The town was made the "Northwest District of Rutland" in 1749. In 1774 the town incorporated and was called "Hutchinson." Two years later, a petition for a different name resulted in it being called "Barre," named after Isaac Barré, a member of the British Parliament who opposed the taxation of America. Barre became known for its production of farming equipment and palm leaf hats. Barre also supplied much of the gunpowder used by the Union Army in the Civil War.
