TRADITION FOR ITS RESIDENTS. MARISSA VIGEVANI TAKES US TO TUNBRIDGE. Gordon <(10;41;42;11) YOU’RE NOT GOING TO TRAVEL TO DO MANY STREETLIGHTS TO GET HERE (10;41;46;08)> WITH A POPULATION OF JUST OVER 1,200, TUNBRIDGE MAY SEEM LIKE JUST ANOTHER QUIET VERMONT TOWN. BUT FOR THOSE WHO LIVE HERE, IT’S MUCH MORE THAN THAT GARY MULLEN, OWNER OF SEIZE THE DAY FARM OF THE SELECT BOARD, HAS WATCHED TUNBRIDGE EVOLVE WHILE HOLDING ON TO ITS AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH HIS DAIRY COWS Gary <(09;46;21; 22)TUNBRIDGE HAD IN 1960, 60 OPERATING DAIRY FARMS, AND NOW THERE’S FOUR. (09;46;27;06)> (áááBUTT TOááá) Gary <(09;46;35;10) WE THINK OF OURSELVES AS AGRICULTURAL, BUT IT’S MORE OF A BEDROOM COMMUNITY NOW (09;46;40;13)> BUT ONE TRADITION STANDS TALL-THE TUNBRIDGE WORLD’S FAIR. SINCE 1867, IT’S BEEN MORE THAN AN EVENT; IT’S THE WORLD’S FAIR. SINCE 1867, IT’S BEEN MORE THAN WHO HELP RUN THE FAIR, HAVE BEEN RUNNING AROUND THESE FAIRGROUNDS SINCE THEY WERE LITTLE KIDS Gordon Barnaby <(10;31;10;03) IT’S A BIG DEAL FOR A LOT OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN TOWN. A LOT OF THEM HELP PUT THE FAIR ON IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (10;31;20;03)> THIS IS A COUNTRY FAIR AT ITS FINEST, SHOWCASING EVERYTHING FROM ANTIQUE CRAFTS TO LIVESTOCK Dennis <(10;35;29;16) IT’S OLD VERMONT AT ITS FINEST, BASICALLY. YOU KNOW? (10;35;33;14)> (áááBUTT TOááá) Dennis <(10;40;00;22) THE TOWN PRETTY MUCH BECOMES THE FAIR. (10;40;04;29)> IT’S A PLACE WHERE THE OLD WAYS ARE KEPT ALIVE AND WHERE EACH YEAR, THE COMMUNITY NO MATTER THE AGE IS ABLE TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW Dennis <(10;32;48;00) WE HAVE A AGRICULTURE EDUCATION DAY AND WE’LL HAVE 50 TO 60 SCHOOL BUSSES IN THE PARKING LOT DOWN THERE. AND THE KIDS COME AND ESPECIALLY ON ANTIQUE HILL, THEY’LL COME LOADED WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS. AND, YOU KNOW, THEIR HISTORY CLASSES ARE DEALING WITH WHAT WE’RE DOING HERE AT THE FAIR. (10;33;05;22)> DENNIS HAS WORKED UP ON ANTIQUE HILL SINCE HE WAS 8 Dennis <(10;42;24;03) I WAS THE APPRENTICE TO THE BLACKSMITH THERE. AND BASICALLY BEEN THERE EVER SINCE (10;42;31;01)> (áááBUTT TOááá) Dennis <(10;34;58;03) THIS YEAR WE’RE GOING TO BE MAKING A SETTLER’S CABIN BECAUSE IT’S A 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE THE CHARTER FOR <(10;34;58;03) THIS YEAR WE’RE GOING TO BE MAKING A SETTLER’S CABIN BECAUSE IT’S A 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE THE CHARTER FOR THE TOWN. (10;35;07;29)> DENNIS, GORDON, AND GARY ALL TOLD ME IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER THE FAIRGROUNDS SERVES AS THEIR BACKYARD Gary (09;51;24;20) I’d like to die here someday (09;51;27;00) (áááBUTT TOááá) Gary (09;51;32;03) I really enjoy living
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This is Our Home: Tunbridge
From its rich agricultural past to time-honored traditions, discover how this tight-knit community keeps its spirit thriving
Updated: 2:54 PM EDT Sep 13, 2024
With a population of just over 1,200, Tunbridge, Vermont, may seem like a quiet rural town, but it holds deep agricultural roots and a strong sense of community. Gary Mullen, a lifelong resident and chairman of the Select Board, recalls a time when the town had 60 dairy farms, though today only a handful remain. While the town has evolved into more of a bedroom community, its agricultural heritage endures through events like the annual Tunbridge World’s Fair, a staple since 1867.The Tunbridge World’s Fair is more than an event; it’s the heart of the community, showcasing traditional crafts, livestock, and old Vermont customs. Dennis Cilley, who has been involved with the fair since childhood, describes it as “Old Vermont at its finest.” Residents like Gordon Barnaby highlight that the fair is run by locals, with many townspeople helping organize and put on the event each year. For these Vermonters, the fairgrounds are not just a venue—they represent the town’s living history and a connection to its roots.Despite the changes over the years, the spirit of Tunbridge remains strong. The fair continues to draw families, visitors, and schoolchildren alike, offering educational experiences and preserving the traditions of old rural Vermont. For residents like Gary, Tunbridge is more than just a home—it’s a place they never want to leave. As he puts it, “I really enjoy living in Tunbridge and don’t have any desire to live anywhere else.”
With a population of just over 1,200, Tunbridge, Vermont, may seem like a quiet rural town, but it holds deep agricultural roots and a strong sense of community.
Gary Mullen, a lifelong resident and chairman of the Select Board, recalls a time when the town had 60 dairy farms, though today only a handful remain. While the town has evolved into more of a bedroom community, its agricultural heritage endures through events like the annual Tunbridge World’s Fair, a staple since 1867.
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The Tunbridge World’s Fair is more than an event; it’s the heart of the community, showcasing traditional crafts, livestock, and old Vermont customs. Dennis Cilley, who has been involved with the fair since childhood, describes it as “Old Vermont at its finest.” Residents like Gordon Barnaby highlight that the fair is run by locals, with many townspeople helping organize and put on the event each year. For these Vermonters, the fairgrounds are not just a venue—they represent the town’s living history and a connection to its roots.
Despite the changes over the years, the spirit of Tunbridge remains strong. The fair continues to draw families, visitors, and schoolchildren alike, offering educational experiences and preserving the traditions of old rural Vermont. For residents like Gary, Tunbridge is more than just a home—it’s a place they never want to leave. As he puts it, “I really enjoy living in Tunbridge and don’t have any desire to live anywhere else.”
