Williamsville is an unincorporated community in the town of Newfane in Windham County, of the Southern Vermont region. Williamsville has its own Volunteer Fire Department, Post Office, and General Store.
In March 2009, residents were surprised to discover the Williamsville Covered Bridge, built in the 1870's, listed in the classified section of The Burlington Free Press, free for the taking.
John Zicconi, a spokesman for the state Transportation Agency said in an interview with Vermont Public Radio, "What might have acaught them by surprise, is that there's a federal regulation that when we are going to demolish a historic structure like this, we have to advertise it for 30 days before we can demolish it because if somebody is willing to take it off our hands and save it, then that helps keep a piece of history and everybody wins by that."
The 150-year-old bridge was demolished because it could no longer be repaired. A replica was built over the winter and moved into place in August 2010. The old bridge was considered a historic structure so the $1.2 million price tag was paid for by the state and federal governments.