Mount Independence

12-1PM

Included with Museum Admission

The Mount Independence Coalition, the site friends group, is sponsoring a series of brown bag lunch discussions about the Revolutionary War and Mount Independence. Different topics each month, call 802-948-2000 for details. Bring your picnic lunch and perhaps a lawn chair to Mount Independence on these Saturdays, hear from knowledgeable Coalition members and invited experts, and join in on the discussion.  Outside if the weather permits.

Included with museum admission

12-2PM

Take a guided hike on the (Cambrian) beach with geologist Helen Mango. Mango, your leader, is an expert on the geology of Mount Independence and southern Lake Champlain. College leads this hike to explore Mount Independence, from the oldest rocks in the Potsdam Formation to the newer rocks of the Great Meadows Formation.  Wear sturdy shoes or boots and dress for weather.  Co-sponsored by the Mount Independence Coalition. 

Included with museum admission

1PM-4PM

On this guided tour, walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary War soldiers. Mount Independence Coalition president Stephen Zeoli is your guide. He will tell you about some events leading up to the Revolution, as you look at traces reflecting the importance of Mount Independence in 1776 and 1777.  Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. Co-sponsored by Mount Independence Coalition. 

Free event

1-2PM

Most Vermonters might be surprised that among the 30 men killed at the Battle of Bennington was a black man, Sipp Ives, a member of Seth Warner’s Continental regiment of Green Mountain Boys. And Ives was not the only patriot of African descent who played a role in the fighting and its aftermath. In this illustrated talk, teacher and author Phil Holland explores military records and early town histories to present a more diverse picture of Vermont’s iconic battle and its Green Mountain Boys than typically depicted. Holland will also reflect on historical memory and how it is preserved and constructed. A Vermont Humanities Council event hosted by Mount Independence Coalition.

Free Event

1PM-2PM

Dr. Friederike Baer, author of Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, will give a talk about the subject of her book. A large force of German soldiers accompanied General Burgoyne for the invasion of the Lake Champlain region in 1777. After the American retreat, these "Hessian" soldiers occupied the Mount, contributing to the archaeological record. Dr. Baer will look at the war from the perspective of the German soldiers, who left a rich written record of their experiences. J. Robert Maguire lecture, sponsored by the Mount Independence Coalition.

$5 adults, $1 ages 6-15, under 6 free

12-2PM

Wildflower expert Amy Olmsted leads her popular walk to discover the delicate flowers of spring. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and dress for the weather. Be prepared to walk on the trails; it might be wet. Meet in front of the Museum. Restroom availability at start of hike.  Co-sponsored by Mount Independence Coalition.

$5 adults, $1 ages 6-15, under 6 free

12PM-4PM

Revolutionary War expert Mike Barbieri, Mount Independence Coalition president Stephen Zeoli, and site administrator Elsa Gilbertson lead a pre-season guided walk on and off the trails to explore this Revolutionary War site. The focus is looking at defensive features not visible in the summer when all the leaves are out—great opportunity to explore. Meet at museum for orientation. Wear sturdy boots, be prepared for off-trail walking, some areas might be a little rough walking, and dress for the weather. Some areas might be wet.  Co-sponsored by the Mount Independence Coalition.

August 31, 10AM-4PM

September 1, 10AM-3PM

Daily admission: $9 adults, $1 ages 6-14, under 6 free

Reenactors honor the 1776-1777 history of Mount Independence during this living history weekend.  Saturday’s popular interactive Baldwin Trail Walkabout, 10:30 to 1:30, features experts at trail stations bringing the site’s history to life. Military tacticals, annual reading of Declaration of Independence, and camp life and skill demonstrations. Snacks and lunch, while it lasts. Call (802) 948-2000 for details.

Schedule

Food and Snacks: water in museum shop and snacks from 11:45am-2:00pm (or while they last). Hot dogs or sausage with rolls, chili, chips, water, soda, & snacks outside near museum 

Saturday, August 31:  
10:00 - 5:00  Museum and site open. Reenactors on site to talk with public (encampment, near north section of Baldwin Trail)

10:30 – 3:30   Hands on children’s activities (in area above museum)

10:30 –1:30  Baldwin Trail Walkabout—meet experts at stations marked with stars on walkabout map. Learn about Mount Independence history—the Chaplain is in, making cartridges, Dr. Potts and the hospital, soldier’s packs, soldiers drilling & how it evolved, 18th century laundry, Revolutionary War foodways, gunsmithing, and the Southern Defenses.   

2:30     narrated military tactical and woods skirmish, gather near encampment at top of hill, talk with the reenactors afterward

3:00 (after tactical) Learning how to drill  

3:00     Visit the camps

5:00     Museum closes

Sunday, September 1:
10:00   Museum and site open, reenactor encampment open

10:00 – 2:00  Visit the soldier encampment, children’s activities near building

10:15   Historic Mount Independence sermon (above museum, near picnic area)

11:15   Annual reading of Declaration of Independence (near picnic area)

1:00     Military skirmish near the camp  

2:00     Camps close 

2:00     “Benedict Arnold” illustrated lecture, Paul Andriscin (museum auditorium)

Included with museum admission

July 25- July 31

10AM-5PM

The Orwell Free Library is hosting a “trail tale,” featuring the book Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus. Book pages with its colorful illustrations will be posted around the accessible Baldwin Trail for all to enjoy.

Included with museum admission.

1PM-3PM

Mushroom expert Meg Madden leads a walk to look for and learn about mushrooms on Mount Independence. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Limited spaces; call 802-948-2000 well ahead of time to reserve your spot. Included in regular museum admission.  Sponsored by the Mount Independence Coalition.