There are 228 sites on the Vermont Register of Historic Places cited for the residential, commercial, civic and religious architecture of primarily Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival style. Many historic buildings were built after the arrival of the Rutland and Washington Railroad in 1847 and after the slate and other industries prospered in the late 1800s. Poultney's Main Street, listed in part on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic Places and as well as selected by the state as a Designated Downtown, consists of historic buildings from the 1800s to the 1930s.
East Poultney was settled in 1771 by Ethan Allen's cousins. Also having a well-preserved architectural heritage as noted by its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, East Poultney was once the major village center. Its focus is the triangular green, with its architectural style of Federal, Greek and Gothic Revival style houses, churches, school, and shops. There are 58 sites listed on the State Register in East Poultney, including houses, two churches a store and post office and three museums. Outstanding examples of high-style Federal and Greek Revival buildings reflect the presence of Elisha Scott, a designer-builder, during the early years of the 19th century. The green is dominated by one of his buildings, the East Poultney Baptist Church, constructed in 1805. The Eagle Hotel (now named the Eagle Tavern) was constructed in the late 18th century. It was home to Horace Greeley, founder of the New York Herald, and his co-worker, George Jones, founder of the New York Times.
The renovation of the historic Stonebridge Inn on Route 30 is a major project that Poultney has undertaken to assure preservation of historic resources. The Inn was built in the 1800's in the style of porticos and columned porches. For many years thereafter it became a physician's office. The Stonebridge Inn was donated to the Town of Poultney after a severe fire. Voters approved the use of grants and in-kind contributions to restore the inn. This architecturally valuable building will become a major landmark for people visiting Poultney.
The western part of town is occupied by the "Taconic Foothills", also known as the Slate belt. The Slate belt is comprised of true slates that are less metamorphosed than the mountains to the east. The area is known for its past slate quarrying operations, with remains of slate mills, quarries, and rubble piles still visible.
Recreation resources are plentiful. One-third of Lake St. Catherine is located within the town limits. Lake St. Catherine, believed to be located in the trough of an ancient riverbed, is several miles long. While the western shore is dense with year round and seasonal homes, for many years the east shore has provided an inn and private summer camps for vacationers' use. Also on the eastern shore is Lake St. Catherine State Park, which consists of 117 acres. Lake St. Catherine State Park consistently ranks third in total user visits of all Vermont state parks. The park itself was once a children's summer camp and farmland, but opened in 1953 as a small picnic and swimming area. Today, it provides summer camps, full bath facilities, swimming, boating, camping, water skiing, fishing, a playground and a nature museum. Lake St. Catherine Country Club is one of Vermont's best golf courses. This extremely beautiful and valuable resource is a focus for summer recreation and many seasonal homes.
Other recreational opportunities are offered by the Town's Recreation Commission, which provides a year-round program for children and adults. Many private organizations also provide social and recreational opportunities. Local thespians portray Shakespeare in the Park each summer, to the accolades of the many people who gather to watch. On the first Saturday in June, and again in the fall, Poultney's Main Street comes alive with the Town-Wide Yard Sale. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors several "Downtown Saturday Nights" with street entertainment, merchant sales and good food - a real family event! The Delaware and Hudson Hiking Path, local rivers and streams provide more outdoor recreational opportunities. The Vermont Association of Snowtravelers (VAST) uses the D & H right-of-way, and two other identified routes.
The Delaware and Hudson Recreation Path was created in 1986 when the Vermont General Assembly authorized the Vermont Agency of Transportation to lease the Washington branch of the Delaware and Hudson rail right-of-way to the Vermont Department of Forests and Parks for recreational use. The section of the trail within Poultney is 7.14 miles in length. The trail's 19.77 miles runs from the New York State line in Rupert, through Pawlet, Wells, Poultney and Castleton where it ends. The trail is open to non-motorized recreational use, except that snowmobiles are permitted in winter. The Village has signed a lease, which includes supervision and maintenance of the trail within the Village. A partnership of several organizations will be developing and installing rail trail mile markers. A commemorative slate marker will be placed at the trail's beginning in Castleton, VT on Route 4A. The marker will commemorate the use of the rail by the slate trains that carried their product to nearby towns.
Green Mountain College is an outstanding cultural resource for a town of just 3600 people. Founded in 1834 as the Troy Conference Academy (Methodist), it has become a private, 4 year, environmental liberal arts college with about 700 students and a faculty of 50. During the summer, the campus is the site of conferences, theater, and sports camps. Solar Fest is a nationally known symposium/educational renewable energy trade fair held annually on the campus of Green Mountain College the second weekend of July. Most college facilities are open to town residents all year.
There are 7 churches in town, in addition to the chapel at GMC. These institutions provide for the spiritual needs of the community, and are also an integral part of the social and community service fabric of the town. Most of these churches are of historical interest, many are the typical New England churches, with steeples that reach toward the heavens. The Catholic Church is a Greek Revival style church, historically maintained with beautiful stained glass windows.
Community volunteer service organizations also contribute significantly to the well being of a community. Local volunteer organizations cover a broad range of interests including health, recreation, safety, agriculture, environment, religion, arts, history, economic development, youth, senior citizens, social service, public affairs, fund raising and education.
