Past Events

  • Longest Day 5k

    J. K. Adams 1430 Route 30, Dorset, VT

    Join Hike Dorset on their Longest Day 5k!

  • The Lincolns and Manchester: A Commemorative Talk at Hildene by Shawn Harrington Celebrating 120 years since the Lincoln Family moved into Hildene

    Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home 1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT, United States

    Join Manchester Historical Society Curator Shawn Harrington at Hildene’s Lincoln Hall for a glimpse into life in Manchester around 1905, when Robert Todd and Mary Harlan Lincoln settled at Hildene. Harrington will also discuss Mary Todd Lincoln’s Civil War-era visits to The Equinox House and the family's return in the 1890s to visit Robert’s law partner, Edward S. Isham— visits that inspired the Lincolns to want to build their ancestral home, Hildene, in Manchester.

  • Sampler Stories at the Dorset Village Library

    The Dorset Village Library Corner of Church Street and Route 30, Dorset

    Michele Pagan, Textile Conservator in Private Practice, will be speaking on July 3rd at 6pm at the Dorset Village Library about the VT Sampler Initiative, and how this national effort has been documenting VT 19th century schoolgirl samplers since November 2022.

    Free
  • Ice Cream Social

    The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT

    It's the annual Dog Days and Ice Cream Social! Join us at the Dorset Historical Society on Saturday, July 12th from 1-3pm for an open house featuring free Wilcox ice cream, and visit the Dorset Village Library across the street for their Dog Days hot dogs!

    Free
  • History Hike: The Pinnacle

    The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT

    Join Kevin O'Toole, and folks from Hike Dorset and the Dorset Historical Society, for a hike to The Pinnacle! The morning will begin with a bit of history about the location at the Dorset Historical Society, then we'll carpool to the site.  We anticipate being back to the Bley House by noon!

    Free
  • Architectural Gems: Historic Buildings of Dorset and East Rupert

    United Church of Dorset 143 Church Street, Dorset, VT, United States

    Join us for an engaging and in-depth illustrated lecture and discussion about the architecture, history, and development of Dorset and East Rupert, with specific focus on the five houses included in the companion house tour on August 2, 2025.

    $20
  • Author Talk: Jon Mathewson on “Dorset” History Book Commemorating the Dorset Conventions

    Northshire Bookstore 4869 Main St, Manchester Center, VT, United States

    Join us at Northshire Bookstore on July 25th at 6pm to hear Dorset Historical Society Curator Emeritus Jon Mathewson discuss the new book Dorset. The book covers the origins of Dorset and its pictorial history from 1850-1965, but Mathewson's talk will highlight the era before photography with a special emphasis on the history of the Dorset Conventions.

    Free
  • Architectural Gems: Historic House Tour in Dorset and East Rupert

    The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT

    Explore five unique Dorset and East Rupert historic houses at the self-guided GMALL Historic House Tour. GMALL has creatively selected properties that express the unique history and spirit of the upper Mettawee River Valley in southern Vermont representing a diverse range of architectural styles from Federal to Victorian. This tour will offer a rare opportunity to visit inside these intriguing residences, each with a unique history and story to tell.

    $35
  • History Hike: Gettysburg Quarry

    The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT

    Join Kevin O'Toole, and folks from Hike Dorset and the Dorset Historical Society, for a hike to the Gettysburg Quarry! The morning will begin with a bit of history about the quarry at the Dorset Historical Society, then we’ll carpool to the site for a hike. We anticipate being back to the Bley House by noon!

    Free
  • 250th Anniversary Lunchtime Lecture: Rutland County Forts with Joseph Kinney

    The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT

    Join historian and archaeologist Joseph Kinney for a Lunchtime Lecture exploring the Revolutionary War-era forts of Rutland County and how they’ve been remembered, or forgotten, over time. Drawing from his undergraduate thesis and ongoing research, Kinney will introduce attendees to key military sites including Castleton’s Fort Warren, Pittsford’s Fort Vengeance, and Rutland’s Forts Rutland and Ranger.

    Free
  • Annual Meeting

    The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT

    Dorset Historical Society 2025 Annual Meeting Notice FRIDAY OCTOBER 3rd

  • Fall Festival

    Dorset Green

    Gather your friends and neighbors – we’re having a Fall Festival! Please join us on Saturday, October 11th from 11a-3pm for a Fall Festival on the Village Green, hosted by The Union Store. Wagon Rides and games for the kids, local vendors, and a bake sale for The Dorset School’s DPV. Don’t miss this day of fun, food, and community spirit!

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