Guilford, Vermont is located in the southeast of Windham County, resting along the Massachusetts border to the south and New Hampshire not far to the east. A community with a long and interesting history, Guilford was actually Vermont’s largest town as long ago as 1790. Now, with a population of about 2,100, Guilford is by no means considered a large community. Yet with its beautiful old covered bridges, churches, and one-room schoolhouses, Guilford maintains an unmistakable sense of history while at the same time having a reputation as one of the truly unique small communities in southern Vermont.
Guilford has some of the most quintessential small town landmarks in all of Vermont. Sites like the Christ Church, Broad Brook House, and Guilford Center Meeting House were all built in the early 19th Century and are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings are found in what is considered the historic Guilford Center; shop for great local products at the Guilford Country Store, visit the charming Guilford Free Library, or even see some of the exhibits at the Guilford Historical Society Museum to learn more about the area and its history.
Beyond the town center, venturing through the rest of Guilford will enable you to see the beautiful Vermont landscape of rolling hills and lush forests, with small family farms that have in some cases been in operation for generations. A visit to these farms will allow you to sample some of the best maple syrup, cheeses, and fresh produce in the area.
Of course, being in a place like Guilford that is known for its natural beauty means it is always easy to escape into the woods to hike, run, or mountain bike, and in the winter months there is great skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. A bit more off the beaten path are the many tucked away swimming holes, such as those along Broad Brook, which despite sometimes being hard to find are well worth the effort of searching for.
In fact, the same could be said for the town of Guilford as a whole. With its feeling of peaceful seclusion and gorgeous setting, this small community really has the feel of being a well-kept secret, tucked away in its own corner of Vermont.
Currently Listed in Guilford, Vermont
