Brownington is a rural town with an intriguing history
Brownington is a rural area in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, a region defined by its mountains, lakes and diverse outdoor recreation. With its farmstands instead of restaurants, homes on acres, and a large freshwater fishing pond, life runs slower here, in touch with nature. "Our clients are drawn here for the scenery, the peacefulness and its proximity to the interstate," says Vermont native Tyler Dupuis, a broker for Great Northern Land Company Inc. The town is best known as the home of Alexander Twilight, the first Black person to graduate from college in the United States. Twilight later founded a boarding school in Brownington in the 1830s for local students of the then Orleans County Grammar School. The stone building still stands in Brownington's tiny historic district as a museum devoted to the history of Orleans County and Twilight, giving locals a spot to explore their place in American history.
While Brownington is set up for homesteaders instead of shoppers, Interstate 91 flows along the town's western side, connecting residents to wider Vermont. It's around 5 miles to the village of Orleans for the nearest grocery store and 15 miles to the larger cities of Newport and Derby.
A lifestyle in the countryside on acres
Ranch and farmhouse styles, cabins, Colonial Revivals and custom builds are connected by long country roads here. The oldest homes date back to the 1800s. "You have some properties on a couple acres and then some on hundreds of acres. It all depends on what someone is looking for," says Dupuis, adding that he recently listed a home on 500 acres in Brownington. Some homes come with private wells, barns, established fruit trees and garden beds where someone could easily establish a homestead. The median sale price in Brownington is $320,000 but homes on vast acreage can head upwards of $720,000.
Outdoor recreation in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom
Fishing, hiking and boating spots are easy to find within Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Brownington Pond offers a large freshwater fishing spot and a concrete boat ramp in town. The pond is adjacent to an expansive trail network within the roughly 400-acre Derby Town Forest. Lake Willoughby, just south, flows through a deep valley carved by glacial erosion between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. It's the deepest lake in the state, with depths exceeding 300 feet, and has a beach on its northern and southern ends. The lake's southern end is surrounded by Willoughby State Forest, covering over 7,600 acres with numerous trails. Lake Derby and Lake Memphremagog are within 15 miles. Lake Memphremagog straddles the North American and Canadian border, serving as a gateway between them. Jay Peak Ski Resort is less than 30 miles away.
Farm fresh finds and restaurants outside of town
Residents can get farm-fresh food in town between Millers' Amish Baked Goods and Rooty's Apple Orchard. The orchard is open seasonally and sells Cortland, Honey Crisp, Paula Red and Macintosh apples. It's also known for its cider and donuts. Millers’ Amish Baked Goods' farm stand is a go-to for canned goods, pies, sweet bread and homemade quilts. The Gap Pub and Grill is just outside town, not far from Lake Willoughby, and offers a casual menu of burgers, salads, wraps and appetizers. Around 4 miles west, the village of Orleans has a small grocery store and a few more comfort food spots, including Carriage House Cafe & Grill. Walmart Supercenter and Price Chopper are in Derby. The East Side Restaurant & Pub, located on Lake Memphremagog in Newport, is a popular spot to dine by the water.
Starting at sister elementary schools
Students begin at Brownington Central School and Orleans Elementary School, which are sister schools in the Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School District. Orleans Elementary covers kindergarten through fourth grade and earns an A minus on Niche. Brownington Central School serves fifth through eighth grade and earns a C rating. Learners may then advance to the B-rated Lake Region Union High School, which is part of Lake Region Union High School District #24. The high school celebrates creativity through student art shows and an annual spring concert.
Interstate 91 connects Brownington to greater Vermont
Interstate 91 is on the fringes of Brownington and serves as north-south route through Vermont. Rural Community Transportation operates fixed and flexible routes throughout the Northeast Kingdom, including Brownington.
Flooding is possible in Orleans County
Brownington's home county can and has flooded. The last major incidence was in 2024, when heavy rain led to numerous road closures, including in Brownington.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
