Old Constitution House

In the 1770s the land that became Vermont was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire, and its settlers, resisting outside control, declared their own independent republic. Delegates gathered to write a framework of government for this self-declared state.

They met in Elijah West's tavern in Windsor in July 1777. As they debated, word arrived of the British advance in the Champlain Valley during the Revolutionary War, and the delegates pressed on to finish their work even as danger loomed.

The constitution they adopted established Vermont as a functioning republic that would remain independent for fourteen years before joining the United States as the fourteenth state in 1791.

The 1777 Vermont constitution stood out for provisions that were radical for the era. It was the first constitution in the emerging United States to prohibit adult slavery outright, and it extended voting rights to men without the property requirements common elsewhere.

These were landmark statements of principle. Historians note that ending slavery in practice took longer than the words on paper, and enforcement was imperfect, but the document put antislavery and broad suffrage into a founding charter decades before such ideas took hold nationally.

That combination of ideals makes the Windsor tavern a meaningful place in the longer American story of freedom and citizenship, not just a local landmark.

The tavern was later moved and restored, and today it operates as a state historic site with exhibits on the constitution, the delegates, and Vermont's path to statehood. Its modest scale is part of its power: momentous decisions were made in an ordinary public house.

Windsor itself rewards a short visit. The town became an important center of precision manufacturing in the 1800s, part of the birth of interchangeable-parts industry, a legacy preserved in a local museum.

Just outside town, the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, among the longest covered bridges in the United States, crosses the Connecticut River to New Hampshire, tying together the region's history and scenery.

The historic site is generally open in the warm months, so late spring through fall is the window to see the interior and exhibits.

Fall adds Upper Valley foliage and the scenic river setting, a fine time to combine the house with the covered bridge.

Winter typically finds the site closed, though the town and the bridge can still be seen from outside; confirm seasonal hours before a cold-weather trip.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Old Constitution House, in Windsor, Vermont, is a historic site revered as the birthplace of Vermont, where the constitution of the independent Republic of Vermont was adopted in 1777. In this building, then a tavern, delegates met and adopted a constitution that was notable in history as the first in what became the United States to prohibit adult slavery and to establish other progressive principles. Preserved as a state historic site, the building interprets this pivotal moment and the founding of Vermont, honoring its remarkable and forward-looking constitution. A meaningful landmark of history and principle, it educates visitors. With its founding history, the Old Constitution House offers a fascinating destination in Vermont.

The Old Constitution House is historically important because it is where, in 1777, delegates adopted the constitution of the independent Republic of Vermont, a document notable as the first constitution in what became the United States to prohibit adult slavery, along with establishing other progressive principles like broad voting rights for men. Vermont existed as an independent republic for years before joining the Union, and this founding moment in Windsor gives the town its title as the birthplace of Vermont. This landmark and principled history makes the Old Constitution House a meaningful destination in Vermont.

You can tour the historic building, once a tavern, where Vermont's constitution was adopted, view exhibits interpreting the founding of Vermont, the adoption of its remarkable constitution, and the era, and reflect on the significance of the first constitution to prohibit adult slavery in what became the United States. The historic site, the exhibits on Vermont's founding, and the story of its progressive constitution are the draws, offering a meaningful and educational experience. Approaching this landmark of principle with reflection is rewarding. With its history and exhibits, the Old Constitution House offers an engaging visit in Windsor, Vermont.

The Old Constitution House is typically open seasonally, generally from late spring through fall, when the historic site and its exhibits are accessible and the Windsor area is pleasant to explore, with fall foliage lovely, while it is a mostly indoor site. Because it is seasonal and hours can vary, checking the current schedule before you go is wise. It pairs well with the nearby Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge. For access to the historic site, aim for late spring through fall at the Old Constitution House in Windsor, Vermont.

The Old Constitution House is in Windsor, Vermont, within reach of the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, the historic town of Windsor, Quechee Gorge and the Woodstock area to the north, and the Connecticut River valley. That makes the Old Constitution House a fascinating stop to combine with the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge and the other attractions of east-central Vermont on a visit to the state.