WINDSOR COUNTY

County Offices
12 The Green
Woodstock 802-457-2121

Chamber of Commerce
56 Main Street
Springfield 802-885-2779
https://www.springfieldvt.com/

Distinguished as the largest county in Vermont in terms of square miles, Windsor County is strategically situated as an “Eastern Gateway” region, graced by the rolling Connecticut River. Newcomers will discover bustling urban centers, lovely rural towns, and quaint villages as well as picturesque fields in this vibrant and diverse area near the New Hampshire-Vermont border.


Services
Residents of Windsor County enjoy convenient access to a comprehensive network of healthcare facilities and services. Springfield Hospital is a subsidiary of Springfield Medical Care Systems, which also operates a network of eight community health centers throughout the region. Serving as a regional healthcare center, the hospital is a certified critical access hospital that draws patients from communities in southeastern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire. Another regional healthcare facility is the White River Junction VA Medical Center, delivering services to eligible veterans in Vermont and four neighboring counties in New Hampshire. The town of Windsor is home to Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, a progressive community hospital with a 24-hour emergency center that garnered the honor of Vermont EMS Hospital of the Year. The health center provides inpatient beds for acute care, a separate rehabilitation unit, and an award-winning nursing home to meet a wide variety of routine and specialized needs. The Windsor campus also offers an active outpatient clinic with primary care providers and specialists in more than 20 fields. The Ottauquechee Health Center is located in Woodstock, providing yet another location in Windsor County where residents can access primary and specialty care professionals.

Education is a lifelong pursuit in Windsor County, where students of all ages in all stages of life can choose from outstanding public and private schools, colleges, and universities. The Community College of Vermont maintains learning centers in Springfield and White River Junction. Part of the Vermont State College system, CCV has been recognized for its innovative programming and the delivery of affordable, high quality higher education where students live and work. One of the most comprehensive and convenient academic resources in Windsor County is the Howard Dean Education Center in Springfield, bringing together a remarkable range of learning opportunities that are presented by leading educational institutions. Educational partners include the Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, Learning Partners Child Center, the Three River Valley Regional Business Educational Partnership, the River Valley Technical Center, Vermont Interactive Television, Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Technical College, and the University of Vermont. Private colleges include the unique Center for Cartoon Studies, where internationally recognized artists serve on staff. The liberal arts institution of Middlebury College in Middlebury provides a first-class undergraduate education as well as many enrichment programs, from summer Language Schools to the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference that brings together hundreds of authors and aspiring writers. Franklin Pierce University in nearby New Hampshire offers a small, private, liberal arts institution with a focus on personalized attention and high-quality instruction. The university consists of the College at Rindge and the College of Graduate & Professional Studies, where degrees are offered through the doctoral level.

Lifestyle
Beautiful and expansive Windsor County welcomes newcomers to a region that is both rich in history and brimming over with unique amenities and attractions. Anchored by the leading town of Springfield, this area provides easy access to the finest of urban advantages and world-class recreational opportunities. The shopping is delightful in quaint village centers like Woodstock or the vibrant, historic downtown district of Springfield, lined with locally owned shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and friendly services. “The Vermont Quality of Life” is evident throughout Windsor County, a blend of historic preservation, progressive services, and breathtaking natural beauty. Residents enjoy four-season recreation, from every imaginable winter sport to bicycle touring, mountain biking, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, boating, golfing, horseback riding, and playing tennis. State parks combine with major recreational sites like the Springweather Nature Area, Hartness Park, and the North Springfield Bog to offer a scenic background and varied terrain for outdoor adventures. One of Vermont’s most popular destinations is located in Windsor County, the historic Woodstock Inn & Resort, with its 18-hole golf course, ski touring center, sports center, and Suicide Six Ski Area.

Distinctive attractions dot the region’s towns and countryside, including Springfield’s 1904 Craftsman-era mansion of Governor Hartness, the oldest existing one-room schoolhouse in Vermont, and the Miller Art Center that houses the Springfield Art & Historical Society. The town of Woodstock has developed into a well-known arts destination filled with fine galleries, studios, quaint shops, colorful fairs, and exciting events. Nearby Fairlee is home to wonderful restaurants and cafes as well as year-round activities for active adults and families. The visual and performing arts are well represented in delightful venues, along with summer concerts in the park and colorful annual festivals. The varied countryside offers Vermont’s quintessential brilliance, from fall foliage to spring blooms and winter’s wonderland. The mountains in Quechee provide a spectacular terrain for winter sports and four-season recreation, crowned by the phenomenal geographical treasure of Quechee Gorge. The residential choices in Windsor County are as attractive and diverse and the landscape, ranging from cozy urban neighborhoods to classic New England towns and villages. Historic homes from colonials to Victorians harmonize with handsome new construction and country manors on multi-acre lots in this land-rich region. Whatever your lifestyle choice may be, the ideal home is waiting in beautiful Windsor County.

Chester
Town Offices
802-875-2173
https://www.chestervt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-228-5830
https://ourchester.com/

The town of Chester has evolved from its agricultural roots into a wonderful residential community that retains a scattering of farmland blending with modern, environmentally friendly light manufacturing. Residents enjoy fine restaurants, casual cafes, locally owned shops, antique stores, and cultural events. In recent years, the town has developed a brisk tourist industry by maintaining the charm of its Victorian village and the beauty of the rural countryside. Many wonderful inns are available, adding to the town’s attraction as a vacation destination. Chester also enjoys an ideal location in close proximity to several ski areas including Okemo, Mount Snow, and Killington. Newcomers will discover a wonderful sense of community, well-managed services, and many active clubs and organizations. Recreational opportunities are abundant in and near the town, including bicycle touring, boating, swimming, water sports, hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, and fishing.

Hartford, Quechee, White River Junction
Town Offices
802-295-9353
https://www.hartford-vt.org/
Chamber of Commerce
802-295-7900
https://www.hartfordvtchamber.com/

Often referred to as “Vermont’s Gateway Community” in the heart of the Upper Valley region, the town of Hartford fringes the New Hampshire-Vermont border. The area offers the transportation efficiencies of Interstates 89 and 91 as well as US Routes 4 and 5, providing easy access to regional destinations including renowned educational and medical facilities like Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Hartford’s terrain is graced by the beauty of the Connecticut, Ottauquechee, and White rivers. The town is probably most famous for the hamlet of Quechee, crowned by the Quechee Lakes Resort, one of the finest in New England for seasonal and year-round owners. Quechee Gorge on the Ottauquechee River is known as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon” and distinguished as one of New England’s natural wonders. Other villages within the town include Hartford, West Hartford, White River Junction, and Wilder. Newcomers will discover historic preservation, modern amenities, a wonderful hometown spirit, family-centered values, excellent schools, and world-class recreational opportunities around the four seasons.

Hartland
Town Offices
802-436-2444
https://hartland.govoffice.com/

Chamber of Commerce
802-295-7900
https://www.hartfordvtchamber.com/

Situated just west of the Connecticut River, the town of Hartland is also located near the New Hampshire-Vermont state line. This area is well known as the site of Sumner’s Falls, a notoriously treacherous spot for canoeists on the Connecticut River. Like many Vermont towns, Hartland is steeped in history. Probably the most notable work of preservation is the 1811 David Sumner House, which now serves as a popular inn and rental facility known as the Sumner Mansion. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house is a fine example of the brick, hip-roofed, Federal-style residences that were common in the Connecticut River Valley at the beginning of the 19th century. Other examples of this historic architectural style are the Bischoff House, the Harlow-Godine House, and the Gilson-Mills house. Rural in character, Hartland is well-served by Interstate 91 and US Routes 5 and 12 for commuting ease to regional destinations. Residents enjoy the serenity of small-town living, a quaint village center, and nearby recreational amenities that are among the finest in Vermont. Mountains for winter sports, rivers and lakes for water sports, and hiking and bicycling trails through the scenic countryside are all easily accessible from Hartland.

Ludlow
Ludlow Town/Village Offices
802-228-2841
https://www.ludlow.vt.us/

Chamber of Commerce
802-228-5830
https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/

Selecting as its slogan, “A Better Place to Live, Work & Play,” the town and village of Ludlow nestles at the base of the famous Okemo Mountain Resort, surrounded by farmland and granite quarries. Formerly known as Ludlow Mountain, today’s Okemo Mountain was renamed for the wonderful ski area and resort that has spurred growth and transformation of the town and village. Many skiers and snowboarders are drawn to the area, driving vibrant new amenities that blend beautifully with the area’s historic New England charm. Ludlow is just one of several communities that are cradled in the Okemo Valley of the Green Mountains, an area that has become a four-season destination for visitors and vacationers. One of the unique highlights in Ludlow is the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts. Nearby Weston features Vermont’s oldest award-winning regional theatre, the Weston Playhouse. Other regional attractions include first-rate golf clubs, the Okemo Valley Golf Academy, and equestrian centers.

Norwich
Town Offices
802-649-1419
https://norwich.vt.us/

Chamber of Commerce
802-295-7900
https://www.hartfordvtchamber.com/

Recognized as one of Vermont’s more desirable towns for relocating professionals and families, Norwich draws newcomers to the classic charm of a New England community. Residents also appreciate the serenity of a quaint, small-town setting in close proximity to downtown Hanover, Dartmouth College, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and Interstate 91. The focal point of the town is the postcard-perfect village center that serves as the hub of community life. Historic preservation is a hallmark of Norwich, where the first grammar school in Vermont was built in 1785. The public school building that currently sits on the Village Green was built in the late 19th century, and the Norwich Inn on Main Street that was established in 1797 is still operating today. Just a short commute from Norwich, residents enjoy four-season recreational opportunities against scenic backdrops that include rolling rivers, sparkling lakes, alpine splendor, and open countryside.

Springfield
Town Offices
802-885-2104
https://springfieldvt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-885-2779
https://www.springfieldvt.com/

The town of Springfield boasts a unique identity as the “Cradle of Inventions” and “Precision Valley,” both paying homage to the many notable inventions that were developed by local residents. This historic town was settled in 1752 along the Connecticut and Black rivers just 30 miles north of the busting town of Brattleboro. Residents enjoy the vibrancy of a fully developed community, excellent schools, efficient services, established amenities, and an easy commute to regional destinations via nearby Interstate 91. Wonderful shops, galleries, gracious inns, and fine restaurants dot the town and line the thoroughfares of Routes 10 and 12. Points of interest include the 1785 Eureka Schoolhouse and its display of 19th century educational materials, the Springfield Art & Historical Society at the Miller Art Center, and the Hartness House Observatory and Basement Workshop Museum. The latter preserves the place where James Hartness and Russell Porter produced the conceptual drawings for the Hale 200-inch reflector that perches on Mount Palomar in California. Four-season recreational opportunities are available close to home, including every imaginable winter sport, water sports, hiking, mountain biking, bicycle touring, camping, fishing, horseback riding, backpacking, and nature study.

Windsor
Town Offices
802-674-6786
https://www.windsorvt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-295-7900
https://www.hartfordvtchamber.com/

The historic yet progressive town of Windsor is best known as the birthplace of Vermont. Nestled in the scenic Connecticut River Valley, Windsor provides easy access to some of the finest ski resorts in the state and four-season recreational opportunities in breathtaking natural environments. Residents are also a half-hour’s drive from Woodstock and Hanover, New Hampshire—the home of Dartmouth College. Windsor balances the serenity of a welcoming residential community with a thriving local economy anchored by several major manufacturers. The major healthcare provider of Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is located here, serving a regional population with state-of-the-art services and local clinics. Some of the historic highlights in Windsor include the American Precision Museum, the historic Old Constitution House, and the longest double span covered bridge in the world between Windsor and Cornish in New Hampshire.

Woodstock
Town Offices
802-457-3456
https://townofwoodstock.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-295-7900
https://www.woodstockvt.com/

Known for its natural and developed beauty, the resort town of Woodstock draws residents and visitors to the charm of a quintessential New England village. Nestled between rolling green hills and the meandering Ottauquechee River, Woodstock was first settled in the 1700s by business and professional people who built large, lovely homes. Today’s Village Green remains a showcase of Federal architecture, although the crowning attraction is the historic Woodstock Inn & Resort. Gracious accommodations, fine dining, an 18-hole golf course, a ski touring center, a sports center, and the Suicide Six Ski Area are encompassed in this popular destination. Other highlights include the Billings Farm & Museum, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, the Recreation Center and Little Theater, and performing arts at the Town Hall. Residents enjoy a vibrant community with unique shops and galleries, artisan studios, country stores, and fine restaurants. A place of timeless beauty that is often referred to with adjectives like romantic and magical, Woodstock is a wonderful place to call home.

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