LONONDERRY, Vt. – The historic landmark building known as The Mill Tavern, located at 2242 North Main Street, at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 11, in Londonderry, is scheduled for demolition, a matter of public safety. Though there is a future intent to rebuild, the timeline of new construction or a new building’s purpose are uncertain at this time.
Eric Richard has applied for an Act 250 permit for demolition on the property, which is currently owned by Edward Brown. The permit application states, “Demolition of old Mill Tavern structure pursuant to order of Department of Public Safety. Applicant anticipates future redevelopment of the property, but no redevelopment proposal is submitted for approval at this time.”
At the Nov. 4 Londonderry Development Review Board Meeting, Ryan Foster, project architect, reported that the Vermont Department of Fire Safety had requested that a study be done on the structural integrity of the mill building, which stood for more than 180 years, and encountered mass flooding during the Great Flood of 2023, as well as historic flooding in the late 1920s.
Foster stated that an engineer conducted an assessment of the building, which determined that two portions of the building are structurally sound, but that overall the building is structurally unsound. It was recommended that the building be stabilized due to the failing timber structure, or that it be demolished. The Vermont Department of Fire Safety requested that either of those two options be completed by Nov. 15.
Foster explained that the project and the studies following were initiated about two months ago, and added that the commercial property requires an Act 250 permit. Foster said that the state has expedited its review, providing for the tight timeline that was given by Fire Safety. The intent is to deconstruct the building as soon as possible, likely the beginning of December.
Foster also reported that Vermont River Corridors, or the Department of Environmental Conservation, was consulted, being that the building is 65 feet from the West River. Foster relayed that the department had no issue with demolition of the building. It was stressed in the permitting, and to the river corridors that, “We want to retain the footprint, because the intent is to rebuild the building.” Foster reported that the department also had no issue with a reconstruction project as long as a new building was not built any closer to the river than the mill.
The Londonderry Development Review Board approved the application for demolition.
“For more than 180 years,” wrote the Londonderry Arts and Historical Society, “this single riverside parcel has reflected Londonderry’s evolution.” The Londonderry Water Power Association formed in 1867, constructing a dam across the West River, and constructing the large building for a woolen factory.
“The property was purchased in 1883 by Freeman W. Williams, who refitted [it] as a thriving machine shop…In 1894, Williams sold the shop to machinist Horace A. Hayward.”
“When the historic flooding of the late 1920s washed the mill dam away, the building’s industrial chapter closed. Yet the post-and-beam frame held firm…The building adapted alongside Londonderry’s shifting economy.”
In 1967, Edward Brown purchased the building, converting it to ski lodge, and then reconfiguring on a restaurant and tavern. “Over the next 50 years, Brown became not just a restaurateur, but the cultural curator of North Main Street,” all while retaining the site’s history and showcasing the old tools and artifacts that were once used there.
In recent correspondence, Richard expressed, “I have been exploring possibilities. Part of that exploration involved understanding what sorts of buildings could be permitted here.” He concluded, “The fire marshal’s demo order forced our hand in ways we hadn’t anticipated. Consequently, we are focused on completing this process before determining the next steps…it is a very long way from anything certain.”
Demolition will take place sometime after Dec. 1, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., to demolish the existing structure, remove demolition debris from the site, and stabilize and regrade any areas that were disturbed by the demolition process. The existing foundation will remain in place, and the two portions of the structure that were deemed sound will be left standing. Items from inside the restaurant will be stored inside the remaining structure, and some of the building materials will be salvaged if possible and stored on site, away from view of the road.