A small village at the base of Mount Ascutney
As the Connecticut River flows between Vermont and New Hampshire, it passes by Ascutney, a small village dotted with farms in the rural town of Weathersfield, Vermont. This community sits in the shadow of its namesake mountain, which quickly rises to more than 3,100 feet, the highest peak in Windsor County. Whether they’re on Mount Ascutney or the river, residents enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle and a sense of community. Less than 500 people live here, often gathering for dinners at one of the village's three churches or participating in events organized by the Weathersfield Proctor Library. “There are lots of things and places to go even though it’s in a small town,” says Amy Messina, a Town and Country Realty broker whose office is in Ascutney. “You’re close to the New Hampshire line for shopping in Claremont. You’re close to Interstate 91, so you can zip north and hop over to 81 to reach the rest of the Upper Valley.”
Year-round recreation at Mount Ascutney State Park
From the banks of the Connecticut River to the summit of Mount Ascutney, nature is always nearby in Ascutney. Wilgus State Park is one of several state parks within a few miles of the village, offering forested hiking trails, tent camping and a canoe launch. The steep incline of Mount Ascutney is traversed by skiers in the winter and mountain bikers in the summer. “It has become a new mountain-biking mecca,” says Kate Cassidy, a 15-year Realtor with Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty. “They have trails all through the mountain.” Skiers looking for more trails can head 23 miles west to the Okemo Mountain Resort with over 600 acres of skiable terrain. Golfers can choose between John P. Larkin Country Club, which offers a 9-hole golf course with views of the Connecticut River, and Crown Point Country Club, featuring an 18-hole course surrounded by trees. The private Running Bear Camping Area is in the heart of Ascutney, offering its campers a pool, a playground and a basketball court. Its pavilion hosts live music throughout the summer. Messina says residents will drive 10 miles to the Stoughton Pond Recreation Area for swimming, boating and fishing. The pond is home to rainbow trout, stocked yearly by the Vermont Department of Fish and Game.
Cape Cods, log cabins and Colonial Revivals with mountain views
The streets of Ascutney are mostly unmarked, shifting from pavement to dirt as they flow over the village’s gently rolling hills. The summit of Mount Ascutney peeks over the top of hardwood trees surrounding the village’s single-family homes, which rest on spacious, level lots, typically an acre or more. Yards are landscaped to personal taste, often featuring barns or sheds, fruit trees, decorative windmills and birdbaths. With some homes as old as the mid-1800s and others as new as the late-1990s, buyers will find an eclectic mix of styles. “You’ll see old Cape Cods, farmhouses, log cabins, ranch-style homes and Colonials,” Messina says. Most homes fall between $250,000 and $450,000. Potential buyers should note that properties have private wells and septic tanks, and some homes come with pellet stoves to supplement oil-based heating systems. Manufactured homes, located next to Running Bear Camping Area, are also available for under $100,000.
Much to do at the Weathersfield Proctor Library
In the center of the village, along U.S. Route 5, is the Weathersfield Proctor Library, a 1900s red brick building hugged by flowering shrubs. It’s where residents can check out a good book and connect with their neighbors by joining community groups, such as the Weathersfield Garden Club. Children’s story time is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning, and the library organizes family-friendly outings year-round, like tubing trips down the Connecticut River. One of the library's biggest events is its annual Book, Bake and Mini-Yard Sale, held each September with all proceeds benefiting the library and its outreach efforts.
A classic country store experience at Ascutney Market
U.S. Route 5 runs north-south through Ascutney, parallel to the Connecticut River. A small shopping center, anchored by Batteries Plus, opened along the highway in recent years and has become a welcome addition to the community. “We desperately needed this business park,” Messina says. It’s home to Fireside Beverage, known for its rotating craft beer stock from Vermont breweries, and Bear Trail, a takeout-only café serving Mexican fare. Less than a half mile south is Ascutney Market, a country store and deli offering fresh baked goods, local maple syrup and cheeses. Neighboring the village’s Subway and Dunkin’ is Exit Ate, a longtime local restaurant now under new ownership that’s a popular spot for a classic American breakfast. Fresh produce and locally grown flowers can be picked up at the Ascutney Village Farmers Market. Messina says residents drive over the river and into Claremont, New Hampshire, to shop at national chains, including Walmart Supercenter and Hannaford.
Weathersfield School goes green
Earning a B-minus from Niche, Weathersfield School serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and is known for being energy-efficient. Its building is topped with solar panels, and in the winter, classrooms are warmed by a wood-chip-burning heating system. The school offers individualized learning with a 15-1 student-teacher ratio and a passionate parent-teacher organization that puts on events, such as the annual Back to School BBQ. With no public high school in Weathersfield, students can select a high school in a neighboring town or city to attend. The C-plus-rated Windsor High is the closest option, about 6 miles north. Hanover High, receiving an A-plus, is a popular choice. Rated the second-best public high school in New Hampshire, it’s located a little over 25 miles from Ascutney. Claremont Christian Academy, which gets a C rating, and Kimball Union Academy, earning an A-plus, are nearby private options. River Valley Community College, known for its nursing and accounting programs, is across the Connecticut River in Claremont, New Hampshire.
Getting around the Upper Valley
Without public transportation, a personal vehicle is needed for daily life. “Every once in a while, you’ll see some people on horseback,” Messina says. “It’s not their standard mode of travel, but it’s nice to see.” Ascutney residents have quick access to Interstate 91, which connects to Interstate 89 for trips to Lebanon, New Hampshire, a city roughly 24 miles north that’s popular for its retail. Hanover, New Hampshire, home to the Ivy League’s Dartmouth College, is about a 25-mile drive up I-91. Sought-after by students looking to pursue medicine, business and engineering, Dartmouth is a major employer for the Upper Valley. Residents make a quick trip over the Connecticut River into the town of Claremont to receive care at Valley Regional Hospital or catch an Amtrak train. Lebanon Municipal Airport, a 20-mile drive north, offers flights to destinations such as Boston's Logan International Airport via Cape Air.
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
