August 16th is a Vermont State Holiday commemorating Bennington Battle Day and the victory over the British on August 16, 1777. To celebrate this Revolutionary War victory, admission to all the state-owned historic sites will be free on Saturday, August 16, 2014.
Pack the picnic basket, grab the kids, invite your friends and neighbors, and head out to enjoy the great Vermont summer at any of the state-owned historic sites.
The annual Bennington Battle Living History Encampment begins at the Bennington Battle Monument. Cannons like those from the American Revolution will be on display and fired periodically on Saturday and Sunday. The event commences with the annual 5K road race, followed by a “Kids Fun Race.” Race registration starts at 8:00 am.
Two other Vermont State Historic Sites played important roles in the American Revolution’s story. In 1776 and 1777, American forces built Mount Independence in Orwell, now the least disturbed Revolutionary War site in America. From 10 am to 4 pm, the site will be running the short film, “Commemorating the Battle of Bennington with Howard Coffin,” prepared by the Friends of the Bennington Battle Monument. The Hubbardton Battlefield in Hubbardton marks the site of the only Revolutionary War battle found on Vermont soil, occurring on July 7, 1777. At 2:00 pm, the Battlefield will hold history storytelling with Vermont authors Nancy Means Wright and Lee Kemsley.
On August 16, admission is also free at Chimney Point State Historic Site in Addison, Old Constitution House in Windsor, Justin Smith Morrill Homestead in Strafford, Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield; President Chester A. Arthur Historic Site in Fairfield, and President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch.
For further information, visit the Vermont State-owned Historic Sites website at www.historicsites.vermont.gov.
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