History Archives - Page 4 of 11 - Happy Vermont

History

  • Small Vermont Ski Hills Offer Affordable Winter Fun
    Small Vermont Ski Hills Offer Affordable Winter Fun

    In the early days of New England skiing, winter enthusiasts flocked to small Vermont ski hills like Northeast Slopes in East Corinth, Gilbert’s Hill in Woodstock (home of the first rope tow in the United States), and Prospect Mountain in Woodford. Vermont skiing has come a...

  • Volunteers Take Pride in Preserving and Restoring Vermont’s Old Cemeteries
    Volunteers Take Pride in Preserving and Restoring Vermont’s Old Cemeteries

    When vandals damaged 200 gravestones at the historic Village Cemetery in Bennington last weekend, Tom Giffin immediately reached out to the town about how he could help. Giffin, of Rutland, is president of Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA), a volunteer organization founded in 1958 to restore...

  • The Vermont Town Meeting Tradition: A Conversation with Former Governor Jim Douglas
    The Vermont Town Meeting Tradition: A Conversation with Former Governor Jim Douglas

    The Vermont Town Meeting tradition is deeply rooted in the fabric of the Green Mountain State. On the first Tuesday in March, Vermonters gather to cast their votes on local issues. Town meeting participation in Vermont has been on the decline for several decades. Of course,...

  • Vermont Stargazing at Stellafane in Springfield
    Vermont Stargazing at Stellafane in Springfield

    Perched at the top of Breezy Hill in Springfield is a hot pink clubhouse for Vermont stargazing. The clubhouse, called Stellafane, was built in the 1920s and is owned by the Springfield Telescope Makers Club. In August, about 800 amateur telescope maker enthusiasts roamed the grounds...

  • Visit Mount Holly for Historic Charm and Outdoor Fun
    Visit Mount Holly for Historic Charm and Outdoor Fun

    The 20-mile stretch between North Clarendon and Ludlow on Route 103 winds along the rocky Mill River and meanders through the tiny unincorporated village of Cuttingsville before curving to the southeast. If not for a yellow blinking light and a couple of signs, the town...

  • A Vision to Revive Main Street with Danby Village Shops
    A Vision to Revive Main Street with Danby Village Shops

    Danby is home to the largest underground marble quarry in the world, stretching more than a mile into Dorset Mountain. Its marble, used in many famous buildings and monuments, including the U.S. Supreme Court building and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, is known for its durability...

  • What Makes Vermont Weird?
    What Makes Vermont Weird?

    Chad Abramovich loves to explore the weird side of Vermont. He’s passionate about photographing abandoned buildings, learning every last detail about mysterious legends, and sharing strange tales that highlight obscure places. Abramovich, who publishes a blog, obscurevermont.com, and shares photos on his Instagram account, The Tyranny...

  • Radio Towers, Historic Homes, and a Ravine: Facebook Group Shares Burlington’s Dynamic History
    Radio Towers, Historic Homes, and a Ravine: Facebook Group Shares Burlington’s Dynamic History

    Burlington is where Ben & Jerry’s was born and the home of Burton Snowboards. Bernie Sanders was elected mayor here, and Vermont’s first female governor, Madeline Kunin, launched her political career at Burlington City Hall. With a population of about 40,000 people, Burlington—Vermont’s largest city—is home...

  • 6 Things to Know about Historic Newbury
    6 Things to Know about Historic Newbury

    Newbury is not the oldest town in Vermont, but its historic charm is undeniable. Located in Orange County in northeastern Vermont along the Connecticut River, Newbury is one of those classic New England towns with beautifully maintained old homes, a general store on Main Street, and...

  • Get Outside: Tubing and Hiking in Manchester
    Get Outside: Tubing and Hiking in Manchester

    Tubing the Battenkill River and hiking trails in Manchester Vermont are ideal ways to enjoy summer in the Green Mountains. It’s been 137 years since Manchester first promoted itself as a summer destination. In 1883, Franklin Orvis, owner of the Equinox House (now Equinox Resort), marketed...