Historic Sites in Vermont That Every History Student at Middlebury Must See!
As a student of history living in Vermont, one must take this opportunity to explore the unique past of the state. As one of the earliest settled territories in the US, Europeans explored the region as early as 1609. Furthermore, Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery and grant universal male suffrage in its first constitution, adopted in 1777.
Vermont’s special history continues to be preserved in several historical sites, with some of the most exceptional ones being near Middlebury. Here is a short list of some you must see before you graduate!
The Rokeby Museum
The Rokeby Museum, located in Ferrisburg, tells a vivid story of the Underground Railroad and a Vermont abolitionist family’s role in aiding escaped fugitive slaves. Once a thriving farm, the museum now houses nine historical buildings with hundreds of artifacts.
The Robinson family started their lives in Vermont in 1792 and continued lived on their farm until the site became a museum in 1961. The most current exhibit is called Free and Safe: The Underground Railroad in Vermont, which tells the stories of two fugitives from slavery, Simon and Jesse, who escaped and lived in Rokeby in the 1830s. The exhibit includes audio recordings, historic documents, and other artifacts that bring their stories to life.
The Davis Library Special Collection at Middlebury College also houses over 15,000 letters of the Robinson family dating from 1757 to 1962 and allows students endless opportunities for research.
The Rokeby Museum is just a 25-minute drive from the college, at 4334 Route 7, Ferrisburgh, VT, 05456.
The Frost Farm
Between 1939 and 1964, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost spent his summers and falls in a cabin at his farm in Ripton, Vermont. During this time, Frost was closely involved with the college and wrote many of his most memorable poems in the peaceful hills of Vermont. In fact, Frost owned five farms in the Green Mountain State, and many of his works were inspired by the beautiful landscape of Vermont.
Frost was a cofounder of and taught at the Bread Loaf School of English, and often shared his work at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences. Middlebury College now owns the Frost property, where visitors can follow the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail featuring scenic views of the Green Mountain National Forest and Middlebury River. Several of his poems can be enjoyed on plaques throughout the trail.
The Frost farm is located just a 20-minute drive from the college at 4229 Route 125, Ripton, Vermont, 05766.
The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History
The Henry Sheldon Museum is the “oldest community-based museum in the country,” and has been welcoming visitors since 1884. The museum documents and preserves the historic memory of Addison County, and allows guests to enjoy the rich culture and history of our community. For example, the Judd-Harris House was built in 1829, and contains many objects that depict the life of ordinary people in nineteenth century Vermont.
The research Center also houses a large archival collection documenting the history of the region, and allows free admission for students with ID. This gem is located right in the heart of Middlebury, at 1 Park Street, Middlebury, VT, 05753.