Welcome to the Peacham Historical Association
Our mission is to celebrate and preserve the rich history of Peacham, Vermont. This website will give you an overview of the Historical Association’s collections, publications, programs and other offerings.
We hope you will join us at an upcoming event or sign up for a membership. Check back often to find out what’s new about Peacham’s history.
It’s the 100th Anniversary of the Peacham Historical Association!
We are coming out of our COVID quiet to celebrate with a full set of exciting programs for your enjoyment and edification. This summer Peacham Village has launched “Sundays in Peacham”, a series of events and attractions for the public to attend, and we are on board. Check our Events page for details. Here is a short list:
We have a new book, Preserving Peacham’s Past: 100 Years of Collecting by the Peacham Historical Association. This book features the 100 most intriguing objects from our collections. The images at the top of this page are from the new book. We’ll present a selection of these images over the next few months. You’ll want to pick up a copy of the book to learn the stories behind these images.
The Peacham Academy: The Heart of Peacham, an exhibition at the Historical House. This year will be the final Alumni Association reunion, and we are honoring the vital role this Academy played in our town. There will be a wide range of fascinating objects including photographs, banners, documents, sports equipment and more.
Demonstrations at the Ashbel Goodenough Blacksmith Shop
The 2021 quest, The Stories We Tell: Freedom and Equity in Peacham, has ended, but it will become available again during Fall Foliage Week in late September. Check back for details.
A tour of our 1924 themed Lorna’s Garden.
Visit our Events page for details.
Peacham – Settled 1776
Peacham, a picturesque hill town in northeastern Vermont, has a population of 732 people that swells to over 1,000 in the summer months. The village center with its cluster of early to mid-19th century Federal and Greek Revival homes has been designated a National Historic District. Several large working farms are located a short distance from the village. The rolling fields, together with secluded ponds, brooks, and dense woodlands, give the town its distinctive rural character.
First settled in 1776, Peacham has played a substantial role in the history of Vermont and of the nation. Thaddeus Stevens, abolitionist leader and US senator during the Civil War period, is the most prominent of a roster of distinguished residents past and present.
Peacham continues to play a vital role in the life of the region. The Northern Skies Observatory was constructed in 2010 through the efforts of local citizens and offers schools and the community opportunities to study and contemplate the skies. The Historical Association was founded in 1916 and has actively sought to preserve and display the town’s history through exhibits in its Historical House, Ghost Walks, and publications. Our small town hosts a number of well-attended annual events, including its July 4th celebration featuring a tractor parade, ghost walk, games, and pig roast. The Peacham Acoustic Music Festival draws visitors from near and far in mid-August. The Fall Foliage Festival and the Winter Carnival are also popular Peacham events. You can learn about current events in Peacham on the Town’s website.
