The Windsor tavern where the state constitution was drafted is now preserved as the Old Constitution House, a Vermont historic site. According to historical documents and the content of the constitution itself, this was one of the first written constitutions in North America. What makes Old Constitution House even more significant as a historical destination is that Vermont's constitution was the first to abolish slavery, include universal suffrage for men and set up a system of financial support for public schools.
Elijah West owned a tavern on Main Street in the village of Windsor, but probably didn't originally plan on having the site become so well-known and historically significant. The Old Constitution House is called the Birthplace of Vermont and the current facility looks much as it did when it was used as a meeting place.
Records indicate that the building was used as a tavern until the mid-1800s. The structure was moved to another street and eventually used as a warehouse. A small park occupies the original tavern site. Around the turn of the 20th century, efforts to preserve the Old Constitution House began in earnest. An association formed for the purpose in 1911. Fifty years later, the association passed ownership of the building and its collections to the State of Vermont. The site is now part of the system run by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.
The museum is open from late May through mid-October, Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $2.50. Children under 14 — free of charge. 16 North Main Street, Windsor, Vermont. (802) 672-3773
