Poultney offers a mix of outdoor recreation and historic charm
In the heart of the Slate Valley, Poultney is a small town that was once an industrial center for slate production and has since transformed into a four-season destination for outdoor recreation. “Some of the biggest draws to the area are the Slate Valley Trails and Lake St. Catherine,” says Suanne Ohl, a Realtor with Northland Real Estate with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. While multi-use trails and a serene lakefront make Poultney a popular destination for outdoorsmen, a quaint downtown and eclectic mix of 19th-century homes attract those looking for historic charm. The town also offers a central location along the Vermont-New York border, between the natural attractions of the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks.
While Green Mountain College was once an integral part of Poultney, it closed in 2019 due to declining enrollment and financial issues. The college’s 155-acre campus is now being transformed into an innovative mixed-use development that will include hotel rooms, condos and a micro-distillery owned by Bhakta Spirits. Construction is underway, although a specific completion date is not yet available.
Multi-use trails and water recreation on Lake St. Catherine
Poultney offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. Residents can access the Slate Valley Trails (SVT) via several trailheads, and a two-mile hike through the Dean Osborne Preserve leads up St. Catherine Mountain to a scenic overlook with views of the Adirondacks. Portions of the SVT connect with the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail, a dirt and gravel path that passes through Poultney as it weaves between Vermont and New York. Select trails are also open to horseback riders in the summer and cross-country skiers in the winter. “Poultney also has a big snowmobiling club, and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers maintains trails that run through town,” Ohl says. Two wildlife management areas are open for hunting and fishing during established seasons: the Birdseye Mountain Wildlife Management Area and the Buczek Marsh Wildlife Area.
Lake St. Catherine stretches into Poultney’s southern half. While most of its western shore is privately owned, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a public access area near its southern end where residents can fish or launch their boats. On the lake’s eastern side, Lake St. Catherine State Park is open from May through September. It features two sandy beachfronts, a playground and various boat rentals. Ohl adds that Lake St. Catherine is a popular spot for winter recreation. “The lake freezes over, so you can go ice fishing or ice skating on it,” she says. Golfers can play a round at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club, which has a public 18-hole course.
Historic farmhouses, Victorian-style homes and lakefront living
The town of Poultney encompasses East Poultney Village, a state-designated village center, and Poultney Village, a state-designated downtown. “East Poultney was the original center of town. Some of the oldest homes are there, and most of them have at least an acre of land,” Ohl says. While East Poultney features 19th-century farmhouses and historic Colonial Revivals, Poultney Village offers charming Victorian-style homes and bungalows with smaller lots. The town’s housing stock reflects its industrial history, as many properties have slate roofs. Further from the center of town, sprawling ranch-style homes and country estates offer residents a taste of rural living and typically have up to several acres of land. Around Lake St. Catherine, waterfront properties are home to seasonal and year-round residents. The median price of single-family homes is around $290,000, and properties sell after an average of nearly four months on the market. The town’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Students can attend the Quarry Valley Unified Union School District
The town is part of the Quarry Valley Unified Union School District. Poultney Elementary School covers prekindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-minus from Niche. The C-rated Poultney High School serves seventh through 12th grade, and its dual enrollment program allows high schoolers to earn college credit from Vermont State University and the Community College of Vermont. Private school options include the Green Mountain Community School, which serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students with an emphasis on project-based learning.
Historic village green hosts concerts and East Poultney Day
In East Poultney, the historic village green is a destination for community events. Festivities range from a summer concert series to the annual East Poultney Day, a fundraiser for the Poultney Historic Society. “They have music, food and vendors set up on the green. You can also do a tour of the museums,” Ohl says. Historic buildings around the green include the United Baptist Church of Poultney, a Federal-style church that’s been part of the community for more than two centuries.
Businesses in downtown Poultney, a local vineyard and a maple farm
In Poultney Village, downtown is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Boutiques and restaurants line Main Street, and groups like the Poultney Downtown Revitalization Committee are working to bring more businesses to the community. “We just got a new restaurant in town called Tasteful Station. It’s an eclectic spot in the old train station, and it’s really just lovely fine dining,” Ohl says. Favorites include locally made products from The Original Vermont Store and craft brews from Poultney Pub, a casual restaurant and bar next to the D&H Rail Trail. Downtown is also home to the Poultney Public Library and Stone Valley Arts, a non-profit organization that hosts live music, art shows and fitness classes.
Outside downtown, spots like Whaleback Vineyard and Green’s Vermont Maple Sugarhouse help preserve the town’s verdant landscapes. “With all the maple sugaring, we have a big maple festival every year in March. You can come tour the maple sugar farms and do tastings,” Ohl says. For groceries, Shaw’s sits in the heart of Poultney Village.
Access to Vermont Route 30, distance to Burlington
Vermont Route 30 passes through Poultney and is the town’s main thoroughfare. Residents are about 70 miles from bigger cities such as Burlington and Albany. The Marble Valley Regional Transit District offers local bus service, stopping outside the former Green Mountain College campus. For flights, Burlington International Airport is about 70 miles away. The closest hospital is the Rutland Regional Medical Center, which is less than 25 miles from Poultney and is the region’s largest employer.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
