Rupert is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 698 at the 2020 census.

The town is home to The Maple News, a trade publication focused on the maple syrup industry, and the former Jenks Tavern, built around 1807, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Rupert is located in the northwest corner of Bennington County, bordered by Washington County, New York to the west and Rutland County to the north. The town is situated in the Taconic Mountains; the highest point is a summit on the ridge of Bear Mountain in the southeast corner of the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.08%, is water. The northern portion of the town is drained by the Mettawee River and Indian River, tributaries of Lake Champlain, while the rest of the town drains to the Batten Kill in New York and eventually the Hudson River.

The northeast corner of town is crossed by Vermont Route 30, following the Mettawee River. Vermont Route 153 runs north–south through the western part of the town before crossing into New York. Vermont Route 315 runs east–west through the center of the town, connecting to VT 30 in East Rupert and to VT 153 in Rupert proper. The town also has the hamlets of West Rupert (on VT 153) and North Rupert (on VT 30).

History

Many historians agree that Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire, gave Rupert its name, after Prince Rupert of the Rhine (1619–1682). Prince Rupert was a prominent figure in the English Civil War and afterwards.

One of Rupert's first settlers was Reuben Harmon, a metalsmith, who was given the right to mint coins, called Vermont coppers, for the Republic of Vermont. Harmon's Mint was originally located in East Rupert on a small stream known as Hagar's Brook. It was later moved Southwind Farm in North Rupert.

Rupert is the filming location for seasons 1-10 of the syndicated PBS cooking show Cook's Country. The iconic white country house, known as Carver House, is located near the center of town on the corner of Rupert Avenue and West Pawlett Road across the road from the Rupert Methodist Church.

Demographics

At the 2000 census,

  • William H. Meyer, member of the United States House of Representatives
  • Sheldon Roberts, American semi-conductor pioneer-member of the "traitorous eight" to form Fairchild Semiconductor One of the three founders of Teledyne
  • General Moses Sherman, American land developer who built Streetcar systems in Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles, California. Born in Rupert
  • Israel Smith, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, member of the U.S. Senate and fourth governor of Vermont; practiced law in Rupert

References

  • Official website