Discover five covered bridges in Bennington County.

This driving tour will take you back to a time when covered bridges were seen as a necessity rather than a quaint structure. Crossing a covered bridge is like entering a portal of time, transporting you back to the days of horse & buggy. Vermont’s covered bridges span time and progress, linking more than just the opposite banks of a river or stream.

Starting in Bennington, take a drive and enjoy the five covered bridges in Bennington County, Vermont.

Silk Road Bridge
Located just across from the entrance of Bennington College on Route 67A.

This bridge spans the Wallomsac River and was built about 1840 probably by Benjamin Sears. The original name for this bridge was the Locust Grove Bridge.

Paper Mill Village Bridge
Route 67A .5 mile west of the Silk Road Bridge (watch for sign). The Paper Mill Village Bridge spans the Walloomsac River. The Paper Mill Village Bridge was originally named for a 1790 paper mill that was one of the state’s first. This bridge was built by the son of Benjamin Sears, who build the Silk Road Bridge.

The Paper Mill Village Bridge area provides enough room for tour buses to park and unload passengers offering photo opportunities to tour participants. Catch a glimpse of the waterfall below.

Henry Bridge
Located just off Route 67A- turn left on Murphy Road (watch for signs).

This bridge received its name from Elnathan Henry who bought the land from James Breckenridge and constructed the Henry House in 1769. The Henry House operates today as a Bed & Breakfast Inn and is located directly across from the bridge. The Henry Bridge spans the Wallomsac River. The original bridge was constructed in 1840. In 1989 a complete restructuring was done by Blow and Cote, Inc.

Chiselville Bridge
Just off Route 7A in Arlington. Turn right onto East Arlington Road 1.9 miles to bridge.

The name Chiselville Bridge comes from a former chisel factory nearby but the bridge was previously named High Bridge and the Roaring Branch Bridge. The Chiselville Bridge spans the Roaring Branch Brook and was built by Daniel Oatman in 1870.

At that time, the cost to build this bridge was $2,307.31 including the builder’s fee. The Chiselville Bridge survived the flood of 1927, which destroyed hundreds of Vermont covered bridges. It appears that the strategic placement of this bridge allowed the flooded Roaring Branch Brook to pass harmlessly underneath.

West Arlington Bridge
Take a left off Route 7A in Arlington onto Route 313 west 4.4 miles on left side. This bridge spans the Battenkill River which is well-known by canoeists, kayakers and fly fisherman. The Battenkill is also famous for some great swimming holes. In addition, inner tube rides along the Battenkill are popular during the summer months. The West Arlington Bridge is one of Vermont’s best loved and most photographed covered bridges. The picturesque setting includes views of a local church steeple and the former home of artist Norman Rockwell. Rockwell’s home is now known as the Inn on Covered Bridge Green and operates as a Bed & Breakfast Inn.

Covered Bridge Facts
You may pass through All Five Bennington County Covered Bridges in a standard size automobile – one lane only.

Bridges were covered to keep the wood dry and thereby avoid rot. This became the trend in 1805 when a bridge designed by Timothy Palmer, an architect proved most durable.

The most common type of covered bridge is Town Lattice. All Bennington County Bridges are of this type. Most covered bridges are painted red because iron ochre was an inexpensive pigment.

Here is an early recipe for bridge paint: 2 qts skim milk, buttermilk or whey; 8 oz newly slaked lime, 6oz oil from ground flaxseed, 2oz turpentine; 1.5lbs pulverized ochre.

We invite you to learn more about covered bridges at The Vermont Covered Bridge Museum at the Bennington Center for the Natural & Cultural Arts in Bennington, Vermont.