Summary
This page features multiple topics related to the history of Middletown Springs: an introductory profile; an article with highlights from the book, History of Middletown, Vermont, written by Barnes Frisbie (1867); and information about MSHS publications and merchandise with links to order and inquiry forms.
Middletown Springs History
History of Middletown, Vermont, by Barnes Frisbie (1867, reprinted 1975), tells the early history of the town in great detail. About 1774 a few settlers, mostly from Connecticut, started coming into this area that lay in a fertile valley ringed about by high hills. A good-sized stream promised power for mills that a new settlement would need. In increasing numbers they cleared land, built log cabins, prepared fields for planting, and laid plans for mills along the river. When news came of the war with England, many able-bodied men dropped everything and headed south. After the Battle of Bennington, they were mustered out in 1778-79 and came back, eager to take up their unfinished work.
As grist mills, tanneries, distilleries and sawmills were set up along the Poultney River, and as new settlers arrived, residents of the surrounding towns who lived closer to the new settlement than to their own village centers joined in the new venture. By 1783 this settlement, then parts of Ira, Tinmouth, Pawlet and Wells, held about 300 dwellers, and interest arose about organizing a new town.
The link below takes you to a full article with highlights from the book. To purchase a copy of the book scroll down to Publications on this page.
Read the Full Article
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Publications
Middletown Springs Historic District
The Middletown Springs Historical Society is proud to announce its publication of the Middletown Springs Historic District book, a collection of the photographs and descriptions of the historic properties and places in the village of Middletown Springs, based on the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, prepared by historic preservation architect, Matthew Cohen, and approved by the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. in 1985.
Middletown Springs Historic District book, $60, postpaid.
History of Middletown, Vermont
by Barnes Frisbie, (1867, revised 1975)
137 pp. Gently used copies, $35 postpaid.
Photocopies or CD copies, $20 postpaid.
Another excellent reference is The Historic Architecture of Rutland County (1988, out of print but available to see at the Historical Society), which includes additional historic properties in Middletown Springs.
Merchandise
The Society also has for sale a limited number of antique Middletown Springs Mineral Water bottles. Prices range from $60-$150, depending on condition.