Things to do / Travel Guide
The New Hampshire and Vermont region is steeped in the history of the early years of the United States. Locals have gone to great lengths to preserve that history, not just in the museums, pioneer villages, and other historic sites, but also along country roads and covered bridges from the 19th and early 20th centuries. As one of the original 13 American Colonies, New Hampshire is a historical hot spot. The towns of Portsmouth, Exeter, and Canterbury, all played important roles in local history. Additionally, with many towns serving as the sites of various American Revolutionary battles, such as in Dover and Durham, almost every place in New Hampshire is chock full of history.
In Vermont you can find such areas in Burlington, Montpelier, Shelburne, Middlebury, and Bennington. Most of these towns traded hands during various wars, such as the French and Indian War of 1755. Some of the greatest patriots in American history, including John Paul Jones and Ethan Allen, who fought in the French and Indian War, come from Vermont. Allen, for instance, is buried in the Green Mountains Cemetery in Burlington. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was born and raised in Plymouth, Vermont and his childhood home is now an historical site.
Historical Attractions in New Hampshire's Merrimack Valley
Canterbury, for instance, was founded in 1792, and has become internationally known for its 25 original Shaker buildings and almost 700 acres of land dedicated to the conservation of the 200+-year-old Shaker heritage. Though all members of the Shaker faith in this area have passed on, since 1992 the Canterbury Shaker Village has remained active as a non-profit National Historic Landmark museum that serves as a window into the unique Shaker lifestyle. The simply-designed village is home to a beautiful church and gazebo and is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., offering a variety of different tours.
Historical Attractions in New Hampshire's Seacoast Area
Portsmouth is the third-oldest city in the United States, having been founded in 1623. The coastal city is famous for opening the first naval shipyard in the United States in 1800, which is actually located across the Piscataqua River in Maine. Also luring many visitors to the coastal city is the Strawbery Banke area, where buildings once belonging to shipping barons proudly depict the Federal and Georgian architectural styles.
Originally founded in 1638, the town of Exeter played a notable role in the nation's earliest wars. For instance, you can visit the Powder House, which is famous for having been a storage place for weaponry and ammunition during the Battle of Bunker Hill, in the American Revolution, as well as in the War of 1812. Exeter was also the birthplace of the modern Republican party in 1853. Visitors can truly get a sense of Exeter's history by visiting the American Independence Museum there.
Historic Covered Bridges in New Hampshire and Vermont
There are dozens of historic covered bridges in the New Hampshire and Vermont region to be seen throughout both states. Bridges began sporting coverings in this region in the early 19th century, as bridge builders sought to protect the spans from harsh weather conditions. Built in a variety of styles unique to each locale, some bridges doubled as diving platforms, areas for social dances, fishing spots, and event boxing rings.
The bridge in Haverhill-Bath was built in 1832 and is the oldest authenticated covered bridge in New Hampshire, located in Woodsville. The Lancaster-Lunenburg bridge, built in 1911, is also notable as it spans the Connecticut River between the two states. One of the more picturesque bridges in Vermont is the Dummerston Covered Bridge, located in Windham County. This 1872-era bridge, which is quite photogenic from almost any angle, spans the length of the West River and was completely restored in 1998.
Historical Attractions in Northern Vermont
Battery Street in Burlington is the heart of the city's historical sites. Battery Park, at the north end of Battery Street, was the site of a battle between U.S. soldiers and the British Royal Navy during the American Revolution. Burlington was also in the battle zone of several skirmishes during the war of 1812, and many artifacts from that time have been recovered nearby. In addition, the first Montgomery Ward building was built in this city in 1929
Historical Attractions in Central Vermont
Pay a visit to the Rock of Ages Quarry in Barre and tour the world's largest deep-hole granite quarries with exhibits, historic displays, and theater presentation. You can take a self-guided tour of the facilities daily from May-October, while narrated tours are also available Monday-Friday from June-October.
Historical Attractions in Southern Vermont
The Robert Frost Stone House Museum, only minutes away from his gravesite in Bennington, was recently opened to honor one of the most well-known poets in U.S. history. Frost lived in the Stone House in South Shaftsbury, Vermont from 1920-1929. While living in Middlebury, Vermont, Frost composed many of the pieces that became part of his first Pulitzer Prize-winning volume, published in 1923, including “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Stopping by the museum on any evening (or morning or afternoon, for that matter) is a great way to learn a bit about this great poet and his literary contributions.
Fort Drummer, located near Brattleboro, was first established by British settlers in 1724, making it the state's first European settlement.
Historical Sites in Burlington, Stowe, Rutland and the New Hampshire and Vermont mountains
Historical-Sites
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