What and where were the summertime highlights of the Burgoyne invasion of 1777 that led to the autumn British surrender at Saratoga, which became known as the turning point of the War for American Independence? To answer that question on July 21, by seeing exactly where the history happened, the Crown Point Road Association will lead a single-day long-distance drive-yourself caravan road trip tour from the Hubbardton Battlefield in Rutland County, Vermont to the Bennington Battlefield, which is located in New York State, just west of Bennington County, Vermont.
The Saturday, July 21, 2018 itinerary consists of guided tours of both battlefields and multiple very brief stops along the way, ending with visits to the Bennington Battle Monument (Vermont's only skyscraper) and to the outstanding Bennington Museum. The day's schedule runs from 9:00 a.m., when the historian-led tour of the authentic battle ground at East Hubbardton's state historic site begins, until 5:00 p.m., when the Bennington Museum's open hours end for the day.
Lunch is not included, so all are urged to bring a lunch and cold beverages in a cooler. Our brief lunch break will take place at the Bennington Battlefield (NY) State Historic Site, which has picnic tables outdoors but no food concession.
Quick stops along the way include Castleton village, the East Poultney green, Pawlet, Dorset, Manchester village, Arlington, and Shaftsbury, Vermont. This route was used by the patriot Green Mountain Boys militia in the summer of 1777 and at other times.
No charge will be collected for the overall tour, but three individual entrance fees are charged and are the responsibility of each participant. The group discount admission prices for this organized tour are $1.50 per person at Hubbardton Battlefield, $2.00 per person at Bennington Battle Monument, and $8.50 per person (cash or credit card, but no checks) at the Bennington Museum.
The Bennington Museum maintains a strong collection of objects and documents relating to the battle and has on view in the Sloane Gallery weapons including Vermont firearms, military equipment that was used in the battle (including one of the four cannon captured by American forces), and printed accounts of the battle.
The tour will go forward on July 21, rain or shine. It is a never-before offered public event. For answers to questions about this trip, readers may telephone tour leader Tom Hughes at 802-388-2967.
The Crown Point Road Association formed, as a non-profit membership organization, sixty years ago in 1958 to preserve and research the 1759 Crown Point [military supply] Road which was cut diagonally across the future state of Vermont during the French and Indian War.