CALEDONIA COUNTY

County Offices
1126 Main Street
St. Johnsbury 802-748-6600

Chamber of Commerce
2000 Memorial Drive
St. Johnsbury 802-748-3678
https://www.nekchamber.com/

Caledonia County is located in a region of Vermont that has been called the “Northeast Kingdom” for more than 60 years. Here, in one of the most naturally beautiful and pristine sections of the state, newcomers discover welcoming small towns, world-class recreational opportunities, and historic charm.

Services
First-rate educational opportunities are available to residents of all ages, from public and private elementary and secondary schools to some of the finest colleges in the nation. Lyndonville is home to Lyndon State College, one of the state-supported institutions of higher education in Vermont. Students can choose from scores of academic degree programs and minor specializations in two and four-year programs. Graduate programs are also available in education and science education. Those who are looking for an affordable start on a four-year degree may want to consider the Community College of Vermont, serving as many as 7,000 students each semester with innovative, convenient programming. CCV has earned national recognition for its unique methods for bringing opportunities for higher education to Vermont residents. With learning centers with 25 miles of nearly every address and more than 160 online and “hybrid” courses, CCV is as close as the nearest computer.

Advanced healthcare is anchored by Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, the only Vermont hospital designated as a “Baby Friendly” hospital by the United Nations. The hospital provides primary and preventive care, surgical and specialty services, comprehensive inpatient care, outpatient services, and 24-hour emergency services. The staff at NVRH is dedicated to providing outstanding routine and specialty services to the residents of St. Johnsbury and surrounding communities. In addition to the full range of services provided by the hospital, the NVRH campus also hosts the Norris Cotton Cancer Center-North, a service of the highly respected Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, along with Fresenius Dialysis of St. Johnsbury. Community-based initiatives that focus on prevention and wellness are actively supported at NVRH, from “stop smoking” to health screenings, nutritional counseling, fitness programs, support groups, and timely classes.

Lifestyle
It has been said that the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is the nation’s largest theme park—and the theme is nature. This region features spectacular landscapes that are undoubtedly among the state’s most picturesque and undisturbed. Every season offers new and exciting adventures, including dogsledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing on miles of trails through silent evergreen and birch forests or across open meadows. Burke Mountain is renowned for its breathtaking views and ski racing heritage, home to the Burke Mountain Academy. With scores of Olympians to its credit, the academy is the most highly acclaimed facility of its kind in the nation. Other natural playgrounds include Brighton and Maidstone state parks with campgrounds and sandy beaches, Crystal Lake State Park for swimming and lakefront recreation, and Groton State Forest campgrounds and fishing opportunities.

Cultural enrichment is anchored by Catamount Arts, supporting and encouraging the arts in northern Vermont and New Hampshire. For more than 30 years, this organization has provided foreign and independent films, the largest art gallery in the region, a 100-seat cabaret, musical concerts, and a lineup of nationally known touring artists. Seasonal and holiday celebrations are colorful and well-attended, crowned by the five-day Caledonia County Fair, filled with entertainment and competitive events for the entire family. Other highlights include the Fairbanks Museum, northern New England’s largest museum of natural history and Vermont’s only public planetarium. Other highlights include the Old Stone House Museum, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, the Vermont Children’s Theater, the Colonial Theatre, historic tours and attractions, and agriculturally based entertainment centers like family farms and corn mazes. For an ideal blend of serenity and vibrancy, few places can rival Caledonia County.

Barnet
Town Offices
802-633-2256
https://barnetvt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-748-3678
https://www.nekchamber.com/

Neighboring the Connecticut River as well as the state of New Hampshire, the town of Barnet features the favorite summer vacation destination of Harvey’s Lake. The lake was the first experience in underwater diving for the famous French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, considered by many to be the father of the environmental movement. Villages within Barnet include McIndoe Falls, East Barnet, West Barnet, and Passumpsic. The latter is named for the Passumpsic River, which flows nearby, and enjoys a location near the leading community of St. Johnsbury. Quaint villages, two meditation and retreat centers, and lovely homes dot the tranquil landscape of Barnet, where chain stores are non-existent and specialty shops sell Vermont products. The amenities of St. Johnsbury are just minutes from home, yet the surrounding countryside features picturesque farmland and lush forests.

Burke
Town Offices
802-467-3717
http://burkevermont.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-626-4124
https://www.burkevermont.com/

The lovely town of Burke is well known as a recreational paradise for skiing, hiking, bicycling, shopping, and exploring cultural heritage. This area also features geotourism, a term that reflects the selection of the Northeast Kingdom by National Geographic magazine as one of very few places in the world that promotes tourism in a way that sustains and even enhances the natural environment. Nearly 200 miles of hiking, skiing, trekking, and mountain bike trails connect to other Northeast Kingdom area trails and to the vast regional snowmobile trail system. Summer activities include horseback riding, boating, swimming, and fishing. Indoor attractions include country stores, galleries, and craft shops in quaint villages. Historic libraries, museums, musical concerts, coffee houses, and lively bands at local pubs add to the cultural enrichment.

Danville
Town Offices
802-684-3352
https://danvillevt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-748-3678
https://www.nekchamber.com/

The small rural community of Danville is defined by several distinct historical villages that are surrounded by picturesque farmland, forests, and scenic vistas. The hometown spirit is strong in Danville, evidenced by strongly supported schools and libraries, community centers, the renovated town hall, and the fundraisers that support the free public beach at Joes Pond. Volunteerism runs high in Danville, bringing friends and neighbors together to work for the common good. Residents and civic leaders agree on controlled growth and development that protects the unique and enviable quality of life. Historic pride is evident in the restored Greenbanks Hollow Covered Bridge and the Danville Train Station. Those who appreciate small-town living and cherished traditions like the Danville Fair, church suppers, and band concerts will find a friendly and welcome home in Danville.

Hardwick
Town Offices
802-472-5971
https://hardwickvt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-472-5906
https://www.heartofvt.com/

Nestled on the banks of the Lamoille River, the town of Hardwick is strategically situated at the junctions of Vermont Routes 14, 15, and 16. Nestled in the eastern foothills of the Worcester Mountains, Hardwick serves as a gateway to the Northeast Kingdom. Harwick enjoys a location in the northwestern corner of Caledonia County that is equidistant from the urban amenities of Morrisville, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury. The lifestyle is simple and rural, based around town meetings, church and school events, general stores, and seasonal festivals. The town is steeped in history, recalling earlier days of saw and grist mills, a carriage factory, granite quarries, and agricultural activity. Today, many residents have home-based businesses or work in agricultural, logging, and sugaring. Harwick’s traditional culture is reflected in the area’s farms and woodlands, historic village commons, and fine early New England architectural styles. Popular activities include lakefront recreation, art and music, hiking and bicycling, hunting and fishing, and winter sports.

Lyndon
Town Offices
802-626-5785
https://www.lyndonvt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-626-9696
https://www.lyndonvermont.com/

Just six square miles in area, the historic town of Lyndon was founded in 1780 and remains a pristine natural area. Recognized as the “Covered Bridge Capital of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom,” the township is surrounded by some of Vermont’s most breathtaking landscapes. This small but vibrant community also serves as a progressive educational center, home to Lyndon Institute and Lyndon State College. Cultural enrichment in this area includes the Catamount Film and Art Center, Vermont Children’s Theater, and the Fairbanks Museum. The educational system is outstanding, from private preschools to a nationally renowned meteorology program at the state college. Wonderful restaurants and welcoming inns dot the landscape, and the popular Burke Mountain Ski Area is nearby for world-class winter sports and four-season recreational opportunities. Vermont’s largest city of Burlington is just a 90-minute drive from Lyndon.

St. Johnsbury
Town Offices
802-748-3926
https://www.stjvt.com/

Chamber of Commerce
800-639-6379
https://www.nekchamber.com/

St. Johnsbury, also known as “Saint Jay,” is a small but bustling city strategically located at the intersection of Interstates 91 and 93 as well as US Routes 2 and 5. Providing accessibility in all directions, the city provides a “welcome center” for visitors to the Northeast Kingdom and a friendly hometown for local residents. The Main Street district is a fine example of old New England architecture, lined with fine shops, specialty stores, and the oldest, original art museum in America. The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is a delight for art aficionados, historians, and architects alike. The Fairbanks Museum is another local treasure, housing the nation’s northern-most planetarium. St. Johnsbury is home to the internationally renowned private preparatory school, St. Johnsbury Academy.