MIDDLEBURY — The Sheldon Museum is bursting with creativity and excitement this holiday season. Don’t miss the amazing operating train layout, Miniature Christmas Tree Raffle, and two exhibits featuring animals. 
In what has become an annual holiday tradition in Middlebury, the elaborate Lionel train layout is sure to delight all ages again this year. The assemblage stands three levels high, with tracks running Lionel O gauge trains, Lionel 027 gauge trains, and an upper track running HO trains. The Sheldon’s engineers have been busy behind the scenes making changes to the layout.
New this year is a remake of the cliffs on the skating pond plateau and a waterfall.  According to the Sheldon’s engineers, the water in the river and waterfall looks more like water than the real thing. The layout’s landscaping has been refreshed with new grass, dirt, rocks,  and trees. Returning this year is the big hit of last season, the operating gondola ski lift, skiers, snowboarders, and rock climbers. The backdrop of the Green Mountains painted by local artist Gayl Braisted adds atmosphere. Gabe the Lamplighter is also back, entertaining the crowds as he climbs the light tower.  The train layout is made possible by a team of volunteer engineers who will operate the trains from Dec. 7, 2019, through Jan. 11, 2020.
If you’re eager to see the trains in action before Dec. 7, there will be sneak peak days on Sat., Nov. 30 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 5 from 1-4 p.m. During the Holiday Open House, trains will run Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Dec. 8, 12-4 p.m. Normal train operations will commence on Dec. 9-Jan. 11: Tuesday-Friday from 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Sundays (Dec. 15 and 22) from 1-3 p.m. 
Refer to the Sheldon’s website for an up-to-date schedule or call the Sheldon ahead of time to confirm that the engineer is present.
MINIATURE TREES
This year, the Sheldon’s annual Miniature Christmas Tree Raffle features 16 one-of-a-kind miniature Christmas trees decorated by generous local artists, to be raffled in support of the Museum’s children’s activities. This year’s trees include: Lauren Taddeo’s “Joy to the World” tree decked with items that were donated to Sweet Charity in Vergennes; traditional Swedish straw ornaments adorn Joy MacIntyre and her granddaughter Elle’s tree “God Jul”; Jonathan Connor from the National Bank of Middlebury created “A Child’s Dream” bursting with toys and games; Tawnya and Mike Kiernan’s tree “Bees on Earth” celebrates all things bees including beeswax tea lights, ornaments, and a gift certificate for three jars of honey. The raffle drawing is on Friday, Dec. 20.
EXHIBITS
During a visit to the Sheldon this holiday season, visitors will enjoy seeing “The Animals Are Innocent,”  a mixed media/ceramic  exhibit of colorful boat sculptures  and  paintings featuring animals by Maryland artist, ceramist, author, and illustrator Dana Simson.  The whimsical artwork relays the powerful message of how animals are losing both habitat and food sources as they face the effects of climate change. Also on view are wood carvings of birds and forest animals by Shoreham artist Chuck Herrmann.
Regular admission to the museum is $5 for adults; $3 for youth (6-18); $4.50 for seniors; and $12 for a family.  For more information, call the Henry Sheldon Museum at (802) 388-2117 or visit henrysheldonmuseum.org.