White River Junction is an unincorporated village situated in the town of Hartford, Windsor County, in the lush hillsides of Vermont. It is named after the White River, which unites with the Connecticut River here. This location used to be the first and biggest railroad hub in Vermont and New England. The downtown area reveals urban architecture at the threshold to the 20th century and has been selected a National Historic district.
Over the past few years, some of the village’s historic buildings have been occupied by creative-minded people and are today home to artists’ studios, a used bookstore, a printmaking cooperative, a costume shop and a retro-clothing store, not to mention the Main Street Museum, called Vermont’s strangest museum. Northern Stage is a professional regional theater company which settled down in the old opera house and stages plays year-round.
White River Junction houses the Center for Cartoon Studies designed for students focusing on sequential art. Furthermore, it features the Tip Top Building, a restored 45,000 square foot bakery that is home to artists and creative businesses. Tourists will also find a State of Vermont Visitors Center downtown, and there is a lovely park at the convergence of the two rivers.
Highlights
Main Street Museum: founded in 1992, this odd and avant-garde museum showcases all sorts of unusual and abnormal exhibits and pays homage to the 18th century cabinet of curiosities.
New England Transportation Institute and Museum: the museum’s programs include exhibits illustrating over 400 years of river, rail and air transportation history.
Northern Stage: since 1992, the non–profit regional professional company offers high-quality theater in Briggs Opera House.
Tip Top Building: this complex of several buildings dates from the 1880s and is leased to artists and creative businesses, including many healing arts practitioners, and also includes a restaurant.