First granted in 1752, the town was named Boyle, after Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington and famous architect. Burlington, Vermont, was also named after him. No claims were settled within the set time because of danger from Indian attacks. A new charter was issued in 1763 to members of the Gilbert and Sumner families, and the town was named Gilsum in their honor. Gilsum's Lower Village is the site of the much-photographed Stone Arch over the Ashuelot River. Click the larger photo below for more information about this historic structure.
