Kent Neighborhood Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kent Neighborhood Historic District
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | S of Dorset at Dorset West and Nichols Hill Rds., Dorset, Vermont |
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| Area | 210 acres (85 ha) |
| Built | 1775 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78003203 |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1978 |
The Kent Neighborhood Historic District is a special area in Dorset, Vermont. It looks much like it did in the early 1800s. This historic district is centered where Dorset West Road and Nichols Hill Road meet. It is also important because of meetings held here in 1775. These meetings led to Vermont becoming an independent republic. Later, Vermont joined the United States as the 14th state. In 1978, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historical places in the USA.
Contents
What is the Kent Neighborhood Like?
The Kent Neighborhood is in the western part of Dorset. It is located south of the main village area. The district follows Lane Road to Dorset West Road. Then it goes further west along Nichols Hill Road. This area is mostly residential, meaning people live in houses spread out along these roads.
Homes in the District
Most houses here are made of wood. They have outer walls covered with overlapping wooden boards, called clapboard. Many homes show the style of the Federal period. This was a popular building style in the United States from about 1780 to 1830. The oldest house in the district was built around 1783. Most of the older homes were built before 1850. There are also a few newer houses from the 1900s mixed in.
One interesting building was once a one-room schoolhouse. It was built around 1834. Another important house belonged to George Holley. He was a key person in developing the marble quarries nearby. Marble quarries are places where marble stone is dug out of the ground.
Why is the Kent Neighborhood Important?
The Kent Neighborhood has a rich history. It played a big role in Vermont's early days.
Cephas Kent and Early Meetings
One of the first settlers in this area was Cephas Kent, Sr. He moved here in 1773. He built a house and a tavern. A tavern was a place where people could eat, drink, and stay overnight. Cephas Kent's original buildings are no longer standing.
However, his tavern was the site of very important meetings in 1775. At that time, the land that is now Vermont was disputed. Both New York and New Hampshire claimed it. Settlers in the area needed to make their own agreements. These meetings at Kent's tavern helped them decide their future.
The Birth of the Vermont Republic
The agreements made at Kent's tavern led to a big event. In 1777, the independent Vermont Republic was formed. This meant Vermont was its own country for a short time. It was not part of New York or New Hampshire. This period of independence lasted until Vermont joined the United States in 1791.
Today, a marble monument marks the spot where Kent's Tavern once stood. It was placed there in 1912. Many of the older houses in the Kent Neighborhood were built by members of the large Kent family.
