List of Vermont State Historic Sites facts for kids

Vermont is a state in the northeastern United States. It is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. Vermont also has many important places that tell stories about its past. These places are called Vermont State Historic Sites. They help us learn about famous people, important battles, and how people lived long ago.

Exploring Vermont's Historic Sites

Vermont's State Historic Sites are special places. They are protected and cared for so that everyone can visit them and learn about history. Each site offers a unique look into different times and events that shaped Vermont and the United States. From old schoolhouses to battlefields, these sites bring history to life.

Famous Birthplaces and Homes

Some historic sites are homes or birthplaces of important people. Visiting these places helps us understand their lives.

Chester A. Arthur's Childhood Home

The Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site marks the birthplace of Chester A. Arthur. He became the 21st President of the United States. This site helps visitors imagine what life was like for a future president growing up in Vermont.

Calvin Coolidge's Homestead

The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is where Calvin Coolidge was born and lived. He became the 30th President of the United States. This site is special because it looks much like it did when he lived there. You can see his family home, the church, and the general store.

Justin Morrill's Historic House

The Senator Justin Morrill State Historic Site was the home of Justin Smith Morrill. He was a very important U.S. Senator. He helped create laws that supported colleges focused on agriculture and mechanics. His beautiful home shows how people lived in the 1800s.

Revolutionary War Battlegrounds

Vermont played a role in the American Revolutionary War. Several historic sites remember these important conflicts.

Bennington Battle Monument

The Bennington Battle Monument State Historic Site is a tall stone tower. It honors the Battle of Bennington. This battle was a key moment in the Revolutionary War. It helped the American forces win the larger Battle of Saratoga.

Hubbardton Battlefield

The Hubbardton Battlefield is the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely in Vermont. It took place in 1777. American soldiers fought bravely against British forces here. Visiting the site helps you understand the challenges soldiers faced.

Mount Independence Fortifications

Mount Independence was a large military fort during the Revolutionary War. It was built in 1776 to protect Lake Champlain. Soldiers lived and trained here. Today, you can explore the remains of the fort and learn about its defenses.

Early American Life and History

Other sites show us what everyday life was like in early Vermont. They also highlight important moments in the state's history.

Chimney Point's Long History

The Chimney Point State Historic Site has a very long history. People have lived there for over 7,500 years. Native Americans, French colonists, and early American settlers all made their homes here. The site has exhibits that tell the stories of these different cultures.

Eureka Schoolhouse: A Step Back in Time

The Eureka Schoolhouse State Historic Site is an old one-room schoolhouse built around 1790. It shows what schools were like in early Vermont. Children of all ages learned together in one room. It's a great way to see how education has changed.

Old Constitution House: Vermont's Birthplace

The Old Constitution House State Historic Site is a very important place. In 1777, Vermont's first constitution was written here. This document made Vermont an independent republic before it joined the United States. It was also one of the first to outlaw slavery.

Hidden Treasures: Lake Champlain Shipwrecks

Lake Champlain holds many secrets beneath its waters. Several historic shipwrecks are protected as state historic sites.

Underwater History in Lake Champlain

The waters of Lake Champlain hide several historic shipwrecks. These sunken vessels are like time capsules. They offer clues about trade, travel, and life on the lake long ago. Divers and researchers study them to learn more about the past.

• Burlington Bay Horse Ferry: This unique ferry used horses to power its paddles.
• General Butler: A schooner that sank in 1876.
• O.J. Walker: A canal boat that sank in 1895.
• Phoenix: A steamboat that sank after a fire in 1819.
• Champlain II: A steamboat that sank in 1871.
• Coal Barge: A barge used to transport coal.
• Diamond Island Stone Boat: A boat used to carry stone.