Derby Vermont 05829

Derby Historical Society

Museum, 35 Junior High Drive, Derby Center, VT
Mailing Address: PO Box 357, Derby, VT 05829
Email: bill@gardyne-vermont.com
Phone: 802-766-5324
Contact: Bill Gardyne, president
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Upcoming Events

Bayley-Hazen Military Road
The Road from Somewhere to Nowhere
Presented by Gordon DuBois

October 12, 2025 at 2:00pm
at the Derby Historical Society Museum
35 Jr High Drive, Derby VT

Refreshments to follow

In the early years of the American Colonies’ revolt against English rule, Jacob Bayley of Newbury, Vermont, repeatedly wrote to General George Washington advocating for a road to be built from Fort Number Four in Charleston, New Hampshire, to St. John’s, Quebec (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), as a route for invading Canada.  It was believed by Washington and others that once an invasion force made its presence known, Canadians would revolt against their British oppressors.  Along with Bayley, Moses Hazen constructed a road from Wells River, NH, to Hazen’s Notch, just west of Lowell, VT. With fears that the British would use the road to invade the colonies, and the eventual end of the war, construction ended in 1779 at Hazen’s Notch.  The road was never used as a military road, but it did function to bring settlers into the newly established state of Vermont.

Parts of the road still exist and can be driven or biked. Using slides, Gordon will provide a history of the road and take you along for a ride on the Bayley-Hazen road.

Gordon lives in Newport, VT, and writes periodically for the Northland Journal. He also writes a monthly outdoor column for the North Star Monthly. Since moving to Vermont from New Hampshire, he has delved deeply into the history of the Northeast Kingdom. His latest project centers on the 1836 Mormon conversion of over 500 residents in the Northeast Kingdom and their exodus to Ohio and eventually Utah.

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The Derby Historical Society brings together people interested in Derby history. The society collects, preserves, and displays material to illustrate the history of the town. The Derby Historical Society Museum is housed in the old 1840 Derby Academy building.  Its aim is to be accessible to all who wish to examine, study, and preserve it.  We also disseminate historical information by holding public live presentations and provide information through local media, coordinate with local schools, and provide information to educate the public about local Derby heritage.  We cooperate with the state and neighboring societies in collecting and preserving local heritage.

Hours and Admission:
The museum is open in the summer on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 – 4:00 or by appointment.
Admission is free, donations are greatly appreciated.

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Orleans County Historical Society

The Orleans County Historical Society owns and operates the Old Stone House Museum, the people’s history museum of Orleans County, located in the Brownington Village Historic District.  The Old Stone House and the Lawrence Barn, an agricultural exhibit, are open for guided tours from May 15 to October 15.  All Orleans County residents receive a discount on admissions at the Museum.  The visitor’s center, located in the Alexander Twilight House across from the museum, is open year-round.  The Prospect Hill Observatory, offering a panoramic view of Orleans County and beyond, is open from May 1 to November 1.  The library and archives, in the Cyrus Easton House are open by appointment year-round.