West Norwich is a close-knit, community centered hamlet. We hope that you love it here as much as we do and we hope to see you at many community functions.
A Brief History
The first homesteader arrived in West Norwich in 1780, and from there it gradually became a well-populated village. Over the years, there were farms, three different churches, a post office, two blacksmith shops, a schoolhouse, cider mill, two or three general stores, sawmills, and potash production. Potash, butter, lumber, and wool were important income generating products in West Norwich in early times. The current Beaver Meadow Union Chapel was built in 1915 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At that time, there was no church in the village and retired schoolteacher, Margaret Kerr, new to the village, organized the community to erect the Chapel. As history tells it, her goal was to encourage some of the more rough-edged townspeople which she frequently observed carousing to become more upstanding citizens.
The first iteration of the one-room Beaver Meadow Schoolhouse was built in 1791, and, at one point, served as many as 35 students. After that building burned in 1921, the community erected the present schoolhouse, conforming to VT State design standards of the time, in 1922. It continued educating the village children until 1946 when the population had declined to where it was more economical for the town to close its outlying schools and educate them all in the main village. The loss of population began around the 1830’s due to deforestation, the ensuing loss of mill ponds from erosion, and the emigration of young people to the West, leaving behind abandoned farms and an aging population. In the early 1970’s, old and new neighbors got together and resurrected the Schoolhouse as a highly successful community center, in which capacity it has served since then. In 2012, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, joining the Chapel in that designation.
The Beaver Meadow community acknowledges that the area we call Beaver Meadow is the sovereign homeland of the Abenaki Nation and People. In their words, “since ancient times, the Abenaki have been here, are still here, and will always be here.” We honor and acknowledge the Abenaki as the Original Peoples of this land. When the Europeans began to create permanent settlements, local Abenaki families shared their crops and showed the ways of living on the land which made survival possible. As Abenaki and European families intermarried, Abenaki heritage has been a central part of Beaver Meadow life for generations.
Today
Together, the Schoolhouse and Chapel are the center of our little community. A
variety of events are held throughout the year, which we hope you will choose to
attend! Regular events include:
- Chapel Gatherings
A variety of services are held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 3:00 from May to December. These include multi denominational faith based services, musical performances, and inspirational speakers, offering a variety of ways to celebrate and acknowledge the spirit of our community. - Bread Oven Pizza and Potluck
Bread oven pizza and potluck night at the Schoolhouse on the last Friday of every month, May to September, 6:00. This is a favorite community gathering at our community-built wood fired outdoor oven. Pizza dough and sauce provided, kindness of Alex G. and Sonia S. The community brings toppings and sides to share. Some nights we are lucky to have community musicians entertaining us. - Holiday Potluck Dinner
Held at the Schoolhouse. Carol singing. Santa makes a visit for the children. - Annual Fall Pig-Roast
Hosted by Peter and Doreen Guillette at the Schoolhouse. A great celebration of generosity and community. - Puppet Shows
Created by neighbor Ria Blaas and performed by community friends. - Additional past events include: Community Yard sales, theater/musical/puppetry events, art shows/sale, educational workshops and presentations, women’s group meetings, yoga classes, hunting season “Hunter’s Lunch” fundraiser, Halloween parties, chess club, game and movie nights, and children’s events.
The community welcomes new ideas and events!
In general, the Schoolhouse and Chapel are available for community use as the calendar allows. Ask about using the Schoolhouse for birthday parties, rehearsal space for musical groups/theater, and personal events of most any kind.
Contact Lindsay Putnam at lindsayputnam28@gmail.com or 802-299-8852 if you would like to have a Schoolhouse activity or be involved in any way.
The Chapel hosts small weddings and memorial services, arts events, candlelight
services, baptisms, and other special events as requested.
Contact Donna Wheeler at phwcpa@aol.com or 802-649-1626 about the Chapel.
Special talents you would like to share with the community are always welcomed! e.g. playing organ at Chapel, joining the music jam at pizza nights, helping with pizza night, organizational skills, ideas for fund raisers for the Schoolhouse Community Center and/or Chapel.
In case of community wide emergencies (e.g. road washouts, blackouts, etc.), the Schoolhouse is available as a warming center.
Sign up for community news and announcement on the West Norwich Listserve, managed by Doreen Guillette. Anyone can subscribe to this group by sending a blank message to west_norwich-subscribe@lists.vitalcommunities.org.
Beaver Meadow Community 