Old Constitution House
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Old Constitution House
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The Old Constitution House in Windsor, Vermont, where the state's constitution was signed
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| Location | 16 N. Main St. Windsor, Vermont |
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| Coordinates | 43°29′03″N 72°23′8″W / 43.48417°N 72.38556°WCoordinates: 43°29′03″N 72°23′8″W / 43.48417°N 72.38556°W |
| Website | Old Constitution House |
| Part of | Windsor Village Historic District (#75000212) |
| NRHP reference # | 71000075 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
| Designated CP | April 23, 1975 |
The Old Constitution House is a historic house at 16 North Main Street in Windsor, Vermont. It is the birthplace of the Vermont Republic and the Constitution of the State of Vermont. A mid-18th century building built in a simple Georgian architectural style, the Old Constitution House was originally called the Windsor Tavern, and belonged to Elijah West at the time of the signing of the constitution. The house is a Vermont State Historic Site, and is administered by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. It is also listed on National Register of Historic Places, separately since March 11, 1971 as well as a part of the Windsor Village Historic District since April 23, 1975.
The land presently identified as Vermont had multiple claims upon it in the 18th century. British Royal governors from New Hampshire and New York claimed portions of the area, and settlers from Connecticut and Massachusetts had claimed land and begun settlement. In 1764 British King George III ruled that New York had jurisdiction of the area, even though most of its settlement had taken place under New Hampshire-issued grants. Settlers faced continuing competing claims and demands for tax from both New Hampshire and New York, and exorbitant costs to transfer grants from New Hampshire to New York. The conflict continued and grew, and Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys formed a militia aligned primarily against the New York colony and its governor.
In January 1777 representatives of the grants met in convention at Westminster. The convention declared its independence from all external forces, and adopted the name "New Connecticut." The group reconvened on June 4, 1777 at Windsor, a letter by Dr. Thomas Young of Philadelphia, who supported the attempt of independence, was read. Young urged the adoption of the name "Vermont" and the creation of a constitution for Vermont.
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