Vermont has many Civil War sites and monuments that you should check out if you’re interested in learning more about this time in American history. Some of the sites are located in the town of Hildene, where you’ll find the home of Robert Todd Lincoln. There are also monuments in Rutland and Brandon, where you’ll find the site of the Battle of Bennington. Lastly, there’s the Soldiers’ Monument in Derby.
Bennington Battle Monument
If you are a history buff, you may want to consider a visit to the Bennington Battle Monument. The monument commemorates the Battle of Bennington, which occurred on August 16, 1777. This victory gave the United States of America its first victory in the Revolutionary War.
The monument stands 306 feet high and is made from blue-grey magnesian limestone. It features an elevator, an observation level, and interpretive signage.
The monument was constructed in four years. Boston architect J. Phillip Rinn was commissioned to design the monument. His “Big Tower” design included curved edges, a two-ton capstone, and twenty 11-foot slotted openings.
Bennington’s Battle Monument is operated by a non-profit volunteer group. Visitors can obtain a free leaflet about the battle.
Derby’s Soldiers’ Monument
Derby’s Soldiers’ Monument is a memorial to local men who served in the Civil War. It is an 18 foot tall granite obelisk on a raised platform. The base of the monument contains plaques listing the names of 82 soldiers killed in action.
On October 31, 1866, the first Civil War monument was dedicated in the state of Vermont. The monument honors local men from Derby and Huntington.
The monument is surrounded by a two-acre lawn. Re-enactors have placed flowers on the marker. A bronze statue of a Civil War soldier was added in 1883.
In addition to the Civil War statue, the park also features a bell to honor local firefighters. This statue is the tallest of its kind in the state.
Brandon’s monuments
Brandon’s Civil War sites and monuments are a testament to the sacrifices made by men who fought for the Union or Confederacy. The first grade girls in Brandon perform a touching ceremony around the base of the statue on Memorial Day.
James Henry Brandon, a 20-year-old member of the Confederacy, was captured at the Battle of Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was sent to a Union prison camp in Rock Island, Illinois.
James Henry Brandon was buried in the cemetery northeast of the old Brandon homestead. His grave is topped with a Confederate flag. This small cemetery is maintained by descendants of the founding family.
It was in 1907 that the Brandon Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a monument to honor Brandon’s Civil War soldiers. Today, it stands 37 feet tall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rutland’s monuments
The state of Vermont has many Civil War sites and monuments. These sites honor both soldiers and veterans who sacrificed during the war. They also serve as reminders of the sacrifices made during the Reconstruction period. Some of these memorials are located in towns across the state.
In addition to the state’s monuments, Vermont has several museums that are dedicated to telling the stories of the Civil War and of the men who served in it. Most of these museums have significant collections of materials related to the war.
During the Civil War, over 32,000 Vermonters served in the Union Army. Many of these soldiers went on to lead and succeed in their fields. A number of them stayed in the state to work in factories and provide goods to the North.
Hildene, home of Robert Todd Lincoln
Hildene, Vermont’s Civil War sites and monuments are a must-see for anyone visiting this part of the country. Situated in the Battenkill Valley between the Green Mountains and the Taconic Mountains, Hildene offers gorgeous views.
It’s a family-friendly, thought-provoking destination. A museum, farm, observatory, and Bobolink sanctuaries also adorn the site. For a full tour of the house, there are knowledgeable docents. The property has more than a dozen gardens, many free of synthetic pesticides.
The estate features 12 miles of hiking trails and a 600-foot floating wetland boardwalk. Hikers can enjoy the beauty of VT’s green mountains and the Battenkill River.
Hildene is open to the public year-round. There are tours of the house, a gift shop, and an artisanal cheese-making facility.