Chittenden County Archives - Happy Vermont

Chittenden County

  • The Magic of Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond
    The Magic of Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond

    Cochran's is a small but mighty ski area. The ski area was started in the 1960s by Mickey and Ginny Cochran. With a vertical drop of 350 feet, the ski area includes a t-bar, rope tow and base lodge. It's also where thousands of local children...

  • Ethan Allen and the Hidden History of Burlington
    Ethan Allen and the Hidden History of Burlington

    What would Vermont be if not for Ethan Allen? Perhaps the Green Mountains would still be part of the Empire or Granite State. Allen, a Revolutionary War hero, is best known for leading the Green Mountain Boys during the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775. In his adopted...

  • Best Orchards for Vermont Apple Picking
    Best Orchards for Vermont Apple Picking

    Vermont apple picking season is here in the Green Mountain State. Orchards are getting ripe with McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Empire and heirloom varieties that are ready for pick-your-own Vermont apple picking. Vermont apple orchards also host events—including live music, yoga and festivals—and offer farm stands, scenic views...

  • Pieces of History on Mount Philo in Charlotte
    Pieces of History on Mount Philo in Charlotte

    Mount Philo in Charlotte stands at 968 feet. Lower in elevation than the Empire State Building and tiny compared to the neighboring Green Mountains and Adirondacks, Mount Philo is everything you could want in a mountain. It's accessible, easy to hike and offers some of the best views around. The...

  • 12 Outdoor Vermont Farmers Markets to Visit in 2024
    12 Outdoor Vermont Farmers Markets to Visit in 2024

    Outdoor Vermont farmers markets are a tradition every spring, summer and fall. From Burlington and Brattleboro to Craftsbury and Vershire, you will find town greens, local parks and parking lots transformed into pop-up marketplaces offering locally grown produce, handmade jewelry, craft beer, grass-fed beef and more. -A...

  • Vermont Museums Showcase Circus Photography, Hope and Realism in 2025
    Vermont Museums Showcase Circus Photography, Hope and Realism in 2025

    Vermont museums are gearing up for the 2025 season with new exhibits highlighting circus photography, hope, birds, stains, history and uncanny realism. Read on to learn about summer and fall exhibits at nine Vermont museums across the state. (This story is updated for 2025.) -Shelburne Museum opens...

  • Vermont Observatories in Small Towns
    Vermont Observatories in Small Towns

    Bill Vinton taught high school physics and astronomy in St. Johnsbury for 40 years. These days, he’s secretary and treasurer of the Northeast Kingdom Astronomy Foundation, home to the Northern Skies Observatory—one of at least nine working Vermont observatories across the state. Its origin story is...

  • In Vermont, Why Are Things Where They Are? 
    In Vermont, Why Are Things Where They Are? 

    Have you ever wondered why Vermont towns or villages have the words center, falls or mills tacked on?  If you've spent time in Vermont towns, you've come across places like Waterbury Center, Enosburgh Falls, Cookeville, or Post Mills. Or, you've been to places with east, west,...

  • Finding a Home for Roller-Skating in Vermont
    Finding a Home for Roller-Skating in Vermont

    Alicia Taylor and Joanna Alpizar met at a pop-up roller-skating event in Burlington. The two BIPOC women became fast friends and are now on a mission to create a public, welcoming, year-round space for roller-skating in Vermont, specifically in the Burlington area. A Lifelong Love for Roller-Skating -Joanna...

  • Vermont Holiday Events to Celebrate the Season
    Vermont Holiday Events to Celebrate the Season

    Looking for Vermont holiday events in 2023? Small-town parades, stunning light displays and holiday markets are just a few of the ways to celebrate the holiday season in the Green Mountain State. Here are just a few Vermont holiday events that are sure to bring plenty...