If you’re a history buff, you might like to visit Montpelier, Vermont’s capital city. It’s home to the 1859 Vermont State House, a gold-domed Greek Revival building filled with decorative art collections. Nearby, you can visit the state history museum. Another interesting place to visit is Hubbard Park, a beautiful wooded park with a stone observation tower. And if you want to see a play while visiting Montpelier, consider taking in one of the many productions produced by the Lost Nation Theater.
Coburn Covered Bridge
The Coburn Covered Bridge, built by Larned Coburn in the 1840s, crosses the Winooski River in East Montpelier, Vermont. The bridge is a queenpost structure and spans 69 feet over the river. In exchange for rerouting the town road, Coburn donated the bridge to the town. Today, the bridge contributes to the historic environment of East Montpelier.
The Coburn Covered Bridge in Montpeier has undergone a few restorations over the years. In the 1960s, rotting timbers led to sagging, so the wooden deck was replaced with a concrete slab. In 1972, the wooden deck was replaced with a self-supporting concrete slab. The hand-worked timbers of this historic bridge make it unique. In winter 1996-97, a small renovation was performed to maintain its beauty.
Today, the Coburn Covered Bridge is considered one of the most important historic resources in Vermont. It is the only remaining covered bridge in the East Montpelier area. Historically, covered bridges were built as a means of protecting wooden structures from the elements. Today, less than 100 of them remain in the country, but Vermont has the highest concentration of these historic buildings.
Another historic covered bridge in Vermont is the Great Eddy Bridge, located south of the city. This bridge was constructed in 1833 and restored in the 1970s. Its two sets of town lattice trusses were built to withstand heavy loads of pig iron drawn by oxen. Its 127-foot-long span makes it one of the longest covered bridges in Vermont.
Center for Arts and Learning
The Center for Arts and Learning in Montpelier provides space for artists, musicians, writers, and other cultural organizations to serve the community. The nonprofit center also provides elementary and middle school education, rehearsal space, and music lessons. Its renovation plans include a new front entrance door and restoring the building’s iron railings.
The Montpelier Art Center showcases the work of local artists and hosts local events and performances. The center is the heart of Montpelier’s arts scene. It also hosts an award-winning resident professional theater company, Lost Nation Theater, since 1989. Located inside of Montpelier’s City Hall Auditorium, it offers performances and art films at affordable prices.
Montpelier Vermont Museum
The Montpelier Vermont Museum offers a range of exhibits from early American history to modern times. Its award-winning permanent exhibit, Freedom and Unity: One Ideal, Many Stories, takes visitors on a 350-year journey through the state’s history. The exhibit spans 5,000 square feet in the Pavilion building in downtown Montpelier and includes an authentic full-scale Abenaki wigwam, a railroad station with a working telegraph, and a WWII living room. In addition to the museum’s exhibits, the museum has a large collection of products to purchase and take home.
The museum is free and open to the public. Free tours and tastings are offered. The museum is also home to a nature trail and a museum of Vermont farm life. The museum is also the headquarters of the state historical society, and offers several exhibits and programs that teach about Vermont’s history.
The Vermont Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that connects residents and scholars to the state’s rich cultural history. Their administrative offices are located in the old Spaulding School Building in Barre, while their Leahy Library and book shop are in Montpelier. The Vermont Historical Society’s Montpelier museum is located in the Pavilion building east of the State House.
The Vermont Historical Society has a website, Vermont History Explorer, which is geared toward children. It features maps, documents, and over 200 grade-appropriate articles about Vermont history. In addition to the Leahy Library, the museum has an extensive collection of fine art and agricultural tools dating back to the pre-contact era. In addition, the museum’s Vermont Women’s History Project highlights the role of women in Vermont’s history. It also offers programs and resources for women.
Bragg Farm Sugar House
If you’ve been looking for a unique Vermont experience, Bragg Farm Sugar House & Gift Shop is a must-visit. The family-owned sugarhouse has been in business for eight generations and features a museum and an outdoor nature trail. The farm also offers free maple syrup tastings and sugar house tours. It’s also home to several farm animals including rabbits, goats, and ponies. Stop by the gift shop for maple-themed candies and maple-flavored goodies.
While you’re there, don’t miss the Wayside Restaurant, which opened in 1918. Locals enjoy the ice cream and other bakery items on the menu here. The restaurant also offers gluten-free options. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or just a foodie, you’ll find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Another Montpelier attraction is Cold Hollow Cider Mill. The cider mill produces hard ciders, which is a popular drink in Montpelier. Its tasting room is open daily in the fall and twice weekly during other seasons. While you’re there, be sure to stop in for a hot cider donut.
Montpelier has a vibrant arts and cultural scene. It also houses the state government buildings, which include the 1859 Vermont State House with its gold dome top. Visitors can also explore the town’s rich history by visiting the Vermont History Museum. The city is also home to the National Register of Historic Places-listed observation tower, which offers stunning views of the surrounding city skyline.
Visitors to Montpelier may also wish to see the Coburn Covered Bridge, which was completed in 1851. It’s the only remaining 19th century covered bridge in the city.
Wayside Restaurant, Bakery, and Creamery
The Wayside Restaurant, Bakery, and Creamery in Montpelier serves delicious food at affordable prices. You can enjoy a slice of pie or order a fresh-baked cookie. They also offer great coffee, lemonade, and apple juice. The atmosphere is cozy, and the service is friendly.
The Wayside Restaurant, Bakery, and Creamry in Montpelier is a family-owned restaurant. It serves old-fashioned comfort food made from Vermont ingredients. It offers daily specials, and you can enjoy a drink or beer from their own brewery. You can even have a veggie burger on a homemade honey-wheat bun. The restaurant has over 200 items on its menu and tries to have something for everyone.
The Wayside Restaurant, Bakery, and Creamery in Montpelier has been around since 1918. The owners, Karen and Brian Zecchinelli, are celebrating the restaurant’s 100th anniversary on July 29. The restaurant is now in the top one percent of restaurants for longevity, with only 240 restaurants having reached that milestone. The restaurant has a strong baseball tradition, and last Friday, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series. The Galfetti family offered to return to 1918 prices when the team won the championship.
