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NEWBURY, VT

Newbury was originally granted to Jacob Bayley who named the town, Newbury, after his erstwhile home in Newbury, Massachusetts.

If you are entering the village of Newbury in the spring you will be amazed by the dazzling display presented by the flowering trees lining the road leading to the center of the village. On the right look for a small brick building bearing the legend Horace W. Bailey Club.

The HORACE W. BAILEY CLUB [44] was built in 1839 as a schoolhouse. Later it became a millinery shop until, in 1904, it was bought by Horace Bailey to house his private library. After Mr. Bailey's death the building had a number of uses before being acquired by the town in 1969. Believe it or not, in 1973, a tornado blew in the front wall causing much damage. Now restored, the building is used for meetings by many town groups.

Continue north on Rte 5 until, on the left, you will arrive at THE COMMON [45] . One of the largest commons in Vermont, this is the center of Newbury village and site of the elementary school, town hall and the old Methodist Church. Halfway along the common, just back from the road and partially concealed by trees, is a large granite marker. Just beyond that, at the next intersection is a green historic marker. Both markers tell of Jacob Bayley, founder of Newbury.

Newbuey Elementary School

The OLD METHODIST CHURCH [46] was built in 1829 and, in 1833, a Seminary was added. Six years later a group of Boston Methodist circuit ministers chose the site for the Biblical Institute that later became Boston University.

Old Methodist Church

Across the road from the church stands the present Tenney Memorial Library [48] , which was built in 1897. Of special historic interest is that preceding the current building on the same site was the Spring Hotel. It was here that people came by train to spend the summer to enjoy the ‘waters'. The sulphur-laden water was bottled in Wells River and shipped worldwide.

Continue north on Rte 5 for approximately 1 mile and take the first left turn over the bridge on to Oxbow Road. Approximately .4 mile, at the bottom of the hill on this dirt road look on the right for the house of the OXBOW CHAPTER OF THE DAR [49] . The house stands on the site where the first meeting of the Vermont State Legislature took place. The present building was originally the District #3 rural school. Look for the millstone and bronze plaque in front of the building. Bear right on Oxbow Road to return to Rte 5.

Follow Rte 5 north for about 4.7 miles to Wells River, Vermont.