Bennington Battle Monument facts for kids
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Bennington Battle Monument
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Bennington Battle Monument
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| Location | Monument Circle Bennington, Vermont |
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| Part of | Old Bennington Historic District (ID84000030) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000054 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 31, 1971 |
| Designated CP | October 4, 1984 |
The Bennington Battle Monument is a tall stone tower in Bennington, Vermont. It stands 306-foot-high (93 m), which is about as tall as a 30-story building! This impressive monument honors the Battle of Bennington. This important battle happened during the American Revolutionary War.
The battle took place on August 16, 1777. American forces, led by Brigadier General John Stark, fought against parts of the British army. General Stark had about 1,400 soldiers from New Hampshire. They were also helped by soldiers from Vermont and Massachusetts. The British were trying to capture weapons and food stored near where the monument is today. The Americans won this battle. Even though it's called the Battle of Bennington, the fighting actually happened about 10 miles (16 km) away. This was in Walloomsac, New York. Today, the actual battlefield is a U.S. National Historic Landmark in New York.
Building a Monument to History
After 100 years, in 1877, people in Bennington wanted to build a monument. They wanted to remember the important battle. Many ideas for the monument were considered. One early idea was for a stone column only 100 feet (30 m) tall. This idea was shown during the battle's 100-year celebration. Even President Rutherford B. Hayes came to this event!
Eventually, a design by J. Phillip Rinn was chosen. The first stone for the monument was placed in 1887. The monument was finished in November 1889. It cost about $112,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The monument is made from a special blue-gray stone called Sandy Hill Dolomite. This stone came from Hudson Falls, New York.
The official dedication ceremony for the monument happened in 1891. President Benjamin Harrison attended the event. He even held a special party at the nearby Walloomsac Inn. Today, the Bennington Battle Monument is a Vermont State Historic Site. This means it's an important historical place in Vermont.
What You Can See at the Monument
The monument has an observatory level about 200 feet (61 m) up. You can reach this level by an elevator. From there, you can see amazing views of Vermont. You can also see parts of Massachusetts and New York.
Inside the monument, you can see a kettle. This kettle was captured from General Burgoyne's camp during the war. There is also a diorama, which is a 3D model, showing the battle. You can also learn how the monument was built. Outside, on the grounds, you'll find statues of important figures. These include John Stark, who famously said, "Live free or die". There is also a statue of Seth Warner.
The monument is about 10 miles (16 km) from the actual battlefield. But it is very close to where the Catamount Tavern once stood. This tavern was a famous meeting place. It's where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys planned to capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.
Gallery
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Full View in late afternoon
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View from elevator floor facing east towards Green Mountains
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View of Bennington Battle Monument
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Statue of Brigadier General John Stark
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Statue of Seth Warner
