The Bellavance Milk Bottle originated with the purchase of the Bellavance Family Farm in East Hardwick, VT in 1946, by Aime & Beatrice Bellavance. Aime & Beatrice (in connection with their 14 children) managed over 125 dairy cows for over 10 years. In 1949 Aime & Beatrice started a Milk Route (“Aime Bellavance & Sons”) where they delivered milk to over 400 local households in 8 surrounding towns. With the start of the Bellavance Milk Route was the “birth” of the Bellavance Milk Bottle which could be found in both Quart and Pints along with their own Bottle Cap to match. During that time quarts were sold for 17 cents (1 cent below the state regulated amount, which Aime Bellavance was even taken to court for!)

Aime also supported the local Walden School by supplying all the milk for free and was also the first farm in the local area to both Pasteurize and Homogenize their milk.

The Bellavance Dairy remained in operation for over 10 years until 1957 when it was sold by Aime & Beatrice to another family. With the sale of the dairy marked the end of the Bellavance Milk Route and the last time the Bellavance Milk Bottle would be created. Upon completion of the sale all the remaining Milk Bottles were also destroyed leaving only those owned by local residences or family members remained.

To date, the ‘A. Bellavance and Sons Dairy’ Milk Bottle is considered a rare Vermont Milk Bottle as only a handful known to still be left.