In this age of hustle and bustle, small-town Americana still captures our collective attention. This Old House magazine has compiled a list of 51 great neighborhoods — one in every state and Canada — that provide a link to our history and are filled with people who care about their communities. The Village of Wellington made the list in the magazine’s third-annual “Best Old-House Neighborhoods” for its wealth of great homes and strong city spirit.

The magazine’s March 2010, issue recognized Wellington as a unique and tight-knit neighborhood, meeting criteria for craftsmanship, architectural diversity, historic preservation, walkability and neighborliness. Wellington was chosen particularly for its historic buildings — architecture students even head there for college field trips. Many of the homes in the village reflect Victorian-era architecture in the styles of Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Folk Victorian, Colonial and Greek Revival and American Neoclassicism.

With a population of less than 5,000, neighbors know and interact with each other, further boosting the charm factor. Residents encourage visitors to stroll down Main Street and view some of the nearly 200 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a validation of Wellington’s commitment to preserving its strong architectural heritage.

“The Village of Wellington is an iconic example of small-town America. Throughout the generations, the residents have taken great pride in the historic preservation of our town,” says Mayor Barbara O’Keefe.

The tradition began in 1818, when a small group from Massachusetts made its way to what was then a heavily wooded area. By the 1840s, Wellington was a thriving carriage town. With more than 40 cheese factories in the area, it was touted in the 1880s as the Cheese Empire of the Nation, which is celebrated today with a summer Cheese Heritage Festival.