The Montpelier skyline is dominated by the gold dome of the State House, standing out in elegant relief against the surrounding green hills. Dedicated in 1859, the State House is constructed in the Grecian style of granite quarried in Barre; a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, surmounts the dome; a marble statue of Ethan Allen, a Revolutionary War hero from Vermont, stands at the front entrance. The interior decor is Victorian, with a number of interesting details. Visitors may observe legislative sessions from January to April. Across the street is the Supreme Court Building, an example of modern architecture. On a hill off State Street a few blocks west of the capitol, Green Mount Cemetery was founded in 1854 and has been a memorial for the area's talented sculptors and prominent citizens.
Hubbard Park, behind the State House, offers a good view of the Worcester Mountains and the Winooski River Valley; the park was created through a gift of 125 acres to the City of Montpelier by John E. Hubbard in 1899. Since then several other parcels have been added to the park which now consists of 185 acres and roughly 7 miles of hiking and skiing trails, numerous picnic areas, a soccer and baseball field, a small pond, a sledding hill, and a 54 foot observation tower. The observation tower offers spectacular views of from the highest point in the city.
World War II mementos from the USS Montpelier are on view at the second floor of Montpelier City Hall. Architecture buffs may enjoy a stroll through the Vermont College campus, where many fine examples of Victorian architecture are preserved. Montpelier has the largest historic district in Vermont, and walking tours are offered by the Montpelier Heritage Group, the local historical society and preservation organization.
Rock of Ages Quarry in Barre, producer of one-third of the country's memorial granite, offers visitors a surreal view of a working quarry. Nearby Waterbury is home to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, which offers tours year-round. The world-famous Cabot cheddar cheese is produced in nearby Cabot, Vermont, where factory tours are available. Wanderers will discover several historic covered bridges throughout the region.
Thousands of tourists visit Central Vermont each year, allowing the development of cultural activities in Montpelier beyond what would be expected in an area its size. The Montpelier Theater Guild, a long-time local theater troupe that was recently resurrected after a several-year intermission, offers theater productions at Montpelier's Union Elementary School Auditorium. The Lost Nation Theater presents professional theatrical performances at the City Hall Arts Center. The Onion River Arts Council presents performances by touring companies in a variety of disciplines, including theater, dance, music, and readings at City Hall and at the elegant Barre Opera House. The finest in world cinema, past and present, is offered at the Savoy Theater, while contemporary films run at the Capitol Theater.
Music lovers enjoy the Vermont Philharmonic's season of concerts performed at the Barre Opera House. Band concerts are held on the State House lawn from June through August, and concerts from a variety of musical genres are presented on Sunday afternoons at Bethany Church. The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra Society has offered unique training and performing opportunities for talented string players in the Central Vermont area since the early 1990s.
The history of Vermont is interpreted through exhibits at the Vermont Historical Society Museum in Montpelier. The T. W. Wood Art Gallery, which celebrated its centennial year in 1997, and the Vermont College Art Center offer permanent exhibits by Thomas Waterman Wood, a Civil-War era artist, as well as changing exhibits by New England artists. The Artisans Hand gallery on Main Street features the handcrafted work of more than 125 local artisans.
Arts and Culture Information: Onion River Arts Council, 43 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602; telephone (802)229-ARTS; toll-free (800)639-1383
The State House lawn is the scene of a variety of celebrations during the summer months, such as the Vermont Dairy Celebration in June, and Victorian Ice Cream Social. The Vermont Quilt Festival in nearby Northfield is one of the nation's oldest quilt events, featuring quilt displays, classes, and a merchant's mall. The Vermont Festival of the Arts in the nearby Mad River Valley goes on for three weeks in mid-summer with culinary events, art exhibitions, musical performances, and children's events. Each September brings the Granite Festival in Barre and the Celebrate the Winooski Parade and Festival in Montpelier. Winter brings the Kids' Fest in January and February, a series of six weekly live performances. Sugaring season, which usually begins in March, is celebrated at various locales in the area.
Burlington, Vermont, less than hour's drive from Montpelier, is home to the Vermont Grizzlies minor league baseball team, which plays at Red Oak Park. The Grand Prix Tennis Tournament is held in nearby Stowe in early August.
One of the principal attractions to life in central Vermont is the easy accessibility to nearly limitless outdoor recreation. Because of this the region attracts outdoor enthusiasts and encourages active, healthy lifestyles among the people who live there. In 1997 Montpelier initiated the first major Central Vermont bicycle and pedestrian paths. The paths provide unrestricted access to the riverbanks and views of the river and both downtown and rural areas of the city. There is excellent mountain biking in the Green Mountains throughout the region. Swimming is available at the Recreation Field pool, at a beach in nearby Wrightsville, or at any of a number of smaller lakes in the area. Winter events include sledding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing at Hubbard Park, and ice skating outdoors or at a local indoor rink. Montpelier is located within 25 miles of four major ski areas, including Sugarbush, Stowe, and Mad River Glen; there are also dozens of lakes and streams for fishing and canoeing, mountains, golf courses, tennis courts, bowling alleys, and other recreational attractions. The Green Mountain National Forest covers much of the area.
Downtown Montpelier offers a variety of specialty shops, such as The Artisan's Hand, a cooperative craft shop featuring works by Vermont artists, and Bear Pond Books, stocking a good selection of New England titles. Salaam Boutique has trendy fashions from local designers. The Vermont Trading Co. has natural fiber clothing, and Onion River Sports features quality outdoor clothing and gear. Morse Farm, a few miles away, specializes in maple syrup, fresh produce, and cheese. Bragg Farm Sugarhouse and gift shop, in nearby East Montpelier, offers films and tours about maple sugarmaking, as well as tasty food specialties and unique gifts. The Hunger Mountain Co-Op at Stone Cutters Way features local and regional beers and wines.
The presence of New England Culinary Institute offers a unique advantage to the hospitality industry in Montpelier. The institute maintains three restaurants, including the celebrated Chef's Table restaurant, a bakery, and a catering service, offering nouvelle cuisine and other items prepared by students. The GoldenDomer Brewery offers tastes of the latest brews. Conoscenti and Giasole offer Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. J. Morgan's is a steakhouse right near the railroad tracks. McGillicuddy's is an Irish pub and Thrush Tavern claims the best burger in town. The area offers scores of other dining opportunities ranging from fast-food to elegant restaurants and charming country inns.
Visitor Information: Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 336, Barre, Vermont 05641; telephone (802)229-5711; email CVChamber@AOL.com. Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, toll-free (800)-Vermont