Old Bennington is a unique village of historic homes from the Revolutionary, Antebellum and Victorian eras. They remain the finest collection of these architectural styles in all of Vermont. The dominant architectural style is Federal and homes built later, into the 20th century also favored this style. The village is one mile west of the town of Bennington and has its own governance. It was designated a National Historic District in 1984.
Directly across from the village green lies a remarkable cemetery of Revolutionary War heroes as well as other notables including Robert Frost and his immediate family.
The Old First Church was restored in 1937 using the original plans of its master builder and architect, Lavius Fillmore. It was the first church in Vermont. The first minister of this Congregational Church was Rev. Jedidiah Dewey and his home still remains in the village along with the homes of many other early settlers and leaders of this village.
Chartered in 1749 and settled in 1761, we owe a debt of gratitude to Captain Samuel Robinson who discovered Bennington. Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire had been charged by King George to settle this territory. Mistaking the Hoosac River for the Hudson River, Robinson upon returning with his soldiers from his exploration of “The Wilderness” known today as Vermont secured the first grant given and named after the governor in 1749. Endowed with natural beauty, located on a wide plateau west of the town Bennington, Old Bennington has become a remarkable place to own a home.
When the post office officially moved in 1848 to what is now known as Bennington, the original settlement became Old Bennington. Over time Old Bennington evolved into a residential village as businesses moved to the larger community of Bennington. The village remains largely residential but three small businesses remain as well as an elementary school that is within the regional school system. The Bennington Museum, also in the Village features a collection of Grandma Moses’s paintings and broad array of items significant to the local history.
One outstanding example of bygone days is reflected in the Walloomsac Inn which was originally built by Jedidiah Dewey’s son Elijah in 1771 and still stands, though closed to the public. Know originally as The Dewey Tavern until after Elijah’s death in 1818, guests before and after the republic was founded included Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison among other notables of the time. The grandest feature in the village is The Bennington Battle Monument commemorating The Battle of Bennington, a significant turning point in The Revolutionary War.
There are some 82 residences mostly on 2+ acres of land with sidewalks shaded by tall trees. We highly encourage you to get a feel for the village and its history by walking from the Old First Church and cemetery up Monument Avenue, stopping to read the commemorative plaques recognizing our heroes in the Revolutionary War and ending at the Bennington Battle Monument.
We are close to the many cultural and year round recreational activities throughout the region. If you cherish history and elegant historic and vintage homes you must put this village on your list of possibilities.
