1. Howland Hall, 1 West, 1895

Frank Sherburne, a grocer, built this house after purchasing the entire West Street property from the Vermont Methodist Seminary in 1890. The three lots still retain the Methodists' restriction that "no intoxicating liquors" shall be sold or "business or amusement" permitted "contrary to good morals." Named after Fred Arthur Howland, an attorney and trustee of Vermont College, it is a Queen Anne style home now used by the College.

2. Dillingham Hall, 3 West, 1897

Built by Thomas Marvin, a grocer in partnership with Sherburne, this Queen Anne style house was the residence of William P. Dillingham and his son Paul and family after 1903. A U. S. Senator and Vermont Governor, Dillingham was president of the board of Trustees of Vermont College for many years.

3. Bowers Hall, 5 West, 1910

A Montpelier granite dealer, Riley C. Bowers, built this excellent example of shingled style architecture. It has a recessed full-width front porch with squat Tuscan columns, and contrasts well with the Queen Anne houses nearby.

4. College Hall, 1868-72

After purchasing Montpelier's Civil War hospital buildings and adjoining land, the Vermont Methodist Seminary constructed this college building to house offices, classrooms, a gymnasium, and a chapel. Costing nearly $50,000, the Victorian four-story brick structure with the mansard roof is typical of this period. It has twin watchtowers, also with mansard roofs, and the front and back of the building are almost identical. The tall and narrow windows are accentuated by decorative cornices above.

5. Harris Hall, 56 College, 1903

This residence, also built by Frank A. Sherburne, is of the Colonial Revival style. It has Ionic pilasters and columns, and a hip roof. The present garage was a one-and-a-half-story carriage barn with hip roof and cupola.

6. The Arsenal, 71 College, late 1860s

At the time of the Civil War, Montpelier was chosen as a northern hospital location for chronically ill soldiers. The hospital was located on the present Vermont College green. As compensation to the State, the Secretary of War assigned to Vermont surplus arms, equipment and ammunition. This two-story structure is all that remains of the arsenal complex of buildings, which were located on the site now surrounded by an iron fence with granite posts. The tall arched windows and front pilasters give this small building unusual stature. Likely used as a caretaker's residence, it has been a private home since the 1920s.

7. 66, 80, and 85 College, 1860s

Wards for the Civil War hospital patients were located approximately where the college green is now, positioned in a semi-circle and connected with a boardwalk. After the war, some of the buildings were moved and joined together to make private dwellings. Examples that are still in use are these one-and-a-half-story Green Revival frame houses.

Montpelier tour brochures are available for 50 cents at the Vermont Historical Society Museum.

Montpelier committee members included Margot J. George, chairperson; Barbara Leber, Lyn Blackwell, Betty Russell, Dehlia Good, David Blosser, Gordon Bock, and Paul Haskell.

Our thanks to the following for their assistance: City of Montpelier, Vt. Correctional Industries, Vt. Agency of Development and Community Affairs, The Burley Partnership, and all those who wrote the first and second "Walk Through Montpelier" booklets.

GO TO:

[email protected]