History

July 27th Event

Will the intact Bell of  Chapel 1871 in North Clarendon ring once more in years to come?

Neighbors and residents of Clarendon-rich with early settler’s history, have set their mind to restore the old Chapel to bring back their village.

Bringing back the history of the area would enhance its uniqueness, foster pride for residents for its yesteryears filled with wonders that started 10’000 years ago when the last glacier receded, and Native American moved in.

Fire warden Clayton Rockwell has volunteered to paint the southern end, Jim Theodore of ITT Properties offered to do split rails, Bronson Spencer a survey. Jackson Evans, a window restoration expert, assists with various aspect of the stain glass windows, a crucial component of this revival. Devin Colman, Architectural Historian, who has worked on several projects in the area such as the Kingsley Bridge and the  Grist Mill has deemed the Chapel National Registry eligible.

An incentive for everyone to better their town, gardens, and homes.

So, what is there to lose? Increase cyclists exploring the rural roads of our beautiful region? Attract new residents who will enjoy, protect, and invest in this untouched Vermont dominion and enclave?

“Bringing back the history of the area would enhance its uniqueness, foster pride for residents for its yesteryears filled with wonders that started 10’000 years ago when the last glacier receded, and Native American moved in the territory. Give an incentive for everyone to better their town, gardens, and homes…” says: Nicolette Asselin Board member and grant writer for the project.

On July 27th, during the ‘Town-Wide Sale’ the Chapel will be open for viewing. Please stop by, visit, share your stories,  perhaps you may want to get involved in this community effort to bring back our forgotten precious jewels. The repurposing of a neglected building could bring  new life in the old village.

Questions: 802-468-7047

Address: 437 Old Route 7 North Clarendon, VT

The Kingsley Bridge

The Kingsley Covered Bridge (also called the Mill River Bridge) is a wooden covered bridge carrying East Street across the Mill River in Clarendon, Vermont. Built about 1870, it is the town’s only surviving 19th-century covered bridge. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1] Cont

 

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Built by Nichols Powers: Nicholas Powers was born on August 30, 1817 in Pittsford, Vermont. He lived in Ira for a period of time and spent his final days in Clarendon.

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The Kingsley Grist Mill

The Kingsley Grist Mill complex is located southeast of the junction of Gorge and East Roads, a short way southeast of the Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport. Roughly 3 acres (1.2 ha) in size, it includes a c. 1778 house, 1885 horse barn, and a mill complex, most of whose elements date to the 1880s. The district also includes the foundational remnants of a second mill and the mill dam, a timber crib dam whose main structure was washed away by flooding in 1927. An old alignment of the main road connecting Clarendon to Shrewsbury is also believed to pass through the property (now serving as its main drive). Cont

Judge Theophilus Harrington

Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives 1803 – 1804

Judge Theophilus Harrington came to Vermont in 1785 from Rhode Island and became a member of the Ira church. He was a plain dirt farmer, not a lawyer, but served on the Supreme Court of the state and made the famous decision in a case involving ownership of slaves in a free state, an account of which follows.. Cont

Upon Judge Harrington’s monument is chiseled the following inscription:

“He sleeps on the hills
No slave ever trod,
Nor claimant brought bills
From Almighty God.”

Theo-Grave

1762-1813

News – Summer-2017

  • North Clarendon Chapel

    The Chapel situated in North Clarendon is being evaluated for repairs. The Preservation Trust of Vermont will be sending a Field Representative in September to look at it and may grant a “Condition Assessment Grant”. Meanwhile, we have started a fundraiser to raise funds for its repairs and rehabilitation into a Community Center. Read more

  • Barn Census

    A Barn Census is underway.  Many barns are on the National Registry. The State of Vermont is working on a database to update the conditions. Read more. You may volunteer to assist with this project.

  • Field Classroom

Our Education Director is preparing Field Classes for the Fall Semester. If you are a teacher or are part of an organization that wishes to host a class, we recommend signing up early. Read more.

  • Archaeology

The Clarendon Historical Society is researching information on archeology and early settlers.  Meetings are third Wed of every month at 6 PM. Next date: Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Clarendon Town Hall.

If you have news to share for our Newsletter, send us a note.

Who was Addie?

Addie M. Braisted lived or visited North Clarendon, VT. We have a postcard sent to her in 1889.

Help us discover who she was:

Join the Clarendon Historical Society and the ‘History and Heritage’ Research Committee. You will not regret your adventure into history and add to the significant Heritage of the town of Clarendon.

East Clarendon

Shutter Details

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Mark Cassino is a fine art and natural history photographer based out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. His work runs the gamut from micro-photographs of individual snow crystals, to close ups of butterflies and birds, to landscapes depicting Michigan’s unique terrain.