Sheldon & Savannah Jewett facts for kids

Sheldon and Savannah Jewett were brothers who were amazing builders! They were famous for creating special wooden bridges called covered bridges. These bridges were often built using a unique style known as the Town lattice design.

Many of the bridges they built are so important that they are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means they are officially recognized as important historical places in America!

Meet the Jewett Brothers

Sheldon and Savannah Jewett lived a long time ago, in the 1800s. They were from Vermont, a state known for its beautiful countryside and many rivers. Building bridges was a very important job back then, as it helped people travel and transport goods across rivers and valleys. The Jewett brothers were experts at this, especially with covered bridges.

What is a Covered Bridge?

You might wonder why a bridge needs a roof and walls! Covered bridges are like long, wooden tunnels that help people and vehicles cross water. The main reason they are covered is to protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain, snow, and sun. Just like a roof protects a house, the cover keeps the wood from rotting or getting damaged. This made the bridges last much, much longer!

People sometimes call them "kissing bridges" because they are dark and private inside, making them a fun place for a quick kiss!

The Town Lattice Design

The Jewett brothers were especially good at building bridges using the Town lattice design. Imagine a criss-cross pattern, like a giant wooden fence, all along the sides of the bridge. This design was invented by a man named Ithiel Town. It uses many smaller pieces of wood connected together to create a very strong and stable structure. This made the bridges sturdy enough to handle heavy wagons and even early cars.

Their Amazing Bridges

The Jewett brothers built many covered bridges, mostly in Vermont. Each one was a masterpiece of engineering for its time. Here are some of the famous bridges they built that are still standing today:

• Comstock Covered Bridge: You can find this bridge off VT 118, crossing the Trout River in Montgomery, VT.
• Fuller Covered Bridge: This bridge crosses Black Falls Brook at Montgomery Village in Montgomery, VT.
• Hectorville Covered Bridge: Located about 1.8 miles south of Montgomery Center, it crosses the South Branch of the Trout River in Montgomery, VT.
• Hopkins Covered Bridge: This bridge crosses the Trout River in Enosburg, VT.
• Hutchins Covered Bridge: You can find this one south of Montgomery Center, also crossing the South Branch of Trout River in Montgomery, VT.
• Longley Covered Bridge: This bridge is northwest of Montgomery, crossing the Trout River in Montgomery, VT.
• West Hill Covered Bridge: About 3.2 miles south of Montgomery, this bridge crosses West Hill Brook in Montgomery, VT.

These bridges are not just old structures; they are important parts of history that show us how people used to build and travel. The Jewett brothers left behind a wonderful legacy of strong, beautiful covered bridges that many people still enjoy today.