Get to know Springfield

Throughout their relationship, Tom & Lauren have made many trips to Springfield to visit family, and have been involved in the transformation of the barn. They helped clear debris as the renovations began, gave their input as the barn underwent construction, and partook in many late night dance parties there with friends. They are excited to be the first couple to celebrate a wedding on the site, and look forward to returning in the years to come with their future family.

Springfield is a historical manufacturing town, which in 1888 welcomed the Jones and Lamson Machine Tool Company (J&L) under the successful leadership of James Hartness. By the mid-1900s Springfield was responsible for 10% of the national production of machine tools. As a result, J&L had a large influence on the supply of machine parts that supported the U.S. effort in World War II. The small town even caught the attention of the Axis powers, with it being listed as the 7th most important bombing target in the U.S. because of the impact the town was making on the Allies' war effort.

James Hartness, the 58th governor of Vermont, lived in Springfield in what is now know as The Hartness House. Today Governor Hartness's mansion is a hotel, where many of you may be staying for the weekend. Hartness was known for his innovative and inventive spirit, which resulted in over 100 patents over his life. Hartness's interest in optics and astronomy led to his development of a telescope mount with a revolving dome. This first-of-its-kind telescope still stands at The Hartness House.

Springfield is also home to the Eureka Schoolhouse, the oldest one-room school in the state of Vermont. Completed in 1790, the building was in continuous use until 1900 and was restored in 1968 by the Vermont Board of Historic Sites. The school house was named by its first teacher, David Searle, who, after a long journey through the new frontier was heard to cry "Eureka!" upon reaching the new settlement of Springfield. The name stuck, and "Eureka" can still be found in street and business names throughout Springfield.

Registry

Please find our registry below. We can't wait to celebrate with you!