I had never heard of the 251 Club of Vermont until I received a résumé at work in which the applicant described his love affair with Vermont and his affiliation with the 251 Club. The Club, which is open to Vermont natives and non-natives alike, celebrates the Green Mountain State and charges its members with visiting—not simply driving through—the 237 towns, nine cities and five unorganized towns in Vermont. Members document their adventures through photos and notes and receive the coveted “plus” membership when they’ve toured each of the 251 cities and towns. A membership is simple to obtain: there’s a form to fill out and a payment of $18 to fulfill your registration fee and yearly dues. The challenging part is taking the time to stop and truly visit each town along the way, getting to know the real Vermont.
How 251 Club of Vermont Came to Be
The idea for the club, which currently has over 4,000 members, 400 of whom are active, was put forth by Arthur Wallace Peach, a professor at Norwich University and president of the Vermont Historical Society, in the summer 1954 issue of Vermont Life Magazine. Peach’s idea was that every town—no matter how big or small—has beauty to uncover, sites to discover and interesting people to meet. He hoped that the Club would enable people to see the real Vermont at a deeper level.
“A swift turn from one of our main roads, and you are on your way to the rewarding experience of a lifetime and memories good until the years are frosty.”
251 Club members come from all walks of life from motorcyclists and bicyclists to college students wanting an adventure to retired folks looking for cover bridges, historical sties, general stores, farms and other unique stops along the way. Members can purchase a journal that outlines all of the towns in Vermont to serve as a personalized account of one’s travel throughout Vermont.
Although certainly time-consuming for those members who take the Club seriously, it is a way to methodically see every nook and cranny of the state of Vermont and keep track of when you first visited and what places are of most interest. Every year, the club meets for an annual gathering, including lunch and a silent auction with items donated with Vermont businesses, to share stories of their travels throughout the state.
Taking the 251 Club of Vermont Challenge
I’m not one to stand down when a challenge comes along, so Randy and I will be signing up and using the 251 Club as an excuse to take more road trips and explore the Green Mountain state one town at a time. Afterall, Dr. Peach and I have the same goal: to encourage more people to come to our beautiful state and get to know the real Vermont—the dirt roads, the farmers, the mountains, the artisans, and everyone and everything in between.
Want to join the 251 Club and start travelling like a local in Vermont? Need more information? Visit their website and you can log-in for demo access to see how you can document your travels around the state through a membership, along with other perks.
Categories: Activities, Destinations