Established in 1783, it was later eclipsed by Randolph Village, which developed around the town's main railroad depot.

The village now has a distinguished array of late 18th and early 19th-century architecture and is home to an academic campus now housing Vermont State University.

The village flourished, housing a number of industries, until the mid-19th century, when the Central Vermont Railroad was built further to the west.

The district is mainly residential in character with Federal and Greek Revival houses of wood and brick.

Notable exceptions including the historic wood-frame dormitory (now used for other purposes) at the front of the Vermont Technical College Campus, most of which consists of modern buildings and is excluded.