Join the Waterbury Public Library on a field trip to the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Barre on Wednesday, August 22nd, from 9 am to 2 pm. The field trip is part of the 2018 Vermont Reads One-Book, Statewide, Community Reads Program featuring Katherine Paterson's book, "Bread and Roses, Too", a novel of historical fiction that tells the story of the 1912 "Bread and Roses" strike in the Lawrence, Massachusetts textile mills through the eyes of an Italian-American girl and run-away boy. The Granite Industry and Barre, Vermont is featured prominently in the book as the protagonist, Rosa and other children are temporarily sent to foster families in Barre to safe-guard them during the strike. The field trip honors the contribution these immigrants made to the granite industry, the artisan community, and how they shaped our labor force today.

The guided quarry tour takes you to an overlook of the Smith Quarry, the largest operating deep-hole, dimension granite quarry in the world at nearly 600 feet deep. There will be a self-guided tour as well, where you can learn about the quarrying and manufacturing processes, browse the historic photos and exhibits and have time to shop at the Visitor's Center for granite gifts or other specialty products. The self-guided factory tour lets you experience both the old and the new from an observation deck. Some of the tools are hundreds of years old, yet artisans use them alongside the latest computer-guided diamond tipped saws and precision grinders. There is even an outdoor granite bowling lane to try your hand at. Plan on bringing a lunch. The deadline to register is Thursday, August 16th to ensure your seat on the bus. If not enough people sign up, the field trip will be made by individuals carpooling instead. Either way, plan on meeting at the library by 9 a.m. with a return ETA of 2 p.m.
There is no cost for the bus, but there is admission to the quarry. Children from 6-13, $2.00 if by bus, $2.50 by car; Adults and seniors: $4.25 by bus, Adults $5.00 and seniors (62+) $4.50 by car.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For registration and information call the library at 244-7036.

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