Saturdays June 15, July 20, August 17, and September 21
$5, children under 12 free.
11AM leaving from the Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site
Historical tours of Strafford’s village which remains much the same as in Morrill’s time. Tours include Morrill’s birthplace, his father’s blacksmith shop, two libraries, the Strafford Town House, and the mausoleum where Morrill is buried.
For more information please contact: director@morrillhomestead.org
$60 includes materials and a 13'x13' tapestry
10AM-4PM
This needle felting class with Neysa Russo of The Felting Studio will focus on creating a small tapestry with ‘Vermont Wildlife’ as the theme. Needle felting is a simple technique that uses barbed needles to decorate a wool surface with design. There will be an abundance of designs to choose from or create your own from scratch. Along the way, you will build your needling skills, gain design experience and experiment with color. While we needle, we can talk about inspiration, composition, color choices, needle varieties, fiber, felting history, and more. You will also gain insight into the basic principles of wet felting. Beginners are Welcome!
To register email director@morrillhomestead.org
Free Event
2-4PM
At 2:30 join No Strings Marionette Co. for “Wasabi… A Dragon’s Tale”
You will be delighted as the spunky Princess Aja, with a little help from her wise fairy friends, outwits Wasabi, a fire-breathing dragon to save the day.
Exquisitely crafted marionettes perform amidst sumptuous story-book scenery. A transforming sprite, a fashionable knight, and a seven foot dragon partake in this newfangled fable, where both your imagination and the stage have no boundaries.
For more information, contact the Friends of the Morrill Homestead at 802-649-2940
Free Event
1-4PM
Work with the Homestead’s Master Gardeners to prepare the Victorian gardens for the 2024 season. This is the first of several projects designed to nurture the colorful annual beds in the pleasure ground and expand the kitchen garden—Morrill’s laboratory for experimenting with plant hardiness that contains a variety of roses, perennials, berry bushes, and herbs.
Come join us and become a part of Vermont’s history as we care for the historic landscape of this very influential American. You can earn all of your Master Gardener outreach hours with us.
For more information, call the Friends of the Morrill Homestead at 802-649-2940
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.
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.
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.
