TOWN GUIDE:
MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS
S
By Phil Jordan / Photos by Lily Mellor
urrounded by mountains and the towns of Ira,
Poultney, Wells and Tinmouth, Middletown, VT was
founded in 1784. The popularity of mineral springs
discovered there, circa 1811 (later commercially bottled for
consumption) led to the construction of the grand Montvert
Hotel to accommodate visitors, and the town was re-named
Middletown Springs. The hotel, and spring house that cov-
ered the springs fell into disrepair, and the lodging was dis-
mantled circa 1906. The Great Flood of 1927 covered the
springs, but in 1970 members of the Middletown Springs
Historical Society dug out the springs and recreated the el-
egant little spring house. Located in a park behind the town
post office. They are a must-see.
Come autumn, when it’s time to ramble in search of
both fall colors and great food, there’s no place finer for a
diner than Sissy’s Kitchen in quiet, rural Middletown Springs.
Established in 2009 by former innkeeper Sissy Hicks, this
unique country kitchen - just a few steps west from the
town’s crossroads - offers limited seating, but the rewards
in tasty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are amazing. (Sis-
sy’s even makes both fresh and frozen dinners to go.) An
array of desserts and goodies (ginger snap and orange zest
cookies are favorites) raises the temptation level to “impos-
sible to resist”.
Sissy’s is open
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,
and accepts cash and checks only.
(802) 235-2000
sissyskitchen.com
98
94 VERMONT
VERMONT magazine
Magazine
FALL 2019