Wilson Park

Turning right from the library, and located beside the Village Bridge, is Wilson Park, where a large 2-story building, originally built as a tenement for mill workers, and in 1892 becoming the Grafton Cooperative Cheese Factory sat. Upstairs a spring dance floor occasionally doubled as a roller-skating rink. The building was destroyed by fire in 1912 and sold to George Grafton Wilson, who gave the land to the town as a small park.

Take a minute to relax on the park bench and enjoy the sound of the Saxtons River. Depending on the season, the water may be rushing past, overflowing the stream bed rocks, rushing on its way to Bellows Falls where it will connect with the Connecticut River. In the summer and fall seasons, the river is much more gentle.

Watch the video to learn more about how Grafton survived Hurrican Irene.