The History of the Village of Chester, Vermont

Here comes a Parade!

The Village of Chester was originally chartered in 1754 by NH Governor Benning Wentworth, under the name of Flamstead. But no attempt was made to settle the town because of the French and Indian Wars. Following the end of the war, Wentworth, in 1763, issued a second grant naming the town New Flamstead and in 1764 two families arrived to settle.

Shortly thereafter, the King of England decreed that the western boundary of New Hampshire was the western shore of the Connecticut River prompting the residents to send delegation to NY Governor William Tryon who issued a third charter, this time naming the town Chester.

By 1774, the fierce independence of the town gave rise to Chester's own Declaration of Independence, which stated that the acts of the British Parliament which abridged their rights, not be heeded. Though Vermonters fought in the Revolution, they withdrew from the newly formed nation, making Chester part of an independent republic until Vermont was granted statehood in 1789.

Chester, located at the convergence of the three branches of the Williams River, offered fertile ground for farming to the early settlers.

Covered Brigde

In 1849, the railroad from Boston to Lake Champlain was completed and Chester became a commercial and shipping hub for the surrounding communities as well. The prosperity that came with the railroad built many of the Victorian style buildings in Chester Village (Route 11), and the stone buildings which make up the Stone Village on North Street (Route 103) are now a part of a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.

So Much Fun.

CHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Main Street On the green PO Box 118 Chester, VT  05143 phone: 802-875-4307		Maintains the Historical Society Building on the Green and Yosemite Firehouse on Rt 103 North. Open June to October 2 to 4 PM other times by Appointment.