East Dorset in Bennington County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Birthplace of William Griffith Wilson

1895-1971

— Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous —

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, May 3, 2016

1. Birthplace of William Griffith Willson, 1895-1971: Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous Marker

Inscription. Bill Wilson was born November 26, 1895, in a room behind the bar at the Wilson House Hotel. From age 11 until entering the Army, he lived at the Griffith House across the church yard from his birthplace. Bill W. wrote the book Alcoholics Anonymous which contains the 12-step recovery program for alcoholics. Through this program, a multitude of lives have been saved. Other programs, based on the original 12 steps, exist worldwide for healing individuals and families.

Erected 1995 by Wilson House Board of Directors.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1895.

Location. 43° 14.383′ N, 73° 0.549′ W. Marker is in Dorset, Vermont, in Bennington County. It is in East Dorset. It is at the intersection of Mad Tom Road and Village Street, on the right when traveling north on Mad Tom Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Dorset

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VT 05253, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Vermont. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Vermont Republic.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Marble Quarry (approx. 3.8 miles away); Fenton Pottery Site (approx. 4.2 miles away); Cephas Kent’s Dwelling (approx. 4½ miles away); Dorset (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Dorset Field Club (approx. 4.7 miles away); Ye Olde Tavern (approx. 4.8 miles away); Manchester Vampire (approx. 4.8 miles away); Manchester (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dorset.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Additional commentary.
1. Ozzie and Bonnie Lepper and the Restoration of the Wilson House
I want to add some background on the Wilson House and Ozzie and Bonnie Lepper. Albert “Ozzie” Lepper owned a print shop in Connecticut.

Marker is in front of the Wilson House Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, May 3, 2016

2. Marker is in front of the Wilson House Hotel

He came here to Vermont to ski in 1984, I believe. The Wilson House was about to be condemned when he came across it. Being in Alcoholics Anonymous he was familiar with Bill Wilson’s book and saw the value of preserving where Bill Wilson was born in the neighborhood where he grew up. He bought it and, it if my recollection is correct, turned into a foundation.

He later met his future wife Bonnie (Bonnie Lee Fearon) here and she and Ozzie restored the Wilson House. I recall the meeting room had sunk on one corner and was restored by local builders and carpenters. This was an amazing transformation. It was opened in 1986 with fewer rooms to stay in at that time. They were restored one by one over several years.

I lived in Connecticut at the time. I was there for the first time in 1992. I visited a few more times and volunteered at the house for two weeks in 1995. Ozzie stirred up something in me. I was talking to people after a meeting in the back room where meetings were held. Ozzie looked me directly directly in my eyes. He said and I remember like it was yesterday "what do know about God?" I didn’t have an answer but suddenly had

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a lot of questions. I started attending church with Ozzie and Bonnie on Wednesdays and Sundays. When my time was up he convinced me to find a Christian church in Connecticut. I did, and the assistant Pastor Mike M. and I became good friends.

I was married in 1996 at the Wilson House. Ozzie and Bonnie were in our wedding. My wife and I moved to Las Vegas in December of 1999. I have so many fond memories of Wilson House. During my time volunteering I met members of Aerosmith. They stayed for a few days. As I said, fond memories. Ozzie and I stayed in contact until his death in 2005. I was sad when passed.

Ozzie and Bonnie are a big part of the Wilson House’s history. Had it not been for Ozzie, the Wilson House would have been condemned and demolished. I think he should also be mentioned on this page as he was a huge part of the Wilson House’s existence.

— Submitted September 14, 2026, by Thomas J. DeMarchis of Henderson, Nevada.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2016, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. This page has been viewed 1,051 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2016, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.