Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail to host 2nd Anniversary Party at the Saint Albans Museum on July 9
The Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail is hosting a "2nd Anniversary Party" at the Saint Albans Museum on Tuesday, July 9 from 5:30-7pm. The open house will feature tours of the exhibits, as well as cake and light refreshments. There will be a brief program on Vermont's role in the Civil War at 6pm, and this special evening is free and open to the public.
Established in the summer of 2017, the Trail encompasses 15+ historic sites, museums and historical societies, and other relevant locations throughout the state along the Route 7 corridor. Each is a link to the "hidden history" of Vermont's connections and contributions during the Civil War. Highlights of these people, places, and events include the stories of abolitionist John Brown, Stephen Douglas, William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass to the northernmost conflict of the Civil War, and the General who made the decision to flank Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, and more.
"Vermont certainly has a unique role in one of the defining episodes of American history," said Bill Kaigle, Trail Committee member. 'We are grateful to be working with volunteers from across the state to ensure those stories are told."
The Trail is an all-volunteer organization, with a mission to promote cultural heritage tourism, to offer educational programming, and to provide support and resources for Vermont communities with Civil War history to share. These efforts include Trail signage, printed brochures, a website and social media presence for members, as well as educational programing for students, visitors, and Vermont residents.
For more information about this event, contact the Saint Albans Museum at (802) 537-7933 or online at www.stamuseum.org. Learn more or make a contribution to the Trail in support of their important work: c/o SAM at PO Box 722, St. Albans, VT 05478 or via www.vtcivilwarheritage.net.
Established in the summer of 2017, the Trail encompasses 15+ historic sites, museums and historical societies, and other relevant locations throughout the state along the Route 7 corridor. Each is a link to the "hidden history" of Vermont's connections and contributions during the Civil War. Highlights of these people, places, and events include the stories of abolitionist John Brown, Stephen Douglas, William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass to the northernmost conflict of the Civil War, and the General who made the decision to flank Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, and more.
"Vermont certainly has a unique role in one of the defining episodes of American history," said Bill Kaigle, Trail Committee member. 'We are grateful to be working with volunteers from across the state to ensure those stories are told."
The Trail is an all-volunteer organization, with a mission to promote cultural heritage tourism, to offer educational programming, and to provide support and resources for Vermont communities with Civil War history to share. These efforts include Trail signage, printed brochures, a website and social media presence for members, as well as educational programing for students, visitors, and Vermont residents.
For more information about this event, contact the Saint Albans Museum at (802) 537-7933 or online at www.stamuseum.org. Learn more or make a contribution to the Trail in support of their important work: c/o SAM at PO Box 722, St. Albans, VT 05478 or via www.vtcivilwarheritage.net.
Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail Launched
On behalf of fellow sites, partners and stakeholders throughout the state, the Milton Historical Society and General Stannard House Committee are pleased to announce the launch of the Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail.
The Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail was born out of a desire to link key American Civil War sites in the Green Mountain State - museums, historic sites, exhibits and more - and educate by making this important history more unified and accessible. Special thanks are due to Howard Coffin, whose 2013 book “Something Abides: Discovering the Civil War in Today’s Vermont” is a reference and inspiration for this Trail. Three organizational meetings were held at Trail sites in Ferrisburgh, Bennington and Rutland this year, and in late July, brochures were printed and are currently being distributed. A web site (which contains the the brochure), www.vtcivilwarheritage.net, has been established and will continue to be enhanced. A Facebook page, www.facebook.com/vtcivilwartrail, has also been established and will be posted to regularly. Sharing is highly encouraged.
The Trail follows US Route 7, South to North. Each site is a link to the crucial contributions Vermont made to the preservation of these United States in the American “War Between the States.” There are also many little-known connections critical to that War, and it is our Mission to better illustrate and explain those connections. From Abolitionist John Brown to Stephen Douglas to William Lloyd Garrison to Frederick Douglass to the Northernmost land battle of the Civil War, to the General who made the decision to flank Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, Vermont has a significant story to tell.
The contributions and influences Vermont had on the Civil War are not widely known or appreciated, even within the state. We are here to fix that. There are other important sites and connections to the Civil War in Vermont, but the majority of our sites are found along the ‘western coast’ of Vermont, along the Route 7 corridor. Future expansion of our Trail may include Eastern sites such as the rifle, machinery and clothing factories of the Connecticut River Valley, and more.
The current list of site locations and descriptions, and the Trail brochure, are available at www.vtcivilwarheritage.net."Vermont is known for our rich history, as well as a tradition of neighbors and communities working together," said Alex Lehning, Director of the Saint Albans Museum and member of the Trail Committee. "Our shared regional heritage is part of larger story of America itself. The creation of the Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail - by volunteers from across the state - provides a comprehensive link to that important piece of our past, and to the people, places and ideas that defined Vermont's critical role in the Civil War. This Trail will benefit residents, visitors, and students alike who have an interest in exploring and discovering that story."
We are looking at a lot of improvements ahead for our Trail. They include plans for individual and joint collaborative site events, a geo-locating application, identity signage at sites with QR code-accessed content, virtual reality tours, and local/statewide Public Broadcasting videos and presentations. Our current brochures are only the beginning! "History is where we've been and where we are going,” said Terry Richards, Trail Committee Chair. “Please, do not miss out on your Discovery."
For more information on the Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail, visit www.vtcivilwarheritage.net or contact us via email. Individual sites may be contacted directly for hours and site-specific information, and please be advised that some sites may charge admission.
The Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail was born out of a desire to link key American Civil War sites in the Green Mountain State - museums, historic sites, exhibits and more - and educate by making this important history more unified and accessible. Special thanks are due to Howard Coffin, whose 2013 book “Something Abides: Discovering the Civil War in Today’s Vermont” is a reference and inspiration for this Trail. Three organizational meetings were held at Trail sites in Ferrisburgh, Bennington and Rutland this year, and in late July, brochures were printed and are currently being distributed. A web site (which contains the the brochure), www.vtcivilwarheritage.net, has been established and will continue to be enhanced. A Facebook page, www.facebook.com/vtcivilwartrail, has also been established and will be posted to regularly. Sharing is highly encouraged.
The Trail follows US Route 7, South to North. Each site is a link to the crucial contributions Vermont made to the preservation of these United States in the American “War Between the States.” There are also many little-known connections critical to that War, and it is our Mission to better illustrate and explain those connections. From Abolitionist John Brown to Stephen Douglas to William Lloyd Garrison to Frederick Douglass to the Northernmost land battle of the Civil War, to the General who made the decision to flank Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg, Vermont has a significant story to tell.
The contributions and influences Vermont had on the Civil War are not widely known or appreciated, even within the state. We are here to fix that. There are other important sites and connections to the Civil War in Vermont, but the majority of our sites are found along the ‘western coast’ of Vermont, along the Route 7 corridor. Future expansion of our Trail may include Eastern sites such as the rifle, machinery and clothing factories of the Connecticut River Valley, and more.
The current list of site locations and descriptions, and the Trail brochure, are available at www.vtcivilwarheritage.net."Vermont is known for our rich history, as well as a tradition of neighbors and communities working together," said Alex Lehning, Director of the Saint Albans Museum and member of the Trail Committee. "Our shared regional heritage is part of larger story of America itself. The creation of the Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail - by volunteers from across the state - provides a comprehensive link to that important piece of our past, and to the people, places and ideas that defined Vermont's critical role in the Civil War. This Trail will benefit residents, visitors, and students alike who have an interest in exploring and discovering that story."
We are looking at a lot of improvements ahead for our Trail. They include plans for individual and joint collaborative site events, a geo-locating application, identity signage at sites with QR code-accessed content, virtual reality tours, and local/statewide Public Broadcasting videos and presentations. Our current brochures are only the beginning! "History is where we've been and where we are going,” said Terry Richards, Trail Committee Chair. “Please, do not miss out on your Discovery."
For more information on the Vermont in the Civil War Heritage Trail, visit www.vtcivilwarheritage.net or contact us via email. Individual sites may be contacted directly for hours and site-specific information, and please be advised that some sites may charge admission.