In Caledonia, expansive landscapes meet unusual stories: a vast state forest and a significant bog stand alongside an art gallery with a long history and traces of an early flight. As you explore the region, you can choose your own focus among nature experiences, museums and local agricultural history.
A Bog, a Forest and a Fire Lookout Tower
Groton State Forest spans 26,164 acres across parts of Caledonia, Orange and Washington Counties. Its varied, far-flung recreational opportunities include camping, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Peacham Bog Natural Area offers a different perspective: at 748 acres, it is Vermont’s second-largest bog. The figures bring into focus the difference between an expansive forest and a clearly defined natural area.
A fire lookout tower built in 1912 stands atop Burke Mountain in Darling State Park and is considered Vermont’s first fire lookout tower. The panoramic view from there stretches across the surrounding landscape. Activities at Darling State Park also include hiking, skiing, mountain biking and primitive camping.
Art and Stories from Caledonia
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum combines a local founding story with a remarkable art collection. Horace Fairbanks presented the Athenaeum to the people of St. Johnsbury in 1871. In 1996, it was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is home to the oldest intact, unaltered art gallery in the United States—a remarkable chapter in American art history.
The Caledonia County Fair also brings history and the present together. It is described as Vermont’s oldest agricultural fair and presents the state’s agricultural past and present in an entertaining and educational way. Another historic event is linked to the fair: on September 15, 1910, Charles Willard made the first airplane flight in the state of Vermont there.
In Peacham, the Snow Roller Barn Museum displays large rollers pulled by horses or oxen. They were used to pack snow on the village roads well into the 20th century. The Peacham Historical Association’s Historical House, meanwhile, is a former residence dating from the 1820s. Its exhibits explore Peacham’s history; the house is open to the public during the warmer months.
Demonstrations, Exhibitions and Seasonal Discoveries
At the Ashbel Goodenough Blacksmith Shop, you can watch blacksmithing demonstrations and explore a collection of tools and equipment. Check the demonstration schedule before your trip. Catamount Arts presents exhibitions in a range of fields, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, new media and installations.
The Fairbanks Museum’s Butterfly House is devoted to native butterflies and their host plants. It is open from June through September. Seasonal celebrations, story times, workshops and community days take turns on the program at the Children’s Museum of the Northeast Kingdom. It offers hands-on opportunities for play and exploration during designated admission times, so check the hours before your visit.
Maple Grove’s Sugar House Museum explains the entire maple syrup-making process. Together with the blacksmithing demonstrations and historic exhibits, it offers insights into a range of crafts and regional traditions. The Caledonia County Fair complements this perspective with its focus on agriculture, while Catamount Arts showcases contemporary art in several forms of expression.
On the Road and in the Daily Life of Local Communities
For a longer journey, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail connects 18 communities over 95 miles between St. Johnsbury and Swanton. It is considered New England’s longest rail trail. The published length may change as more sections are added; check the latest route information when planning your trip.
The St. Johnsbury Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from May through October. As the published schedule may change, it is worth checking before you travel. The St. Johnsbury Welcome Center is housed in a historic railroad depot. Local history can therefore be found not only in museums and exhibitions, but also in a place where visitor information is available.
Discover more destinations: Saint Johnsbury, Lyndon, Waterford, Orleans County, Bennington County, Addison County, Essex County, Orange.
Go to the main travel overview: Vermont.
