Bridgewater, Vermont, offers two distinct perspectives on a stay: scenery and outdoor trails, as well as the history of the town and its many hamlets. The Appalachian Trail corridor passes through North Bridgewater; the Bridgewater Historical Society preserves local history. There is also a wildlife management area, a recreation park, and winter activities on trails.
Trails, Wildlife, and Outdoor Recreation
The Appalachian Trail corridor runs for about four miles through North Bridgewater. This corridor also serves as a wildlife corridor for large mammals. The trail section and its significance for wildlife offer two distinct perspectives on the landscape: one on the trail’s route and the other on the habitat of large mammals.
Another nature attraction is the Ottauquechee Wildlife Management Area: the 284-acre area lies on the south bank of the Ottauquechee River in Bridgewater. Hiking and snowshoeing are possible there, provided access is available through adjoining private properties. Take this access requirement into account when planning. Information about this area thus combines specific activities with a condition that is particularly important when choosing a destination for an outing.
Snowmobiling is also among the winter activities described: visitors ride snowmobiles on several miles of trails in Bridgewater. The Town Plan adopted on September 25, 2018, lists a baseball/softball field, a tennis court, a basketball court, a shuffleboard court, a picnic area, and a playground for the Bridgewater Recreation Park. The documented amenities there therefore range from ball and racquet sports to picnic and play areas.
Local History in Schoolhouses and Historic Buildings
The Bridgewater Historical Society preserves the history of Bridgewater and its many hamlets. It is housed in one of Vermont’s oldest schoolhouses. Its collection includes artifacts, maps, photographs, and information about gold mines, mills, and the Civil War in the region. The different materials offer various ways to explore the local past: objects sit alongside images, maps, and records. The Society hosts rotating exhibitions in the Old Brick Schoolhouse.
Another historic building is the Capt. Richard Southgate House. It dates to 1797 and was restored by the community in the 1970s. The former Bridgewater Woolen Company mill in the village represents a later change of use: the 2018 Town Plan describes its conversion into numerous retail shops and refers to them as “The Marketplace at Bridgewater Mill.”
Another local landmark is Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater Corners, at the intersection of Route 4 and 100A. Together, the trail corridor, riverside area, recreation park, and historic sites offer different starting points for planning. Those most interested in exploring local history will find several types of historical material at the Historical Society; those who want to focus on the outdoors should take the access requirement for the Wildlife Management Area into account.
Discover more destinations: Weathersfield, Woodstock, Cavendish, Brownsville, Hartland, Barnard, Windsor, Plymouth.
For the broader travel overview: Windsor County.
