Seminar

Winter is ready to fall upon the quiet village of Plymouth Notch. Before the snows deepen, join the residents of the village as they celebrate the holiday season. The Coolidge birthplace will be festooned with fresh greenery as it would have been during Christmastime in Calvin Coolidge’s childhood. The greenery continues throughout the village where wreaths don the doors of the homes and lanterns. Visitors can warm up in the museum where pianist Steve Morse will be taking song requests on Grace's piano. At 12:45PM a tree lighting ceremony will call into remembrance the moment President Coolidge threw the switch on the very first lit National tree in 1923. Immediately following at 1PM, the warmth of the village’s Union Christian Church will welcome visitors for a time of caroling. Don’t forget to pick out gifts at the museum gift shop clearance sale. This is a free and family-friendly event! 

10 AM – 3 PM

In this total immersion into history day, we’ll look into significant perhaps less well-known aspects about Mount Independence using a variety of ways to learn. Historians, archaeologists, reenactors, and others will present illustrated talks, historic personages, reading the landscape, and a report on the site’s American Battlefield Protection Program collection stewardship project. The day is a special opportunity and suitable for all levels of interest—from beginners to avid experts. Call (802) 948-2000 for details on schedule, and how to pre-register. $25 fee with lunch included. 

1 PM – 3 PM

Learn the history of what surrounds you as you walk across the Lake Champlain Bridge. Chimney Point site administrator Elsa Gilbertson and Crown Point, NY, site manager Sam Huntington lead this guided round trip walk. Meet at Chimney Point. Rain or shine, dress for the weather. Bring a picnic to enjoy before. Fee includes admission to both museums to visit before or after the walk. Light refreshments afterwards. Vermont Archaeology Month event. 

Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday, 10 AM – 3:30 PM

Reenactors honor the 1776-1777 history of Mount Independence during this living history weekend. 

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

Saturday: 

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—Mount Independence military checkpoint, the military road and importance of Lake Champlain, the role of a chaplain, making ash cakes, life of soldiers, food during the Revolution, gunsmithing, and the defenses.

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

3:00     Visit the camps

5:00     Museum closes

Sunday

10:00   Museum and site open, reenactor encampment open

10:00 – 2:00  Visiting the soldier encampment

10:30   Historic Mount Independence sermon (above museum, near picnic area)

11:30 – 12:45  Revolutionary War history vignettes (near picnic area)

1:00        Annual reading of Declaration of Independence (near picnic area), followed by

military skirmish. Soldiers will lead you up the hill to the action.

2:00     Camps close

2:30     “Benedict Arnold” illustrated lecture, Paul Andriscin, (museum auditorium)

 Admission $9. Call (802) 948-2000 for details. 

2 PM – 5 PM

September 2nd and 3rd (FREE EVENT!)

Stars from Vermont and internationally known musicians team up for the 18^th annual Plymouth Folk and Blues Fest. This lively two-day, outdoor festival will feature the music of Dana and Susan Robinson, Jesse Terry, Danielle Miraglia, Krishna Guthrie, The Kennedys, and The Art of DonnCherie. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the pure country air of historic. This event is free and donations are appreciated. Non-perishable food donations in support of the Vermont Food Bank are also welcomed.

10 AM – 5PM

The Monument opened on August 19th 1891 what is now called the 'Gilded Age,’ a time when wealthy and influential women broke the door of the Gilded Cage! The Vintage Visitors will present Flown from the Gilded Cage: Progressive Ladies of the Gilded Age at this year’s anniversary event!

10 AM – 5 PM

August 12th & 13th

In August of 1777 a decisive battle took place 9 miles from a much-needed storehouse, where the Monument now stands. A small contingent of minute men and farmers stayed behind guarding the storehouse. Reenactors will be onsite to discuss the importance of the Battle of Bennington and what life was like for Colonial Soldiers. This is an ongoing outdoor event and will include a battle reenactment, musket drills, a drum and fife demonstration, and more!  

The first event is the 19^th annual Battle Day 5K, starting at 8:30 AM.  The race begins on the North side of the circle, around and down Walloomsac Road to the Airport and back.  There is also a ‘fun run’ around the circle for young children.  Registration for the race is online only, the form is on the website: benningtonbattlemonument.com. The Friends Group is working to have adequate volunteers directing traffic and parking.  Local participation is welcome.  The race will start with musket fire, which is one of the unique parts of the race. 

Another event happening Saturday is the free Fife and Drum Concert, with the Moodus Drum and Fife Corp.  The Moodus Drums are the same drums that were played at the dedication of the Monument 132 years ago, August 19^th, 1891.  An account of their appearance at the Monument’s dedication can be found in the ‘Dedication Book’ on page 72.  The concert starts at noon, they play 4 sets, each set is 20 minutes, with a 10-minute rest.  The Corp will be in the Battle Day parade on Sunday.

 A colonial powderhorn maker will be demonstrating his craft Saturday, along with approximately 25 re-enactors camping on the lawn as they have done in the past.  They start arriving and setting up camp Friday evening.  The public is welcome to visit and talk with them once they are set up.  There will be cannon firing as part of their encampment event Saturday, and Sunday morning.  We have set times for firing their 3 rounds on Saturday at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.  There will only be one firing of 3 rounds on Sunday around 11:30 and then they break up camp.

Please contact me at the Monument with any suggestions or questions

1 PM – 2:30 PM

Historian, author, and educator Jason Barney will talk about the activities of the American Revolution in northern Vermont and shine the light on some lesser known actions. Copies of his 2022 book on the subject will be available. Co-sponsored by Mount Independence Coalition. 

10 AM - 5 PM

August 3rd and 5th

On August 3, 1923 Vice President Coolidge was vacationing in his hometown when President Warren Harding passed away. At 2:47 a.m. he took the presidential oath of office in his father’s house and assumed the presidency.

 Witness a reenactment of this exciting event on precisely the 100th anniversary – August 3, 2023 at 2:47 a.m. If you are not a morning person, a second oath reenactment will occur at 2:47 p.m.  Enter into an immersive experience by conversing with costumed actors portraying Plymouth Villagers as they talk about memories of young Cal growing up and what it was like to receive the news that he was president.  

On August 5, we will celebrate with a reprisal appearance of the Plymouth villagers and a reenactment of the memorial service and eulogy to President Harding as it took place in the village’s Union Christian Church in 1923.

The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation will be co-hosting the celebration of this momentous anniversary. For additional activities and information, including a naturalization ceremony on August 3, please visit their website at: https://coolidgefoundation.org/

12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Join us for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence with Citizen Faye, and enjoy lively discussion and audience participation following the reading!