Community pride shines through in Bennington
Like other communities in Hillsborough County, Bennington’s agricultural origins took root in the 1700s. Bennington soon shifted to an economy based on mills powered by the Contoocook River, which flanks the village. Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. began operations in Bennington shortly after the War of 1812 and still produces paper today. This local employer holds the distinction of being the nation's longest-running paper company owned by the same family. “It's a clean paper mill,” says Leslie MacGregor, village resident and Director at GEP Dodge Public Library in Bennington. “It won a variety of environmental awards for being eco-friendly. Where the river comes through the buildings, it comes out cleaner than it goes in! There is no smell.”
Bennington is a quiet community overall, although residents come together for the occasional celebration, like the annual Rhubarb Festival in June, where locals can delight in baked goods, jams, a craft fair and a petting zoo. “We do have a fairly close-knit community,” MacGregor says, noting that residents have traditionally stayed in this rural village for generations, though Bennington has seen some new faces in the last five to six years.
Bennington’s 19th- and 20th-century homes
Sidewalks lining Main Street connect some homes to the elementary school, general store and public library. Branching out from the center of the village, Bennington’s rural roads cut through the trees. “Downtown, some older buildings have been converted into apartments, and most are rentals,” MacGregor says. “There is a high rental population because of the ski area.” Crotched Mountain, a destination for skiing, snowboarding, hiking and golfing, is just 3 miles up Route 47.
The area’s Cape Cods, ranch-style and New Englander-style homes were primarily built between roughly 1870 and 1970. As a result, garages are few and far between, and residents tend to park on or near driveways. Home prices range from about $310,000 to $420,000.
Students are zoned for the Contoocook Valley School District
The Contoocook Valley School District, rated B on Niche, serves the area. Pierce Elementary School, rated C, is located in Bennington. Middle schoolers may attend C-plus-rated Great Brook School before advancing to B-rated ConVal Regional High School. Over half of high school students take Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, which cover topics like graphic design, manufacturing and engineering. The school district offers limited school choice through open enrollment and tuition-based out-of-district transfers, both subject to space availability; a lottery may occur if applications exceed capacity.
Kayaking, hiking and skiing all within a few miles of Bennington
Bennington offers four-season recreation. Hillsborough Recreation Trail stretches 8 miles along the Contoocook River, passing old railroad bridges and mills. This multi-use path allows activities including hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. On the other side of the river, walking paths wind through Bruce Edes Forest. Locals can kayak at Powder Mill Pond and on the smooth waters of Whittemore Lake, which is home to wildlife like bald eagles. The lake permits catch-and-release fishing and is accessible from Bennington Town Beach.
General store and local eateries offer convenience in Bennington
Bennington has a few options for shopping and dining. In addition to groceries, White Birch General Store sells to-go meals made with locally sourced ingredients, like sandwiches and lasagna. This quintessential New England general store located inside a saltbox house also has a coffee bar. “They have a huge assortment of good quality New Hampshire gift items,” MacGregor adds. “It’s quite a nice store right next to the library.” Alternatively, locals can sit down for breakfast at Common Place Eatery or relax in Alberto’s Italian Restaurant casual, cozy dining area. About 11 miles south in Peterborough, there are more restaurants and retailers and a wider grocery selection at Shaw’s.
Driving through Hillsborough County
Bennington is a car-dependent community with no public transportation. Route 47 goes through the village to Francestown . Drivers can also connect to Route 202 across the river, which extends south into Massachusetts and about 30 miles northeast toward Concord . Bennington is about 10 miles north of Monadnock Community Hospital via Route 202, and about 30 miles west of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
