acres, or a tract a little over six miles square; but owing to a blunder on the part of the surveyors, it was shorn of a large portion of its possessions.

Currently the town of Shelburne comprises 22.3 square miles. 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 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 1905.

Today Shelburne supports a variety of businesses, including manufacturers, a wide array of service providers and retail establishments and Wake Robin, the State's largest continuing care retirement community. Shelburne is also home to three of Vermont's most popular tourist attractions, the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. The current population is 6,266.

The Municipal offices are located on the west side of Route 7 in the village. (third drive on the right, south of the traffic light) A Town of Shelburne sign is located near the entrance. Within the complex is located the Town Clerk/Treasurer, Town Manager, Tax Collector, Town Planner/Zoning Coordinator, Town Assessor, Parks & Recreation and Water Department and Sewer Department. The Police Department is located in the same building in the east wing. The Fire Station is the large brick building next to the office complex with the three large red doors. The Rescue Department is located on Harbor Road across from Davis Park. It is next to the Highway Department also located on Harbor Road.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 4:30. The Town Offices are closed weekends and holidays. Contact the Shelburne Town Offices 802-985-5116 or 802-985-5110 P.O. Box 88 Shelburne, VT 05482