Historic New England Covered Bridges

Historic covered bridges in New England reflect the region’s early engineering and craftsmanship. Many were built in the 19th century to protect timber trusses from harsh weather. Today, these bridges stand as scenic landmarks that connect modern visitors with the past. This is by no means a complete list. Instead, it is a list of covered bridges I have personally seen and photographed.

Comstock Bridge

The Comstock Bridge is a hidden gem on the border of Colchester and East Hampton, Connecticut. This bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. This historic covered bridge, dating back to the 1873, offers a glimpse into New England’s past while providing a peaceful setting for a scenic walk. You cannot drive over it.

West Cornwall Covered bridge

This historic covered bridge in West Cornwall, Connecticut has been in continuous service since 1864. The bridge spans across the Housatonic River. It’s 172 feet long and 15 feet wide. You can actually drive over this bridge, unlike the Comstock Bridge.

Cooley Covered Bridge

The Cooley Covered Bridge in Pittsford, Vermont was built in 1849 by Nicholas M. Powers. Nicholas M. Powers later became known as “Vermont’s most famous covered bridge builder.” This bridge is one of three surviving bridges in Vermont whose construction was facilitated by him. The bridge is 18.5 feet long.

Gorham Covered Bridge

The Gorham Covered Bridge in Florence, Vermont was built in 1842 and it’s one of Vermont’s oldest surviving covered bridges. This bridge was also built by Nicholas M. Powers. The bridge is 114 feet long.

Depot Covered Bridge

The Depot Covered Bridge is located in Pittsford, Vermont. Structurally, this bridge remains almost in its original condition. The bridge is 121 feet long. The bridge was built around 1840 and it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hammond Covered Bridge

The Hammond Covered Bridge is also located in Pittsford, Vermont. The bridge was built in 1842 and it’s 139 feet long. In 1927, the bridge floated off of its abutments, and it ended up in a field over a mild downstream. During the winter of 1927, the bridge was returned to its former location by the town. You cannot drive over this covered bridge.

Middle Covered Bridge

Middle Covered Bridge is located in the charming town of Woodstock, Vermont and it was built in 1969. This bridge is not nearly as old as the other bridges on this list. It was the first covered bridge built by the state of Vermont since 1889. You can drive over this bridge or walk across it.

Lincoln Covered Bridge

This historic covered bridge in West Woodstock, Vermont was built in 1877. It is one of the only known examples of a wooden Pratt truss bridge in the United States (this type of truss is seen more widely in metal bridges in later history). The bridge is 136 feet long and you can drive over it.

Taftsville Covered Bridge

The Taftsville Covered Bridge is located in Woodstock, Vermont. This bridge was built in 1836, and it is a rare example of an early vernacular wooden truss covered bridge in the U.S. The bridge was constructed of all local wood and stone. The bridge is the oldest covered bridge in Windsor County, and the third oldest covered bridge in Vermont. The bridge is about 189 feet long.

Creamery Covered Bridge

The Creamery Covered Bridge is a historic bridge in Brattleboro, Vermont. The bridge was built in 1879 and it’s Brattleboro’s last surviving covered bridge from the 19th century. The bridge has been closed to traffic since 2010, but you can still visit it and walk across it.

Dummerston Covered Bridge

The Dummerston Covered Bridge, also known as the West Dummerston Covered Bridge, is in Dummerston, VT. This historic bridge was built in 1872. At 271 feet long, the bridge is the longest covered bridge in Vermont that’s still operational. There’s a parking area next to the bridge off of Route 30, which makes visiting this bridge super easy. You can also drive over the bridge.

Scott Bridge

Scott Bridge in Townshend, Vermont is the longest wooden span in Vermont at 277 feet. The bridge was built in 1870. You can’t drive over this bridge, but you can walk over it. There’s a pull-off by the bridge on Route 30.

Saco River Covered Bridge

The Saco Covered Bridge is located in Conway, New Hampshire. It was built in 1890. The bridge is 224 feet long and you can drive and walk across it. If you’re looking to get nice views of the bridge from the side, head to Davis Park and walk down to the river.

Albany Covered Bridge

The Albany Covered Bridge in Albany, New Hampshire was first constructed in 1858. You can drive over this bridge and there’s a fairly large parking lot at the bridge to make visiting easy. This is a pretty popular stop along the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains.

Swift River Covered Bridge

The Swift River Covered Bridge is located in Conway, New Hampshire. The bridge was built in 1869. You can’t drive over this bridge, but you can walk over it. They’ve also got picnic tables on the bridge, so it makes a great spot for a picnic. There are some amazing mountain views from the bridge.

Paper Mill Bridge

The Paper Mill Bridge in Bennington, Vermont was built in 1889. The bridge is located next to a former paper mill building and it’s just south of the Bennington College campus. The bridge is 125 feet long and it’s the longest covered bridge in Bennington County. This bridge was built by Charles F. Sears, who was from a family that was well-known for bridge building in the region.

Silk Road Covered Bridge

The Silk Road covered bridge is also in Bennington, Vermont. The bridge was built in 1840, much before the Paper Mill Covered Bridge. The bridge is 88 feet long. This bridge was also built by a member of the Sears family. This bridge was built by Benjamin Sears.

Bulls Bridge

Bulls Bridge in Kent, Connecticut is one of the few functional covered bridges remaining in Connecticut. The bridge was built in 1842, and it was one of the few ways to cross the Housatonic River from New York state. The covered bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.