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Building a Bright Future on a Rich Historic Past -Story by Bette Reynolds 
The village of Bellows Falls began in 1797 as a mill settlement within the town of Rockingham. Brick, paper and machine mills were by the canal on the Connecticut River, which flows adjacent to Canal Street, just off the Square on Main Street. Colonel Benjamin Bellows, the town's namesake developed the site.
Bellows Falls is situated where the Connecticut, Saxtons and Cold Rivers merge. Between 400 - 600 million years ago, two continents collided and separated at this site. This geologic event along with subsequent shaping by glaciers created a terraced effect to the landscape which characterizes this community today. A series of three terraces comprise the residential areas, and the major business district is close to the Connecticut River near the New Hampshire border. The first canal in America was built at the Great Falls; the first vessel was let through the nine locks in 1809. The locks were removed in 1858 and today the water is used to generate power. Two notable historic sites are the Immanuel Episcopal Church, circa 1800's, complete with a serviceable Revere bell. Also the Rockingham Meeting House, a national landmark, built in 1787. It is of colonial architecture and is situated on route 103, north of town, high on a hill. An annual pilgrimage is observed the first Sunday in August. In October of 2000, Robert McBride founded the Rockingham Arts and Museum Project (RAMP) to fill the recently renovated Exner block building on Canal Street in Bellows Falls with talented craftspeople and artists. Today it is the home of four businesses, three galleries and a shop that stocks handcrafted gifts and folk art from all parts of the globe. The owners of Coyote Moon, Aristides and Devik, travel to Mexico to stock their shop with folk art and handcrafted gifts from socially responsible fair trade organizations. They also display a stunning collection of sterling silver jewelry. The Three Rivers Gallery is owned by Marcie Maynard and features exquisite handcrafted furniture by her husband Peter. She also displays fine art, arts and crafts, and there is fine gift giving to be had with the variety of items for sale, such as handcrafted wooden clocks, ceramics, baskets, jewelry, scarves, photography and also unique leaded glass lamps and carpets. As you are browsing at the Exner block and contemplating your purchases, you can also see and hear the canal waters rushing past outside of the rear windows of the the gallery. Another gallery adjacent to the Three Rivers Gallery is the unusual William Accorsi Sculpture and Books. Once could get lost in the wonder of the items on display. In the collection is a wood and button sculpture and large wire sculpture, in addition to small paintings, collage and children's books. Next door is yet another one of a kind gallery, Heartwork. Four women friends own a cooperative that exhibits paintings, carvings, photos and painted furniture. On the square in downtown Bellows Falls is an outstanding bookstore - Village Square Booksellers. Just to add to the variety - all within a fifteen minute walk of each other is The Framery of Vermont, a custom framing and art gallery located in the "L" of the square across from the post office. A contemporary eclectic cuisine restaurant is on Rockingham Street named Oona's. Oona Madden also owns the CafŽ next door. Just a little farther north on Rockingham Street is The Upward Spiral, which carries holistic products, enchanted gifts and offers massage therapy and a Reiki clinic. Along with the numerous shops and eateries, the village is home to a large number of beautifully maintained Victorian homes. The quiet residential streets and Vermont ambiance invite strolling so prepare to step out of your car to experience this lovely corner of Vermont.
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