Barre VT History
Barre is a hardworking town with an old-school working-class feel. It’s a union stronghold with an underlying foodie spirit.
The granite industry sprang up soon after the War of 1812 and shaped the city. Giuliano can find more information about the granite industry at Hope Cemetery where he finds beautiful examples of stone carvings.
History
Barre VT is a town with a rich and long history. It has a strong and thriving granite industry and easy access to nature. The state capital is located in the town,as are a number of historic downtown districts.
In 1900,Italian immigrants brought a radical,anarchist labor movement to the city,which was then known as “The Granite Center of the World.” The old Socialist Labor Party Hall still stands.
By the turn of the century,the city was noted as Vermont’s most diverse municipality. The granite industry grew rapidly,and Barre Opera House became a cultural center,hosting Helen Keller,Annie Sullivan and socialist Eugene Debs,among others.
Environment
The average wind speed in Barre is 12.3 mph (20.04 kph). The month of July has the lowest average wind speed at 8.4 mph (13.5 km/h).
On average,it rains or snows in Barre 27% of the time. Based on the historical weather data of 4 nearby meteorological station.
The growing season is 4.6 months long,from May 11 to Oct. 4,with an average shortwave solar energy of 5.6 kWh per square meter. Barre has two travel scores: the tourism score favors clear,rainless days,and the beach/pool score favors warm temperatures with perceived humidity below 80%.
Arts & Culture
Barre has a close-knit community with an active cultural scene. Residents appreciate the area’s strong granite heritage and take pride in their town’s history. The Rock of Ages granite quarry and the Hope Cemetery – an outdoor art gallery featuring memorials and sculptures carved from local stone – showcase the city’s enduring heritage.
Sculptures crafted for the annual RockFire festival celebrate the arts,fire and Barre granite. The Vermont History Center provides a glimpse of the state’s rich history with centuries of collections,including the document that admits the state to the Union and a Revolutionary War atlas.
Food & Drink
Barre is much more than the “Granite Center of the World.” Barre is a great place to live. It offers convenient downtown shopping,diverse recreation options,excellent schools,and a wide range of housing options.
Situated on Depot Square in historic downtown Barre,Quarry Kitchen & Spirits offers appetizers,salads,dinner specials and more! Enjoy local Vermont beer,wine and cocktails in the dining room or at the bar.
Instacart’s same-day alcohol deliveries will deliver your favorite drinks to your hotel room,vacation rental,or Airbnb. See our alcohol delivery service page for more details.
Nightlife
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a cocktail or a pint of beer with friends,Barre has plenty of options for you. Barre has a variety of bars that offer live music,Karaoke,and other activities. Some bars are great for families while others cater to adults.
Each March,families participate in Freezing Fun for Families a winter softball tournament at the regulation amateur softball field. Proceeds go to help local families of children with cancer.
Barre has a vibrant golfing community,which plays weekly leagues. Golf clubs in the area are a great place to practice your skills.
Education
Barre,with its close-knit communities and focus on education is a great place to raise your family. Barre has a robust public school system,which offers an excellent education to all students.
The district’s superintendent last fall pitched a budget increase of 8.6%,but the board has trimmed it down to a 1.5% request that will go before voters on Town Meeting Day. Some residents think the increase is excessive,while others say that the district faces rising costs and staff shortages.
Housing
In this month,flooding has caused hundreds of homes to be destroyed across the state. Social service providers are scrambling to find shelter options for those displaced.
Barre is home to a Public Housing Agency,which operates affordable housing programs with federal assistance. For information on openings,visit their page with waiting lists.
The median income in Barre is 3.4 times higher than the home prices. Explore Zillow home values and trends to see how they’ve changed over time. Connect with a local realtor to find out more about the buying and selling power of your area.