There’s something remarkable about a building that has outlasted everything around it by more than 165 years, still standing, still welcoming visitors, and still telling the story of the people who built it. The Shushan Covered Bridge Museum is exactly that kind of place.

Tucked into the quiet hamlet of Shushan in the southern corner of Washington County, it’s a must-stop for anyone who loves history you can actually touch.

The Shushan Covered Bridge is one of four covered bridges still standing in Washington County, and it’s the only one owned and maintained by the Town of Shushan itself. That distinction matters. It speaks to how deeply this community has taken ownership of its own heritage. 

Built in 1858 by brothers Milton and James Stevens, this 161-foot-long, two-span structure incorporates the Town lattice truss design, patented in 1820 and again in 1835 by Ithiel Town of New Haven, Connecticut. The truss design was a breakthrough in its day: by 1840 it had become one of a few standard types chosen by local builders because of its ease of construction. 

The construction process itself is a story worth knowing. The bridge trusses were laid out and assembled on the village green beside the railroad depot, then drawn by oxen to the bridge site where they were erected over the river on a system of false work. Imagine that: an entire bridge frame built in the center of town, then hauled into place by huge animals. That’s 19th-century engineering at its most resourceful. 

Fun fact: Although the Shushan Covered Bridge was officially posted for a safe load of 5 tons, it’s been estimated that this 80-ton bridge could have safely carried six times that amount.

Just over a century later, in 1962, a new steel bridge was built. This bypassed the Shushan Covered Bridge, which remained standing for over a decade as the longest single span covered bridge on the Batten Kill.

At that time, local preservationists stepped up to the plate to save this historic local landmark. The near-miss was dramatic: a leaking roof caused damage to the upper chords, leading to its near collapse in 1974. It was an alert crew of Shushan residents who noticed the bridge visibly sagging, and managed to prop it up temporarily with telephone poles!

That moment of crisis became a turning point. In May 1974, the Shushan Covered Bridge Association was founded by John Rich and Carleton Foster and grew to include most of the residents of Shushan. Their all-volunteer group banded together to buy the bridge from the county for just $1.00, which is equal to about $6.70 in 2026. They then erected a new center pier to hold up the structure and installed a new roof. In the end, a community saved its own landmark, and a museum was born.

On March 8, 1978, all four of Washington County’s covered bridges (including the Shushan Covered Bridge) were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Later on, the Shushan Covered Bridge and School House Museum also became an official New York State Path Through History destination.

What’s Inside the Shushan Covered Bridge and School House Museum

Nowadays, the bridge is living a second life as the Shushan Covered Bridge and School House Museum.

Within, you’ll find a collection of period machinery and farm implements, many in working order. Unlike museums who hide artifacts behind velvet ropes and glass cases, this museum is hands-on. It invites visitors to get close, ask questions, and gain an in-depth understanding of what rural living was really like in the 19th century.

Plus, the Shushan Covered Bridge’s collection boasts an authenticity no catalog purchase could ever replicate. Most of the tool collection was donated by local farmers throughout the Shushan area, forging a direct connection between the museum and the surrounding land.

Inside, visitors can also see bridge models showing details of the two types of construction used in the county’s covered bridges, acting as a handy reference for anyone touring all four of Washington County’s historic spans.

Here’s what one visitor to the museum had to say:

“I was so impressed with all I saw inside the Covered Bridge and in the school that I want to go back again. I think it would be a good trip for senior citizens to take and maybe bring back times of old.”

– Judy Judkins Provo

The Schoolhouse Next Door 

This museum’s experience doesn’t end at the bridge! A few yards from the bridge entrance stands a one-room schoolhouse continuously attended by local children from 1852 to 1943.

These days, the school invites visitors to the Museum to step back in time to the 19th century. Fully furnished with period-accurate desks, texts and decor, it now serves as a time capsule for education in that era.

Nearly a century of students passed through those doors, making it one of the more powerful reminders of everyday life in rural Washington County.

Plan Your Visit to the Shushan Covered Bridge and School House Museum

Planning a visit to the Shushan Covered Bridge and School House Museum? There are a few things you should know about this all-volunteer museum.

• ADDRESS: 13 County Route 64A, Shushan, NY, United States, 12873
• PHONE: 518-677-8251 (Special appointments available through prior arrangement)
• ADMISSION: Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
• HOURS OF OPERATION & SEASONALITY: Open 1 – 4 p.m. in Spring (Memorial Day Weekend through July 4th Weekend) on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; Summer (July 4th Weekend through Labor Day Weekend) daily except Monday and Tuesday; and Fall (Labor Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend) on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

On the other hand, as the museum operators say, if you see the “OPEN” flag outside, come on in!

More Fun Things To Do Nearby

If you’re looking to supplement your visit to the Shushan Covered Bridge and School House Museum, there are a variety of options to choose from.

Nearby, visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and scenic swimming available at The Georgi on the Battenkill in the heart of Shushan, NY.

Or, head to Salem to explore the hotbed of creativity that is Salem Art Works (and its Cary Hill Sculpture Park), or catch a performance at the Fort Salem Theater or the Historic Salem Courthouse. Need an energy boost for further exploration? Visit Salem’s On a Limb Bakery for some tasty coffee, delicious food and delightful company! Then, head up the road to the famous Battenkill Valley Creamery for some simply unbeatable ice cream.

More great options await in nearby Cambridge. There, you’ll find plenty of small businesses ranging from vineyards and antique shops to Battenkill Books, named one of the top bookstores in the United States in 2025!

Additionally, those looking to dive deeper into local history can explore other locations along the History Trail, or visit the other memorable museums within the county.

Whatever you choose, you’ll have a great time seeing, tasting and exploring the best of Washington County, NY.