Newfane and the West River Valley
The village of Williamsville is located within the historic town of Newfane, which at one time perched high on the hill above the village. After fears of Indian attack faded, the town of Newfane was moved down to the other side of the hill into the area then known as Fayetteville, and there it resides today with a classic New England town green that boasts the County Court House, the Library, Union Hall (another former Grange Hall), the First Congregationalist Church, two restaurants offering fine continental cuisine, a cafe, a general store, shops offering antiques and hand sewn quilts, as well as the Sherriff’s Office and the Jail.
Just a few miles down Route 30 is the city of Brattleboro, home of many fine restaurants, pubs, book stores, and stores and galleries featuring the work of local artists and artisans. Brattleboro is famous (perhaps even notorious) for its individuality and politically fractious spirit, as well as theater groups, music, fine dining, brew pubs, and restaurants offering scenic vistas and foods as diverse as authentic barbecue and Indian, African, Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisines.