More in Woodstock VT

There's more to Woodstock, VT than just the very classic Woodstock Inn where we stayed recently for our anniversary getaway. Thanks for the comments and congrats.

Downtown Woodstock boasts its own covered bridge right near the town green. The Middle Bridge is a 139-foot long lattice truss that carries Union Street over the Ottaquechee River. It was compltely rebuilt in 1969 to replace an iron bridge that had been in use since 1877. of course, we took a selfie in front (when no cars were there).

The bridge was built using traditional methods with wooden pegs and not nails. It was built on dry land and pulled across the river on scaffolding by oxen walking around a capstan (revolving cylinder). In May 1974, the bridge was set afire by arsonists. Repairs took over 3 years and exceeded $50,000.

The Norman Williams Public Library has been in the center of Woodstock Village for over 130 years. The word “public” means that it's open to the public without charge, not that it's all publicly funded. The library receives about 40 percent of its funds from public sources. The rest is raised privately.

In the early 19th century, most libraries were subscription and charged a fee after the Ben Franklin model, making it difficult for all to access books. In 1843, John Jacob Astor opened up the first free public library and then free libraries began opening up countrywide. The library's namesake, Norman Williams was a prominent Woodstock citizen. After his death, his son demolished his parents unused home and outbuildings to build a library. Edward Williams founded the Norman Williams Public Library as a non-profit public library in 1884. It was built in the Romanesque style with Vermont marble and Carolina pine woodwork. 

The Woodstock courthouse is  called the Windsor County Courthouse as its in the county seat. It was built in 1855 and is located directly adjacent to the public library. 

It was designed by architect Thomas Silloway known for building over 400 churches in the eastern U.S more than any other individual. The distinctive brickwork is said to resemble piano keys.

In addition to being the center of local government, the Woodstock Town Hall presents a selection of events, including movies and plays for more than 35,000 people annually, both residents and out-of-town visitors. We didn't see a performance here while we were in Woodstock. 

Opened in 1900, it was originally called the Woodstock Opera House and featured a banquet hall on the first floor and a Victorian style opera house on the second floor. At the time, it was considered the best cultural center of its type rivaling even Boston.

Central Street and Elm Street are the main business and shopping streets in downtown Woodstock. They include several local restaurants, speciality shops and the Vermont Flannel Company where I bought Grenville a new shirt for the next NH winter..

Woodstock is a very walkable town, mainly because it's not very large. Its population is under 3,500 full-time residents. Of course, tourism boasts that number especially during leaf peeping fall months and warmer summer months.

Woodstock, VT was named the "prettiest small town in America" by the Ladies Home Journal Magazine. It's a comment that many people use after visiting, including us.

Laurance and Mary French Rockefeller had an enormous impact on the overall character of the town as it now exists. They built the Woodstock Inn, a center point for the town and helped preserve the 19th century architecture and the rural feel and had the village's power lines buried underground. 

Visiting this quaint New England town is an easy 90-minute ride from Nashua, NH and we're already planning a return visit.