Vermont History Room

The Vermont History Room was organized in 1993 to house the Library’s special collection of Vermontiana and materials on local and New England History.
The Vermont History Collection’s emphasis is on Bennington Town and Bennington County history, though there is much material on Vermont in general. Some genealogical information is available, including a selection of town directories (ca. 1928 – 1967).

Highlights of the Vermont History Collection include: Town of Bennington National Register of Historic Places Sites and Structures Survey, Urban Sites and Structures Survey, and Rural Sites and Structures Survey, Vermont State Yearbooks (1915-1999), local high school yearbooks, and subject files maintained on topics related to Bennington County and Vermont.

The Vermont History Room is housed on the first floor of the Library and is wheelchair accessible. There is no charge for use of the collection.
The Vermont History Room is staffed by trained volunteers (*hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 2-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-12 noon). *Please call ahead to confirm if the Vermont History Room will be open.

A small endowment was established in support of the collection, with income restricted to the care and development of this special collection. Gifts of books, pamphlets, and collections of family papers and photographs, and other relevant materials are actively solicited. Bookplates noting donor names are placed in each gift item.

The Collection is dedicated to the memory of Jean Campbell Leake.
The Vermont History Room is open most days for two hours and staffed by volunteers courtesy of the Bennington Historical Society. Please call ahead to be sure there is someone there to help you.