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The Montpelier Destination is found near the center of Vermont and comprises most of Washington County. The area commands the main pass through the Green Mountains. The Winooski River runs through the region, having a significant impact on Barre's economy, located next to the river.[1] The Abenaki originally inhabited Montpelier until European settlement started in the "New World." The area was later made the state capital of Vermont in 1805. The land had not been associated with either the eastern or western sides of the Green Mountains.[6] The region consists of multiple cities, including Barre, Randolph, Waterbury Village Historic District, [and Springfield].[1] Within all of the cities in the region, there is a wide variety of attractions and activities for guests to participate in. Attractions include Hope Cemetery, Rock of Ages, Barre Opera House, Thunder Road Speedbowl, Vermont Granite Museum[5], Hubbard Park, Vermont Historical Society Museum, Bragg Farm Sugar House, Montpelier Mud, and visiting the state capital.[4] When visitors plan on visiting the destination, it is recommended that they plan their trips anytime between the end of May to the end of September when the region is the warmest.[3] Overall, the warm season is considered between May to September, but the cold season falls between December and March.[2] The state has an above-average population of deer, which has led deer hunting to become an autumn ritual in the region.[1]
Montpelier Destination is located in Vermont, near the center of the state. It is central to the main pass through the Green Mountains. The city Montpelier was named after a township called Montpellier, in France. The town was chartered in 1791 by proprietors from Vermont and Massachusetts. In 1805, Montpelier was made the capital of Vermont. The capitol building presently located in Montpelier is built of Vermont granite. There is a marble statue of Ethan Allen inside the capitol, an American Revolutionary hero. Visiting the state capitol is one of the most popular activities in the area. The Montpelier Destination falls in Washington County's seat and includes other cities such as Barre, [Springfield], and Waterbury Village Historic District.[1] Montpelier is the seventh-largest city in Vermont but has a decreasing population rate.[7]
Other attractions that draw visitors to the region include Hubbard Park, Vermont Historical Society Museum, Bragg Farm Sugar House, Capitol Theater, and T.W. Wood Gallery and Arts Center. One of the top trails to hike in Vermont is Camel's Hump, about 18.7 miles long. It's recommended to walk in the fall because of the foliage. The Capitol Theater is arguably one of Montpelier's best things to do. It's a historic theater, with only a few movies showing at a time.[4] Other attractions are found in neighboring cities to Montpelier. Other activities in the destination include visiting Hope Cemetery, Rock of Ages, Barre Opera House, Thunder Road Speedbowl, Vermont Granite Museum, and Studio Place Arts. Hope Cemetery was founded in 1895 and currently contains tombstones designed by artisans worldwide, and visitors can book tours through the grounds. Rock of Ages was once one of the largest granite quarries in the world but now is instead a tourist destination. The large hole has over 600 feet of milky-green water filling it, making it the world's largest deep-hole granite quarry.[5] It's recommended that those visiting the destination plan their trips anytime between the end of May and the end of September.[3]
Multiple different things drive the Montpelier Destination's economy. The main contributors to the economy's growth are educational services, health care and social assistance, and retail trade. The highest paying industries are the Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services, and Professional, Scientific, and Management.[8] Montpelier has a population of 7,248 people with a small variety in demographics. The primary race in the area is white, with them making up 94.30% of the people. The next two contributors to the demographics are African Americans sitting at 1.65% and Asian making up 1.52% of the people living in the region.[7]
The Montpelier Destination is located in north-central Vermont; more specifically, the city of Montpelier is the seat of Washington County and the state capital of Vermont. The region also has the towns of Waterbury Village Historic District, Barre, Warren, Randolph, Rutland, [Springfield, and Chester].[9] The area has the Winooski River running through it. The river runs through Washington County through the Green Mountains and eventually drains into Lake Champlain.[1] The Barre area led to the discovery of granite in the region, with a following boom in the granite industry. One of the most commonly known corporations was the Rock of Ages, established in 1914.[10]
Typical flora in Vermont that can also be found in the Montpelier Destination are pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, maple, birch, and the state tree, the sugar maple. The high amount of sugar maples contributes to the high amount of maple sugar and syrup that the state produces. Wildlife found in the region include bears, moose, and a wide variety of fish. There are rarely any members of the wild cat family in the land, but there is a huge deer population. Deer hunting has now become an autumn ritual for those in the region.[1]
Montpelier has a warm season that lasts for about 3.8 months, from May to September, with the average temperature from 68 degrees to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, the coldest time of the year for the destination falls from December to March, with average lows of 11 degrees to 27 degrees Fahrenheit. About six months out of the year are classified as wet months, from April to October. Each day has about a 31% chance of being a wet day, but July has higher averages since it is the wettest month of the year for the region. Rain is common for a large portion of the year, falling between March to December. While snow is expected anytime between December to March.[2]
The land of the Montpelier Destination was initially inhabited by the Abenaki, who were stewards of the land until European settlement. The first of the Europeans to arrive was Joel Frizzel, followed by Colonel Jacob Davis.[6] It wasn't until 1787 that the first permanent dwelling was built. In 1805, the city of Montpelier was officially made the state capital of Vermont because it had no association with either the western or eastern sides of the Green Mountains. The following years would prove the validity of the location after multiple attacks by other towns to succeed it as the state capital but ultimately failed.[1]
The region was able to grow from the geographical location of the nearby rivers. Companies were founded near the banks, such as Lane Manufacturing Company, Colton Manufacturing Company, and several clothespin companies. The significant growth near the rivers exposed the region to fires and floods. In 1875 two fires ended up destroying 38 buildings in the area.[6] Another contributing factor to the economy was the boom in the granite industry following the Civil War. The discovery of granite occurred in the city of Barre, which contributed significantly to the town's population. In 1830 the population was 2.012 people and went to 12,000 people in 1910.[10] Now the population of Barre sits at 8,373 people and continues to have a slight decrease in numbers.[11]
The city of Montpelier has a current population of 7,248 people and is projected to continue to decline in numbers, with a decreasing rate of 0.85%. The peak in population was achieved in 1960 with only about a thousand more people than there currently are. The demographics primarily consist of white people that make up 94.30% of the population, with African Americans and Asians making up 4.07% of the population combined. The small population makes Montpelier the least populous state capital in the United States.[7]
West Hill House B&B
West Hill House B&B occupies nine acres of land in central Vermont. Peter and Susan MacLaren, the current owners, have been managing the business since 2006; however, the property dates back to the 1850s when it originally began as a farmhouse. The establishment features nine guestrooms available for rent year-round. A three-course breakfast is served every morning to all patrons at the bed and breakfast, offering options such as fruit, a type of bread dish, and a dessert. Activities are additionally provided at the property, as several board games, jigsaw puzzles, and movies are supplied for guest use. For those who are hoping to explore the surrounding area, visitors can engage in the outdoor recreation that the Green Mountains and Mad River have to offer.
...Read MoreThe Governor's Inn, located in Ludlow, Vermont, features nine bedrooms, which the owner reports are each uniquely decorated. Included in each stay are a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and either a full-, queen-, or king-sized bed. One of the rooms is classified as a suite and has a sitting area attached to the room, while the other eight accommodations are only a bedroom and an en-suite bathroom. The home is situated in the historic downtown area of Ludlow, and Holger, one of the owners, says that the property is within walking distance of a variety of museums, churches, restaurants, and bars. "It is small-town Vermont, with a small downtown area, and [the bed and breakfast] is part of that," Holger said.
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