Dorset Historical Society

Hike to Freedley Quarry
2024-06-29 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | VT
Join Jon and Art Gilbert for a hike to Freedley Quarry!
The morning begins with a bit of history about the location, then, we carpool to the site. Everyone is usually back to the Bley House by noon.

Hike to Folsom Quarry
2024-07-13 09:00 - 12:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
Join Jon and Art Gilbert for a hike to the Folsom Quarry.
The morning begins with a bit of history about the location, then, we carpool to the site. Everyone is usually back to the Bley House by noon.

Ice Cream Social
2024-07-13 13:00 - 15:00 | VT
Come join us at the Bley House Museum for free Wilcox Ice Cream!

Fly Fishing with John Rano
2024-07-18 12:00 - 13:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
The Dorset Historical Society’s Third-Thursday Lunch-Lecture on July 18th will feature John Rano who will discuss Fly Fishing.
The talk will feature the history and historical influencers who influenced the story of fly fishing in the US. Additionally a brief talk on the equipment used in fly fishing and how it differs from conventional fishing methods. And time and intrest permitting a demonstration of fly casting.
John worked in the men’s luxury product and cigar business as a sales and marketing executive until retiring in 1999. On moving to Vermont John has been associated with Orvis and has been a fishing and wing shooting instructor for 22 years. John has been an avid fly fisher for over 45 years and fished throughout the world for numerous species both in fresh and sal water. John lives in East Dorset with his wife Cathy and there 2 Gordon Setters.
DHS’s TTLLs begin at noon and last about an hour. Attendees are invited to bring some lunch; desserts and drinks will be provided. The event is free, open to all and handicapped accessible. The Dorset Historical Society’s Bley House Museum is located on Route 30 at Kent Hill Road. For more information, see https://dorsetvthistory.org or call (802) 867-0331.

Third Thursday Lunch Lecture: Writing for the Dead
2024-08-15 12:00 - 13:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
The Dorset Historical Society’s Third Thursday Lunch Lecture in August features Phil Holland. His presentation is called “Writing for the Dead”.

Holland will talk about the choices and challenges facing those who write dramatic monologues for historical figures. He will also perform some of the monologues from “Voices from the Grave” (premiered 2021 at the cemetery in Old Bennington) and “Voices of the Fallen” (premiered2023 at the Bennington Battlefield).

In addition to co-authoring these “Voices” shows, Holland is well known as an author and speaker on Robert Frost, the Battle of Bennington, and other subjects of local interest. He lives in Pownal.

DHS’s TTLLs begin at noon and last about an hour. Attendees are invited to bring some lunch; desserts and drinks will be provided. The event is free, open to all and handicapped accessible. The Dorset Historical Society’s Bley House Museum is located on Route 30 at Kent Hill Road. For more information, see https://dorsetvthistory.org or call (802) 867-0331.

East Dorset Village Now a Historic District
2024-09-08 15:00 - 16:00 | VT
Travel back to the bustling, 1880s community of East Dorset.
Hop on the Rutland to Bennington train, get off at the East Dorset Railroad Station and cross over the road to the Barrows Inn (aka Wilson House) to learn about how the hotel, two stores, two churches, a school, cheese factory, blacksmith shop, lumbering operations and the marble industry shaped and served this village. The Village’s importance and history were acknowledged on July 18, 2024, when the East Dorset Village Historic District was listed in the Vermont State Register of Historic Places. The travelogue begins at 3 pm. For more information contact the Dorset Historical Society at 802 867.0331 or ‘tour guide’, Ruth Stewart 802.362.1185. Location: Wilson House, September 8 at 3 pm.

East Dorset Historic Village District
2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | VT
Who Lived Here and Why?

The Dorset Historical Society’s Third-Thursday Lunch-Lecture on September 19th will feature Michele Pagan talking about: East Dorset Village Historic District: Who Lived Here and Why.
Just this past month, the Vermont State Division of Historic Preservation designated East Dorset Village as one of its historic districts. Come hear the social details of who chose East Dorset as their home, and why. Why did the wealthiest man in all of Dorset choose to live in East Dorset? Which hotel was more valuable in 1870: The Wilson House, or the Dorset Inn? Learn these answers and many more at this new presentation about historic East Dorset Village, and the people who called it home.”
DHS’s TTLLs begin at noon and last about an hour. Attendees are invited to bring some lunch; desserts and drinks will be provided. The event is free, open to all and handicapped accessible. The Dorset Historical Society’s Bley House Museum is located on Route 30 at Kent Hill Road. For more information, see https://dorsetvthistory.org or call (802) 867-0331.

East Dorset Village
2024-10-06 14:00 - 15:00 | VT
Historical District Walk

Join the Dorset Historical Society on a walk along the streets of the East Dorset Village Historic District, listed in the Vermont State Register of Historic Places on July 18, 2024. Many of the buildings in the District share physical characteristics such as gable roof designs, marble foundations and sidewalks, slate covered roofs and clapboard siding. The design and layout of the village seem to have been planned with small lots, roadside homes, tree-lined streets and marble sidewalks. Marble mills once lined the entire west side of the village boundary. Little of that remains today. Meet at the Wilson House at 2 pm, to flesh out the clues that point to an earlier time in East Dorset’s history. For more information contact the Dorset Historical Society at 802.867.0331 or the tour guide, Ruth Stewart 802.362.1185.

Annual Meeting
2024-10-11 05:00 - 18:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
Dorset Historical Society
2024 Annual Meeting Notice
Friday October 11th at 5p.m.
If someone cannot attend and they wish to watch the meeting livestreamed on Facebook, please email DHS for instructions.
There will be a review of the events and accomplishments of the past year as well as an acknowledgement of some of the donations to the collection. The Dorset Historical Society will also thank the Directors that have stepped down this year for all their hard work.
The new business will include a small update to the Bylaws to allow for an earlier date for the Annual Meeting, and the election of directors:
Nan Bambara
Katherine Dickenson
Rocco Maggiotto
Kevin O’Toole
Megan Thörn
Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the Board of the Dorset Historical Society will convene to elect the following slate of officers:
President — Rache Simmons
Vice-President — Sallyan Pelletier
Treasurer – Rocco Maggiotto
Secretary – Donn Hutchins
For more information, stop into our offices, go to dorsetvthistory.org, or call DHS at 802-867-0331.

Wilson House History Program
2024-10-17 12:00 - 13:00 | VT
Join us for a lively discussion about the Wilson House In East Dorset. It was formerly the Hotel to spend the night, before it was associated with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Halloween Treats
2024-10-31 16:30 - 18:00 | VT
Thursday, October 31, Beginning at 4:30 pm

The Dorset Historical Society will be joining other Downtown Dorset Entities. We will all be handing out candy and our unique Dorset Historical Society Trading Cards to visiting trick or treaters!

How Old is the Dorset Field Club Anyway?
2024-11-21 12:00 - 13:00 | VT
Come Join Us as Kevin O’Toole, introduces us to the first days of the Dorset Field Club’s inception
The Dorset Historical Society’s Third-Thursday Lunch-Lecture on November 21, 2024 will feature Kevin O’Toole, Esq. answering the question “Just How Old is the Dorset Field Club, Anyway?”
Kevin’s talk will focus on DFC’s claim to be the oldest golf course in the United States continuously played on the same site. Using author Mike Circa’s article on the subject, he will highlight what DFC claims and what it does not claim, and leave ultimate conclusions to the audience. For a period of years, Kevin has acted as DFC’s historian, and worked closely with Mr. Cirba on his article, having conducted title examinations of the Club’s properties in his capacity as title counsel.
DHS’s TTLLs begin at noon and last about an hour. Attendees are invited to bring some lunch; desserts and drinks will be provided. The event is free, open to all and handicapped accessible. The Dorset Historical Society’s Bley House Museum is located on Route 30 at Kent Hill Road. For more information, see https://dorsetvthistory.org or call (802) 867-0331.

Annual Holiday Open House
2024-12-07 11:00 - 13:00 | VT
Saturday, December 7, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm!

Join us for our Annual Holiday Open House, when we serve up a selection of sweet treats from local cook books. We customarily exhibit the ever-changing traditions of the season in Dorset.

Long Trail School Field Trip
2025-04-10 13:00 - 13:30 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251

250th Anniversary Regional Students’ Debate
2025-04-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Arlington High School, 529 E Arlington Rd, Arlington, VT, 05250, United States
On April 19, 1775, the Battle of Lexington and Concord was the “Shot Heard Around the World” that marked the start of the Revolutionary War. On April 12, 2025, just one week shy of that 250th anniversary, high school debate teams from around the region will meet in Arlington, VT to debate the key question of the time; “Shall the colonies seek independence from Great Britain?”
Approximately 8 teams will be competing for a $1,000 prize thanks to the support of the Keelan Family Foundation who is the sponsor for this event along with the Bennington Regional 250th Anniversary Planning Committee. Participating schools include Burr and Burton Academy, Arlington High School, Mount Anthony Union High School, and Grace Christian School.
“The question of whether or not to rebel was very serious. Lives hung in the balance. Indeed the future of the world would be defined by the outcome” says Jonah Spivak, chair of the Bennington Regional Anniversary Planning Committee. “Starting our regional 250th anniversaries with this debate highlights the importance of education in everything we do with remembering and commemorating these events. This is in effect re-enacting that key question, just one week before we stop talking about the question, and start fighting over it.”
The public is invited to come to watch the final debate and be a part of this first 250th anniversary event at noon on April 12. The debate is being hosted by the Arlington High School and the final debate will be held in the Theater. Park in the large lot up behind the Arlington High School and there will be a sign directing to the Theater. Please arrive a little early so as to be seated by noon in time for the debate.
For more information about the 250th Anniversaries in our region, please visit bennington250.org or email bennington250@gmail.com.

250th Anniversary Expedition to Ticonderoga
2025-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
Follow in the footsteps of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys! Visit the Dorset Historical Society to have your passport stamped, and for an open house featuring refreshments.
Join us in this region wide commemoration in Bennington County and nearby NY of the lead-up to America’s First Victory, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Immerse yourself in local history, exciting events, and family-friendly fun as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Green Mountain Boys’ remarkable journey.
On Saturday there will be events throughout the Southshire in Pownal, Bennington, and Shaftsbury at historic sites, which continue Sunday in the Northshire in Arlington, Sunderland, Manchester, and Dorset. Happenings at the various sites includes reenactors, historical information tables, kids activities and games, musket demonstrations, talks and tours, and a passport book for collecting stamps from the various sites with the chance to win a prize.
Why not make it a day of moving through history? Join the Bike Hub for a group bike ride starting at 10am from the Liberty Pole ceremony in Pownal, continuing to the Jonas Galusha House event. A volunteer biker will carry a commemorative powder horn, just like the Green Mountain Boys of old. Or, lace up your running shoes for a fun run on Sunday afternoon through historic Arlington, starting at the junction of Route 313 and Route 7A, where you’ll pass through the town’s most historic sites.
There’s something for everyone! Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or family looking for fun, this weekend offers it all.
For more information, please visit bennington250.org or email bennington250@gmail.com.

Author Talk: Jon Mathewson on “Dorset” History Book
2025-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 | The Dorset Village Library, Corner of Church Street and Route 30, Dorset
Join us at both the Dorset Village Library and the Dorset Historical Society on May 8th at 6pm to hear Jon Mathewson discuss the new book Dorset. The book covers the origins of Dorset and its history from 1850-1965. The talk will begin at 6pm at the Dorset Village Library. After the program, we’ll head across the street to the Dorset Historical Society where there will be a reception and more conversation until 8pm!
From 1768 on, people settled in several parts of Dorset, creating 14 school districts and six distinct villages. Join us in Dorset as we examine the histories of these villages through photographs from the 1850s to 1960. Discover the industry and recreation of North Dorset, the marble mills of East Dorset, the quarries of South Dorset, and the businesses of Dorset Village, as well as the people who have called Dorset home: Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson, authors Elizabeth Prentiss and Zephine Humphrey, quarry and orchard entrepreneur Ernest West, and many others.
Dorset, an Arcadia Publishing Images of America book, is available for purchase from Dorset Historical Society. The Dorset Historical Society has been actively preserving and presenting local history since 1963.
Photo credit: Steven Schlussel.

Community Event: Alexandre Caillot Book Launch at ByWay Books & More
2025-05-13 16:00 - 18:00 | ByWay Books & More, 399 Canal Street, Brattleboro, 05301, United States
ByWay Books & More is excited to host Alexandre Caillot, author of Late to the Fight which explores the experiences and contributions of Union soldiers from the 17 th Vermont and 31 st Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiments who entered the Army of the Potomac in time to serve during the Overland Campaign.
This event will be of particular interest to aficionados of the Civil War, military war, and regional history as well as anyone who wants to learn about the Green Mountain State’s final Civil War regiment which endured some of the most intense fighting in the conflict. Caillot will share his research and address the motivations, behavior, and combat performance of the men who filled the ranks left empty by veterans whose three-year terms had expired. There will be time for a Q&A and book signing.
Brian Matthew Jordon, Pulitzer Prize finalist for Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War says, “…Methodically rich and carefully argued, this is that rare book that challenges readers to rethink their conclusions – as well as their questions.”
Dr. Sodergren, Chair of the History and Political Science Department at Norwich University and Civil War expert, speaks highly of Late to the Fight, and says that Caillot “…explores the combat performance of the Union soldiers who filled newly raised regiments that fought through the Civil War’s final year. Historians have typically regarded these late enlistees as substandard to those who signed on at the war’s start…Caillot shows that these forgotten boys in blue left behind a record of valor and sacrifice essential to achieving the destruction of the confederacy.”
Alexandre Caillot is from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and earned his doctorate in history from Temple University in 2023. He has previously taught at Norwich University and interned in the National Park Service, where he gave battlefield tours. Caillot has had articles published by the U.S. Military History Review and the Modern War Institute, in addition to authoring over twenty scholarly book reviews in print and online.
ByWay Books & More is located at 399 Canal St. Brattleboro, VT and has been in business for just over a year. ByWay Books & More specializes in general new trade books with a focus on the environment, a large children’s books section, many unique finds at a reasonable price, and a growing collection of foreign language and social justice books.

Community Event: Glenn Fay on "Ambition: The Remarkable Family of Ethan Allen" at Northshire Bookstore
2025-05-16 18:00 | Northshire Bookstore, 4869 Main St, Manchester Center, VT, 05255, United States
The Northshire Bookstore in Manchester will present an evening with Glenn Fay, Jr. for a reading and discussion of his recently released book, Ambition: The Remarkable Family of Ethan Allen on Friday, May 16th at 6pm.
Ambition, published by Onion River Press, dives into the relationships of Ethan Allen’s aspiring extended family of brothers, sisters, wives, children, grandchildren, and associates. Many of these characters helped create the original republic we now know as Vermont while living in the Manchester area. Ambition also describes the Allens’ imprint on the present-day unique state of Vermont. The book is available everywhere. Signed copies will be available at the event and afterward.
Ambition has been endorsed by Vermont historians Kevin Graffagnino, Former Governor Jim Douglas, Elise Guyette, Michael Bellesiles, Gary Shattuck, Phyllis Drury, and others.
Glenn Fay is a native Vermonter and descendant of Green Mountain Boy Daniel Champion and New Hampshire militiaman Jon Powers II. He has researched and written about characters in the American Revolution with two prior books, Vermont’s Ebenezer Allen: Patriot, Commando, and Emancipator, and Hidden History of Burlington, Vermont, both from The History Press. Glenn serves on the board of directors at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington.

Open House: Welcoming Our New Director
2025-05-24 10:00 - 14:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
Join us to welcome the new Director and Curator of the Dorset Historical Society at an open house featuring refreshments!

250th Anniversary Vermont Sampler Driving Tour
2025-05-30 - 2025-09-01 | The Dorset Village Library, Corner of Church Street and Route 30, Dorset
This summer the Dorset Village Library is one of the 20 stops on the Vermont Sampler Driving Tour. Drawing from the collections at the historical society, and from local families’ samples, the library presents these samples. Each has been researched to find a revolutionary ancestor.
Come see the samplers, and learn something new about the American Revolution!
The story of our Revolutionary War generation having fought the war for our independence, and then having relocated to Vermont to live their lives, is one that can be illustrated by studying the lives of their descendants. The values, artistry and degrees of hardship and success of these families are often conveyed by the girls who produced these samplers. They are almost always the progeny – daughters and granddaughters of the Revolutionary War generation – and their stories are many and unique!
The VT Sampler Initiative, a 501-c-3 entity, in cooperation with the national Sampler Archive has been documenting Vermont 19th century schoolgirl samplers since November 2022. To date, close to 800 such samplers have been located and documented using volunteer documenters and professional photography.
The VT Sampler Initiative is now producing a statewide driving tour, to view collections of these post-Revolutionary War samplers, in cooperation with the Nationwide celebration of the Semi-quincentennial celebration of the American Revolution.
The dates of the driving tour coincide with the statewide celebration of our national semi-quincentennial celebration, from Memorial Day, May 2025 – Columbus Day, October 2025, for most sites.
Please see the Vermont 250th website for more details: https://anniversary250.vermont.gov/
For more information about the tour, contact Michele Pagan at Mpp1@comcast.net.

Reading the Forested Landscape: An Interpretive Walk with Tom Wessels
2025-05-30 13:00 - 14:30 | Smokey House Center, 426 Danby Mountain Rd, Danby, VT, 05739, United States
Join us for a walk focusing on unraveling forest histories, intriguing plant adaptations, unique coevolved forest interrelationships, and any other unusual things we may encounter.
Join renowned ecologist and author Tom Wessels for an interpretive walk through the forests of Smokey House Center. This guided tour will delve into the fascinating world of forest ecology, unraveling the histories of the trees, exploring plant adaptations, and uncovering the unique coevolved forest interrelationships. Tom will discuss any surprising and unusual natural phenomena we encounter along the way.
Tom Wessels is a terrestrial ecologist, professor emeritus at Antioch University, and the author of several books, including New England’s Roadside Ecology: Explore 30 of the Region’s Unique Natural Areas. With over three decades of experience leading workshops on ecology, natural history, and sustainability, Tom has become a trusted voice in the field. His engaging storytelling and deep knowledge make this a rare opportunity to connect with the natural world on a deeper level.
Whether you’re a budding naturalist or simply curious about the environment, this walk is sure to inspire and educate. Be prepared to learn, observe, and explore as we uncover the secrets of the forest together!
After the 1.5 hr walk Tom will be available for purchasing and signing books. Please bring personal check or cash.
Visit the Smokey House Center website to register!

Longest Day 5k
2025-06-21 09:00 - 17:00 | J. K. Adams, 1430 Route 30, Dorset, VT
Join Hike Dorset on their Longest Day 5k! Click here to register.

When: June 21st, 2025 at 9:00 AM (Plan to arrive between 8:00-8:30am)

Where: Parking at JK Adams Kitchen Store and Raptor Lane (across from the Dorset RV Park)

Parking will be limited so arrive early if possible. Overflow will be at Raptor Lane.

$30 Registration fee. NO STROLLERS! NO DOGS! Sections of trail are single track technical.

All funds from this 5K will go towards the 2025 Hike Dorset summer crew. Each summer Hike Dorset hires a small crew to perform trail work, trail building and repair, invasive species removal, water feature repair and maintenance, and other tasks needed to maintain the beautiful parkland and forests of Dorset, Vermont.

Before running (or walking) this 5K, you will need to register and fill out liability waiver at the event. Waivers will be available at check-in on June 21st and must be filled out before participation.

Anyone under 18 will need to have a parent or guardian sign the waiver.

The Lincolns and Manchester: A Commemorative Talk at Hildene by Shawn Harrington Celebrating 120 years since the Lincoln Family moved into Hildene
2025-06-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, 1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT, 05254, 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.

The program features rare family photos and personal stories that bring the Lincoln family’s nearly 70-year connection to this mountain valley to life.

This program is free with admission. Reservations are required to accommodate the proper number of guests.

Click to register.

Sampler Stories at the Dorset Village Library
2025-07-03 18:00 - 19:00 | 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.
She will share the techniques which the Initiative uses to uncover clues about the socioeconomics which can be read from each sampler. Additionally in cooperation with the VT 250th Commemoration, she will share some of the stories of the ancestors of the girls who made the samplers, and what their service was during the Revolution. No registration is required.

Ice Cream Social
2025-07-12 13:00 - 15:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
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!

History Hike: The Pinnacle
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
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 Pinnacle 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!

Architectural Gems: Historic Buildings of Dorset and East Rupert
2025-07-22 17:30 - 19:00 | United Church of Dorset, 143 Church Street, Dorset, VT, 05251, 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. Architectural historian Jennifer Lang and architect Bill Badger will share information about the fascinating history, design, and construction of the houses located in these contiguous communities in the upper Mettawee River Valley, beginning in the late 19th century. This program will be held at the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert, prominently located within the center of the National Register of Historic Places Dorset Village Historic District and adjacent to the green on Church Street.
You may register for the lecture only for $20, or choose to bundle the lecture and the August 2nd house tour for $50.
Dorset resident Jennifer Lang is an architectural historian and conservationist. She has worked in the historic preservation field in New York City, California, and most recently in Hong Kong, where she was the director of the graduate program in architectural conservation at Hong Kong University. Currently, Jennifer writes and consults with UNESCO and ICOMOS on historic preservation projects around the world.
Bill Badger is an experienced local architect and historian with a passion for railroads. He is president of the Rutland Railroad Historical Society and has been a board member of the Manchester Historical Society for many years. Bill’s background includes architectural history and preservation.
This talk will take place on Tuesday, July 22 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert.
Click here to visit the Green Mountain Academy of Lifelong Learning’s website and register.

Author Talk: Jon Mathewson on “Dorset” History Book Commemorating the Dorset Conventions
2025-07-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Northshire Bookstore, 4869 Main St, Manchester Center, VT, 05255, 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.
From 1768 on, people settled in several parts of Dorset, creating 14 school districts and six distinct villages. Discover the industry and recreation of North Dorset, the marble mills of East Dorset, the quarries of South Dorset, and the businesses of Dorset Village, as well as the people who have called Dorset home: Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson, authors Elizabeth Prentiss and Zephine Humphrey, quarry and orchard entrepreneur Ernest West, and many others.
The Dorset Historical Society has been actively preserving and presenting local history since 1963.

Architectural Gems: Historic House Tour in Dorset and East Rupert
2025-08-02 10:00 - 14:00 | The Dorset Historical Society Bley House Museum, Corner of Kent Hill Road & Route 30, Dorset, VT, 05251
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. This historic house tour will inspire, delight, and invite appreciation for the stewardship of some of the most charming historic properties in the area. In addition to the house tour, GMALL is offering a companion lecture and discussion about the history and architecture of Dorset and East Rupert on July 22, 2025 from 5:30-7 pm at the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert.
Begin the tour at the Dorset Historical Society where you can pick up your ticket and program and enjoy some refreshments.
$35 for the tour paid in advance
$45 for the tour paid at the door
$50 for the package (tour and lecture on July 22)
This event is rain or shine.
The self-guided Historic House Tour will take place on Saturday, August 2 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, starting at the Dorset Historical Society in Dorset.
Click here to visit the Green Mountain Academy of Lifelong Learning’s website and register.
