Seal of Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Seal of Vermont |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Versions | |
An older version of the seal used before Ira Allen's rendition was restored in 1937.
|
|
| Armiger | State of Vermont |
| Motto | Freedom & Unity |
The Great Seal of the State of Vermont is the official symbol of the state of Vermont. It is used to make official documents real and true. This seal was designed by Ira Allen. He was the brother of Ethan Allen and helped start the state of Vermont.
Contents
What the Seal Looks Like
The Great Seal shows a large pine tree with 14 branches. This tree grows from a forest. Above the tree, you can see a bundle of grain. The 14 branches stand for the original Thirteen Colonies. Vermont was the 14th state to join the United States.
On the right side of the seal, there is a cow. This cow shows Vermont's long history of dairy farming. At the top and bottom of the seal, there are wavy lines. The top lines might be clouds. The bottom lines probably show water.
Many people believe these wavy lines represent two important rivers. They could be the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain. These bodies of water form Vermont's eastern and western borders.
The words "Freedom & Unity" are at the bottom of the seal. This is Vermont's official state motto. It means that people should have personal freedom. But they also have a duty to work together for their community.
History and Use of the Seal
The Great Seal was first used by the independent Vermont Republic. This was before Vermont joined the Union. The seal's main job is to put a special mark on official papers. This mark proves the documents are real.
The seal is not usually used for decoration. However, there is one special exception. A very large wooden version of the seal was made. It was displayed at the Expo 67 World's Fair.
This large wooden seal later became a backdrop in the Vermont State House. Now, it is in the working offices of the governor of Vermont. You can find it at The Pavilion.
A more colorful picture of the seal's parts is on the coat of arms of Vermont. You can see this picture on the Vermont flag. It is also used on official papers and signs. These signs mark state buildings, bridges, and Vermont's borders.
By law, the Great Seal of Vermont is shared by several parts of the government. These include the Vermont Secretary of State, the governor's office, and the lawmakers and judges. The original metal tools used to make the first seal are kept safe. They are at the Secretary of State's office in Montpelier.
Other Vermont Government Seals
The state government of Vermont uses several different seals. Most of these seals use parts of the coat of arms of Vermont.
-
Seal of the State Treasurer of Vermont
-
Seal of the State Auditor of Vermont
See also
In Spanish: Gran sello del estado de Vermont para niños
