Seniors Enjoy Historic Woodstock

Woodstock is another of those Greatest Mainstreets awards from Travel & Leisure. Named after Woodstock in Oxfordshire, England and first settled in 1768 by James Sanderson and his family, Woodstock, Vermont is the quintessential New England Village. It is also a thriving Vermont resort community where, in 1824, Alvin Adams first established the railroad express line, later to become known as the Railway Express.

Senior travelers, the town is one of New England’s premier four season vacation destinations. I am always on the lookout for more National Historic Landmarks and The Billings Farm and Museum falls into that category with its restored 1890 farmhouse. The site honors Vermont’s rich agricultural past. Much of the village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Senior visitors find that Gillingham & Sons, one of the oldest general stores in Vermont, is one of their favorite places to visit. To quench your appetite, try Bentley’s and The Mountain Creamery that are a couple Woodstock favorites.

Senior Visitors Find 400 Year Old Trees

Enjoy the 400-year-old hemlock trees at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Woodstock Town Hall Theatre has seen continuous use since its construction in 1900 as the Woodstock Opera House. The First Congregational Church on Elm Street in Woodstock was dedicated in 1808. It is well worth a peek inside.

It is suggested that the best way to get a feel for the village is to take a stroll along Elm and Central streets, browse the shops and galleries, and then walk across the covered bridge that spans the Ottauquechee River. That bridge is smack in the center of town and surrounded by restored Georgian, Federal Style and Greek Revival homes.

And how about a good hike? It starts in Faulkner Park and is perfect for senior hikers with the switchbacks easy to traverse and make the climb just plain fun.

Called ‘The Prettiest Small Town”…

Described by Ladies Home Journal magazine as “The Prettiest Small Town in America”, it is a visual treat with tree lined streets, perennials and annual flowers everywhere the eye can see. The Village curves around the beautiful Outtaquechee River.

Senior visitors enjoy exploring the small shops, art galleries, country stores and learning about the local legends. The Boston Globe describes Woodstock as “Almost ridiculously pretty.”

The Woodstock History Center houses a large collection of antique furniture, fine art, clothing, textiles, silver, ceramics, photographs, and early American toys.

The Dana House, the History Center’s Museum, was built in 1807 for village merchant Charles Dana. In 1943 it was sold by the Dana family and turned into a museum.

So when you are in Vermont, don’t miss the quintessential New England Village and The Prettiest Small Town in America. Try to top that for a small town honor, huh?  jeb