Addison County's shire town is dominated in almost every respect by Middlebury College, which is consistently rated one of the nation's top colleges. The handsome liberal arts school, founded in 1800, gives the town a sustained economic boost that supports an array of fine restaurants and a sophisticated downtown scene. With about 8,500 residents, Middlebury is by far the largest town in Addison County, and as the shire town it is the focus of the county's legal machinery and the site of numerous state offices. The library is the best around, and the Sheldon Museum has unmatched genealogical resources and a fine collection of local artifacts. The Festival on the Green is a summer event that brings Middlebury residents together. Skiing at the Snow Bowl is a powerful draw in the winter. Autumn, when the students get back to their studies and the football team takes the field, is a picture post card.
