Historic Essex Center

Historic Essex Center

Village Center Designation

Historic Essex Center has been designated a ‘Village Center’ by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development in January 2025. This designation recognizes the preservation of a traditional New England village defined as a clustered mixed-use area for residential, civic, religious, and commercial purposes. Historic Essex Center has been a civic, cultural and economic center since it was established in 1794. The 2024 Town Plan envisions an Essex that continues building a community that is connected, diverse, sustainable and a joy to live in. One of the most important ways to do this is by investing in our centers. The Village Center designation serves as a catalyst to revitalize Essex Center. 

The designation also contains economic incentives for revitalization efforts, as well as training and technical support to support existing and entice new businesses. This initiative gives breaks in permitting to allow for growth, while continuing to emphasize the traditional importance of a village center for concentrated economic development. View the full program benefits.

Village Center Documents

  1. Acceptance Letter
  2. Application to ACCD
  3. Boundary District Map
  4. Village Center Benefits

Essex Ctr District Map

Essex Center is a State Designated Historic District

The architecture of Essex Center is a sampling which spans the establishment of the Center to the present. Around 1822 Essex Center began to supersede the original settlements at Page's Corner and Butler's Corner. It was at the center that the churches of the town established themselves. The range of periods of buildings are reflected by various architectural styles such as Greek Revival, Gothic Cottage and Italianate. Rather than being noted for examples of high-style architecture, however, Essex Center illustrates vernacular building types of rural Vermont.

View the full Historic District Document for listing and photos of historical buildings in Essex Center. 

Essex Center Historic District

Contact Information

Katherine Sonnick, Community Development Director
ksonnick@essex.org