Irasburgh

Chartered in 1781, Irasburgh serves as the shire town of Orleans County, giving this community of about 1,175 people a civic importance that exceeds its size. The Orleans County Courthouse stands in the village center, a visible reminder of the town's administrative role in the Northeast Kingdom. The town was named, like its Rutland County counterpart, for Ira Allen.

Irasburgh occupies gently rolling terrain in the heart of Orleans County, with dairy farms and hayfields stretching across the landscape. The Black River flows through the town on its way to Lake Memphremagog, and the agricultural character of the community has remained remarkably consistent over the centuries. The village center, while small, includes the essential institutions — town hall, courthouse, church, and school.

As a county seat, Irasburgh's town meeting carries a sense of broader responsibility. Residents gather each March to manage their own affairs while also serving as the host community for the county's judicial and administrative functions.