Equinox House Historic District

The Equinox House Historic District is a neighborhood in Manchester centered on Main Street and Union Street with civic and commercial buildings surrounding the prominent Equinox House hotel. The structures display various architectural styles and function today as lodging, shops, and offices.

The district gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, with an expansion in 1980 that added more buildings to the protected area. This official status marks the neighborhood's role in preserving the region's past.

The Orvis Building from 1856 marks the birthplace of a company that changed how people fish with flies around the world. Walking through the district, you can see how a local business grew into something that shaped an entire sport.

The district is easy to explore on foot since the main buildings are arranged along two streets. Visitors should plan to walk at a relaxed pace to observe the details of the facades and structures throughout the neighborhood.

The First Congregational Church from 1871 stands as the tallest building in the area and dominates the neighborhood's skyline. Across from it sits the Bennington County Courthouse from 1822, which is much older and reveals how the area changed over many decades.