Rediscovering Forgotten Sculptures Along Vermont’s Highways
July 12, 2025
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A collection of abstract sculptures created by internationally renowned artists more than 50 years ago stand along Vermont’s highways.
You just can’t see most of them—at least not yet.
Art conservator Bob Hannum of Barre is working to change that. He was hired by the State of Vermont to clean and repair the sculptures so they can be enjoyed by the public once again.
The sculptures were placed at rest areas along Interstates 89 and 91 in the 1970s. Five decades later, many of them are hidden by forest growth and need to be repaired, cleaned and moved into view.
Twenty sculptures—some marble, some concrete—were originally installed, and 16 remain.
“Some sculptures were lost. One was donated to (an artist’s) alma mater in Maryland and one was sold,” Hannum explains. “Most of the sculptures are really hidden. Unless you’re looking for them, you can’t find them.”
-An old photo of a Vermont highway sculpture in Randolph. Courtesy of the UVM Landscape Change Program. Main photo: Bob Hannum at a concrete sculpture at the Williston Information Center on Interstate 89 southbound.
How Did They Get Here?
The Vermont highway sculptures came about when University of Vermont art professor and sculptor Paul Aschenbach gathered artists from across the world to create giant works of art in marble and concrete. The artists were participating in Vermont International Sculpture Symposium events in 1968 and 1971.
“When these two symposia were finished, there were 20-something huge sculptures. But what do you then do with them? They were too big for museums,” Hannum says. “At the time, the highways of Vermont were just being completed.”
Hannum describes the collection as unique, unexpected and the largest sculpture park in the world.
“We’ve found nothing else like it,” Hannum says.
You can currently see sculptures in full view at rest areas—also known as welcome and information centers—such as Williston on Interstate 89 and Guilford on Interstate 91. Over the next five years, you’ll start to see more sculptures reemerge along the interstate rest areas, he says.
-An old photo of a Vermont highway sculpture in Putney. Courtesy of the UVM Landscape Change Program.
Happy Vermont Podcast
Bob Hannum talks about the history of Vermont highway sculptures and why these pieces of art matter.
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Correction about Roadside Markers
In last week’s newsletter item about the new Killington roadside historic marker, I gave an incorrect location of the old Long Trail Lodge that burned in 1968. The correct location was across the street from the current Inn at Long Trail. My apologies for the error.
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Upcoming Events
I’m taking some vacation time with my family and will be back July 27.
Here are some events to enjoy over the next couple of weeks:
Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington – July 18-19
Lamoille County Field Days in Johnson – July 18-20
Killington Uncorked – July 18-19
Rock River Artists Open Studio Tour in South Newfane – July 19-20
Klassic Car Show in St. Albans – July 19
Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series at Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury – July 20
Jacksonville Blueberry Festival Music and Market Event – July 25
Flow State Mountain Bike Festival in Brownsville – July 25-27
Find more events on Happy Vermont
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Where in Vermont? Test Your Knowledge of Vermont Geography
The answer to last week’s quiz is Enosburg Falls.
Winners!
Lynn Rainville
Greg Carpenter
Tami Furry
Andy Costello
Suzie Reider
Can you name the town in the photo below? Share your answer by commenting below (be sure to give your name) or email me at [email protected]. I’ll announce the winners in my July 27 email.
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