On our way back through New England to Niagara Falls, my fiancee and I spent two days in Bennington, Vermont. We knew of Bennington Pottery and had heard the area was steeped in history and we definitely found that to be true.
In the southeast corner of Vermont, Bennington boasts museums and mansions, apple farms and battlefields, historic covered bridges, famous citizens, pottery, maple sugar, antiques and glorious fall colors.
Vermont Route 9 runs through the center of this town, which is a National Register Historic District, and the Walloomsac River runs north of it. I think the area presents a strong and stoic image with all the brick, stone and straightforward architecture. You won't see much Victorian gingerbread around here.
Three key factors helped form Bennington: pottery manufacturing, textile mills and transportation. In my opinion, you'll get to know Bennington best by taking one of the two walking tours. Each is about 1 1/2 miles long. There is also a driving tour of the five historic covered bridges in Bennington County. We loved all three tours; however, since we were driving in a one-ton diesel van, the covered bridge tour did get a bit nerve-wracking at times.
Bennington, Vermont, would definitely be included on my list of things to do during a fall foliage trip in New England.
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