"What a wonderful crowd! What a wonderful occasion!" Richard Ketchum, Pulitzer Prize winning author and former Editor-in-Chief of American Heritage Books, summed up the day with these words as he delivered the keynote address at the opening of the Mount Independence Visitor Center on July 27th. It was a beautiful day of celebration at Mount Independence as the new Visitor Center was dedicated and opened to the public. About 2,000 people, including state officials, local residents, tourists and historical reenactors, joined in the festivities.

Fife and drum music, provided by the Fort Ticonderoga Association Fife and Drum Corps and the Hanaford's Volunteers Fyfe and Drum, filled the air along with the sounds of cannon shooting and marching commands as visitors arrived by the hundreds to attend the dedication ceremony, visit the museum and walk portions of the seven miles of interpretive trails that cover the mount. Governor Howard Dean, U. S. Senator James Jeffords, U.S. Congressman Bernard Sanders and Vermont officials from the Division of Historic Preservation, the Department of Tourism and Marketing and Agency of Commerce and Community Development all took part in the dedication ceremony.

By mid-day, the crowd gathered in the shade of a huge tent and overflowed onto the surrounding parking lot and lawn. Townsend Anderson, State Historic Preservation Officer of the Division for Historic Preservation set the tone by indicating that: "The Visitor Center was built by Vermonters for Vermonters and our many thousands of travel guests. We appreciate those officials and volunteers who have put their hearts and souls into this site, making this all possible."

Anderson recognized many individuals including Vt. Legislator Mark Young, and Fort Ticonderoga Board Member Robert Maguire, as well as John Williams and Dr. Thomas H. Reynolds represented the Mount Independence Associates. State Architect John Ostrum and Historic Sites Operations Chief John Dumville worked together with Truex Cullins and Partners and Wright Construction in the construction of the uniquely designed building. Dr. David Starbuck, director of the archaeological work done at Mount Independence, was credited with having such a contagious interest in the Mount that those team members who caught his enthusiasm went out and organized the Mount Independence Coalition. Audrey Porsche, Regional Historic Sites Administrator, was feted with a floral bouquet in thanks for her tireless effort with which she orchestrated the creation of the Visitor Center and Museum.

Bobbe Maynes, Commissioner of the Department of Tourism & Marketing lauded the fact that "we can now encourage our visitors to go beyond Vermont's natural beauty, to explore not only our rich recreational offerings but also an interpretation of our historical background. Today we are giving our 8 million visitors a reason to come back often. This site offers a wonderful synergy between preservation, interpretation and promotion."

William Shouldice, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce & Community Development followed up Maynes remarks by indicating, "Mount Independence is the first of hopefully several historical sites to be made available to the public, thanks to the hard work and commitment of Governor Dean."

Noting that the audience was probably the most people that have been on top of the hill since the Revolutionary War, Governor Howard Dean discussed the importance of the site for Vermonters.

"It is important for Vermonters to understand the role that Vermont played in the Revolutionary War, which was significant and substantial. Heritage tourism is about the best kind of tourism. This is a very important beginning to our state's investment in heritage tourism. The museum exhibit is real quality!"

Governor Dean recognized Tony Pell, President of the Fort Ticonderoga Association for his cooperation and support of the development of the Mount Independence site. Referring to Louise Ransom as "one of the most public spirited people I know," Dean made it known that he was delighted to have her talents at work as President of the Mount Independence Coalition. He echoed Townsend Anderson's remark that "without the efforts of the Mount Independence Coalition in bringing public attention to the importance of this site, it might not have gotten the attention of the legislature." He also credited Orwell's Mike Audet, Chairman of the Vermont State Colleges Board, with being the Mount's "unofficial motivator" by taking him aside at a farmers' meeting in his barn and persuading him to look seriously at Mount Independence as a heritage project.

U.S. Congressman Bernard Sanders, a key advocate for historic preservation and an honorary member of the Mount Independence Coalition, sensed enormous pride and satisfaction within the people gathered for the dedication. "How often do we hear about a traffic jam in downtown Orwell?" he quipped. "Too often we forget about our past, the extraordinary history of the independent, hard-working people who have fought so hard to create the kind of state we have today.

What we have seen by the creation of this Visitor Center is really what Vermont is about..... people coming together to preserve. It is so exciting to see so many people come together to create something so beautiful. Congratulations! My hat is off to you!"

Senator James Jeffords introduced his special guest, 93-year old Marjorie Pierce of Shrewsbury. Her great-great-great grandfather, Matthew Kennedy, left his wife and children in Goffstown, N. H., to serve at Mount Independence in the summer of 1776. There he died of disease and hunger and was buried along with about a thousand others on the Mount. Their gravesites have been left undisturbed by archaeologists.

Jeffords' bill to establish the Lake Champlain Heritage Corridor as a link between sites on both sides of the lake, was the result of his introduction to the Mount. He recalled being urged to come here by former Rep. Jane Mendicino and that she would not let him forget it. He was exuberant as he talked about the Mount and the accomplishment of the Visitor Center.

"This is a wonderful day! So many of you have worked so hard toward this day. We have an incredible opportunity here as Mount Independence is the only really undisturbed Revolutionary site of any significance in the country. The dedication of this Visitor Center is a tribute, not only to the patriots of the American Revolution but to the Town of Orwell and the Audet family in particular, and to the State of Vermont for recognition of how deeply they care about their past. I am confident, as the years roll by, the considerable investment made in this distinctive building will be repaid time and time again. By investing in our past, we guarantee our future. By reaching across the long years to the minds of those who honored the landscape, we open the minds of generations to come. The gift of history is the gift of the future beyond contemplation. I am hopeful that one day this wonderful new facility will be a prominent stop along the Heritage Corridor."

Sen. Jeffords then introduced the keynote speaker, Richard Ketchum, stating that "nobody knows the events that involved the ghosts of history better than this man."Ketchum's encounters with the Ghosts of Mount Independence were so impressive that his talk has been reprinted in its entirety in the insert included with this newsletter.

Following the keynote speech General David Bernier Sr., representing the Living History Association, and dressed in his regimental uniform, presented each of the speakers with a piece of authentic Vermont clay pottery made by the Colonial Stoneware Pottery Co. of Eastham, MA. Commemorative mugs were received by most, while Townsend Anderson was given a crock adomed with a replica of the powder horn map on a museum artifact and Sen. Jeffords was presented with an 18th Century Chocolate Pitcher in honor of his dedication to the Heritage Corridor.

When Gen. Bemier began reading the Declaration of Independence, as Col. Arthur St. Clair had on July 28, 1776, a voice rose up from the British ranks standing in fonnation outside the ceremonial tent shouting, "They're declaring their independence! What will we do?" After a moment of subdued silence, His Majesty's 53rd and 29th Foot Regiments retreated behind the Visitor Center accompanied by a forlorn drum beat and laughter from the crowd. "It appears there are those who do not wish to hear these words," remarked Bernier as he continued his reading.

Following the ceremony, a rousing military salute by members of the assembled reenactment units of the Living History Association ushered Governor Dean, Senator Jeffords and Congressman Sanders toward the entrance of the Visitor Center for the ribbon-cutting that officially opened its doors.

Site Interpreter Michael Knapp was on hand, along with M.I.C. volunteers to acquaint visitors with the museum. People strolled from the stem to the bow of the 8,000 square foot, boat-shaped building, passing among stylized wooden posts or pickets that evoke the wooden stockade of the original star-shaped fort on Mount Independence. They sensed the presence of the soldiers of the Mount as they viewed artifacts recovered during archaeological investigations. Many took ample time to assimilate the interpretations that describe the offensive and defensive strategies of the Revolutionary War regiments, the role played by the forces on Mount Independence, their gains and losses and, finally, Mount Independence as it is today.

Most impressive among the artifacts on display are log timbers from the cribs that had supported Col. Jeduthan Baldwin's "Great Bridge" connecting Mount Independence to Fort Ticonderoga and a 3,000 pound cannon, restored and contributed to the exhibit by the Champlain Maritime Museum, under the direction of Art Cohn.

Exhibit Designers Robei-tDube and Marie Claire Lagace, members of Le Groupe D.E.S. of Montreal attended the opening and were commended for their tremendous creativity evident in the design of the superb exhibit which is slated to be completed by 1998. The later phase will include a large-scale group sculpture of six computerized Revolutionary War soldiers who will give visitors first-hand accounts from the "ghosts" of those who occupied the Mount, based upon journals, letters, and military records. Computerized historic maps will afford visitors realistic navigation of the territory covered by Revolutionary War soldiers in the Lake Champlain campaigns.

Throughout the day history buffs wandered through an encampment, getting a glimpse at what life was like for the soldiers that lived there from 1776 to 1777. Eleven reenactment units represented those that were stationed at Mount Independence and Fort Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War. They provided a dramatic 18th Century living history ambiance with their costumes, encampment, and drills.

Anson Piper, one of 15 members of the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment from Fort Edward, NY, headed by Capt. John Faulhaber, greeted visitors in his tent with vivid stories of the activities of his regiment. Further up the hill, small white tents surrounding the information kiosk, were occupied by soldiers and camp followers. Herrick's Rangers; Whitcomb's Rangers; 35 members of the 25th Continental of Massachusetts; the 2nd Continental of New Hampshire; His Majesty's 29th Regiment of Foot, under the command of Jim Ross of Middlebury; Henry's Rifles of Pennsylvania, and His Majesty's 53rd Regiment of Foot from New York, were among the regiments on hand to talk to visitors and reenact drills. An authentic brass cannon that was fired off during one drill lent particular drama to the event. The cannon, cast in 1763 in Reinland, Germany, was captured from Gen. John Burgoyne at Saratoga.

Children played at being Revolutionary War soldiers, running through the encampment in formation and responding to the weu-practiced commands of their officer, ten-year-old Rick Tucker. Even in play they moved in controlled lines, dropping to one knee on command before pretending to fire their realistic looking fifles, just as they have seen their fathers do. Two-year-old Zachary Torrey, dressed in striped pants and a three-cornered hat, held his own along with his six-year-old brother, Alan, in the line. Their costumed mother, Kathy Tonry of East Longmeadow, MA, interrupted her campfire cooking long enough to relate the important benefits the children derive from participating in reenactments.

"These children appreciate what their real life is like and what they have after living the Spartan encampment lifestyle. When they reach school age, they often know more about the Revolutionary War than their teachers know."

Among Col. Benjamin Flower's Artificers encamped on the Mount was reenactor Ronald Dursza of Enfield, CT, who demonstrated leather working while his wife, Patricia, stirred steaming food in a huge iron kettle hanging over an open fire. In a nearby tent, Lee Fisher of Dover, NH, explained colonial medicine used to treat the soldiers on Mount Independence.

Members of the Mount Independence Coalition were out in full force acting as tour guides, soliciting new members, running the gift shop and, in general, orienting visitors to the Visitor Center, the site and activities of the day.

John Roe, Director of Conservation programs for the Nature Conservancy, and Bruce Hedin conducted nature tours. John has done major work on East Creek preservation. As he walked the trails on opening day, he acquainted visitors with the wide variety of flora that covers the mount ranging from three types of evergreens, numerous species of ferns and wild flowers to shoreline plant life that includes the largest cattail community in the entire state.

Bruce related the results of his five-year study of the wildlife of the Mount. He pointed out common birds, including Robins, White-throated Sparrows and Ravens as he ambled along the trails with visitors throughout the day. Some were surprised to hear that Bohemian Wax Wings have wintered on the Mount at times. The Mount also holds the only confirmed nesting site of Long-eared Owls in the state of Vermont. A checklist of Birds of the Mount corn led and coordinated by Hedin and illustrated by Charles Copeland, was available on opening day in the gift shop along with a listing of Flora of Mount Independence based on work by Jerry Jenkins.

83 members of the American Volkssports Association, a family-oriented non-profit organization which promotes physical fitness through walking and other noncompetitive sports, walked the seven-mile interpretive trail system throughout the day. Members of the Twin States Volkssport Association (Vermont 341) and the Adirondack Wanderers (New York 87) were out on the trails by 8 am. "Our aim is to walk our land," explained Charlotte Phillips of Middlebury, VT. She claims to have walked 3,500 miles since 1984 in every state in the U.S. Earlier in the week, she and others had walked over the Fort Ticonderoga site as well.

The Orwell Ladies Auxiliary were busy all day serving up hardy sandwiches, desserts and drinks in the food tent while students of Fair Haven Union High School handed out dishes of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and cake, iced tea and punch catered by Mary Jo Morgan of Vergennes, VT.

All in all it was a wonderful day of fun, leaming, commemoration and rejoicing over a dream-come-true in the form of the Visitor Center at the Mount Independence State Historic Site. Many visitors, dignitaries, volunteers and reenactors left the Mount at the end of the day with Mike Audet's words ringing in their ears........ Let us not forget the officers and soldiers who served here."

 

President's Message by Louise Ransom

"A real community event-Vermont Style."

It happened! It really happened! The eagerly awaited new Visitor Center/Museum was formally dedicated on July 27, 1996. Read all about the exciting events of the day in Donna Martin's article in this issue.

It never could have been the success it was without the well-coordinated and collaborative efforts of the Vermont Department for Historic Preservation staff, Coalition volunteer members and Board, and the residents of Orwell. We can't even begin to talk about the celebration without acknowledging the contribution of member volunteer, Frank Bump, Jr. in clearing and preparation of the trails well before the opening.

The Orwell Fire Department, led by Louis Hall, guided the parking of over 500 cars in the Carlotto's field. Board Treasurer Dave Pinkham managed the VIP parking at the top of the hill. Charlie and Lee Sherman of Orwell drove the two shuttle buses all day long. Board Vice President Mike Audet of Orwell, at the last minute, commandeered the Castleton State College van to accommodate the growing crowd. Tony Korda of Orwell piloted the Rescue and First Aid vehicle.

Jim Graham of Taylor Rentals in Rutland donated a large percentage of the cost of the main tent. The Vermont National Guard was solicited to provide a flat bed truck for the Speakers' Platform, and the huge behemoth was cheerfully delivered by Sgt. Barrows. Alas, the 40-foot flat bed was too high for the tent roof, so Sgt. Barrows, just as cheerful, drove it away. Fortu,iately, Taylor Rentals was able to supply carpeted risers for the platform.

Steve Buxton, of Buxton's Store in Orwell, and Mike Audet engineered the borrowing and returning of chairs, tables and podium from the Town Hall with fon-ner Board member Judy Symon of Shoreham providing one of the three pick-up trucks. Judy also made herself available for anything that needed doing.

The VDHP staff planned for the excellent speakers and ribbon cutting, and Dennis Howe, a former Board member and digger, printed the commemorative programs in his Concord, NH print shop.

Murray Korda of Orwell provided parking and site signs and general coordination of the reception. Joan Dundon of Orwell provided a tent for the reception and huge swaths and rosettes of red, white and blue bunting. She also recruited Fair Haven High School students who were friendly and efficient servers of beverages, the Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and the ten delicious sheet cakes, beautifully made, decorated and donated by caterer Mary Jo Morgan of Vergennes.

Board member Bob Martin of Orwell brought his milk truck to be a cooler for the lemonade, iced tea and ice cream. David Bain of Orwell was an overall handyman everywhere. His particular feat was the setting up of the Public Address system, aided by Murray Korda, a long way from the source of electricity. David's wife, Mary Duffy, produced masses of flowers and identification badges where needed. Mike Audet's mother, Lorraine, planted flowers around the new entrance sign with the help of Don and Rosie Moser, and Mary Duffy's mother, Kaye Duffy, was an all around handy person and errand runner.

Merle Parsons, who lives in a houseboat at Buoy 39 and is an experienced archaeologist, (wo)manned the Membership booth, along with Board members Sherry Mahady, Jane Mendicino, and Phil Keyes. Merle's husband, Bobby Parsons, videotaped the whole affair. Board members Ben Kernan and John Roe coordinated guided tours of the Mount's trails. John Roe, and former Board member Bruce Hedin, conducted nature tours, and Board members Mike Barbieri, and Bernie Noble, uniformned reenactors, guided many visitors through the trails and the encampment.

Board member Donna Martin covered the whole event for the Courier, and her husband Burnie Martin, took the photographs which appear in this issue.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Orwell Fire Department, in their matching T-shirts, were delighted to have been "sold out" by the end of the day. They served home-made lunches to visitors and workers who came early, and to many of the reenactors.

All in all, it was a real community enterpriseVermont style. None of us had ever participated in an event of quite such magnitude. Imagination and improvisation were the order of the day as we scanned the sky apprehensively for signs of rain. Can you imagine the Carlotto's field as a sea of mud?

It was all of us working together that made this wonderful opening day such a success. Congratulations and appreciation to all who participated, and my apologies for anyone inadvertently left out. There were so many helpful hands!

With Lewis Carroll we have to say,

"Oh Frabjus Day, Calloo, Callay!"

 

Adopt -An-Artifact Program Update By Audrey Porsche

 

Thanks to several donors, four of the eleven artifacts in the original Adopt-An-Artifact Program have been adopted and conserved. Funds are still being sought to pay for the conservation of the remaining pieces. These include: the James Hill bottle, a scratch blue saucer, a porcelain cup, a medicine cup, cuff links, and a knife blade and fork.

In addition, a second, smaller group of artifacts has been identified as needing conservation work. These include a fascine knife, fish hook, gaff hook, kettle hook, shoulder buckle, and a key. Although these pieces are already on exhibit, they will be treated over the winter after the center closes for the season and be returned in time for the 1997 season.

Conservation costs for individual pieces vary from $160 to $1000. Considergettingagroupoffriends or colleagues together to pool resources for a group donation. It also makes a unique birthday or Christmas gift for the history-minded individual!

Anyone interested in adopting one of these artifacts or for more information about the program should contact Audrey Porsche c/o Chimney Point State Historic Site, RD I Box 3546, Vergennes, VT 05491 (802) 759-2412, FAX (802) 759-2547 or by EMail: aporsche@gate.dca.state.vt.us

 

1996 Mount Independence Lecture Series

Just days after the Grand Opening of the new center, visitors to the site were treated to a talk by Art Cohn of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) about the 1993 Underwater Archaeology Project and recent developments. This was the first lecture of a four-part series at Mount Independence.

The series highlights recent research about Mount Independence conducted by several scholars in different disciplines. Lectures to date include: a discussion of the conservation and analysis of "Artifacts Recovered During the Underwater Excavation atmount Independence" by Scott McLaughlin (LCMM) on August 15 and "The Land Archaeology at Mount Independence" by David Starbuck on August 22.

The series concludes on Thursday, September 12 at 7:00 P.M. when Don Wickman (LCMM) will discuss "Who Really Did Build Everything at Mount Independence?" Although all four speakers have discussed their respective topics at various area institutions, this series brings them together at the visitor center during this exciting inaugural season and provides a unique opportunity to update their research.

Wish List:

Slide Projector

(for future Lecture series!)

Walkie Talkies

(for trail crews as well as special events logistics)

 

Thank you to M.I.C.!

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation wishes to thank and acknowledge the Coalition for all its hard work in preparing for and assisting with the Grand Opening of the Mount Independence State Historic Site Visitor Center & Museum. It was, by all accounts, a great success and could not have happened without support from many individuals and organizations, including the Mount Independence Coalition.

Special thanks to M.I.C. for funding the new orientation video that is shown continuously in the center's auditorium. Written largely by David Starbuck with assistance from M.I.C. Board member David Pinkham, the twelve-minute video was produced by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation at the Vermont ETV Video Productions studio. It has already been seen by a few thousand visitors to the site.

 

Annual Meeting Scheduled

The Annual Meeting for members and guests of the Mount Independence Coalition will take place on Saturday, October 19, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium of the Mount Independence Visitor Center.

Members will receive an official invitation at least 30 days prior to the meeting which will include proposed amendments to the by-laws and election of Board members.

The program will include future plans and activities at the Mount.

"'This was Sunday, and after divine worship the troops were assembled to hear Colonel St. Clair read the Declaration of Independence. He finished with 'God save the free independent States of America!' and the Army responded with three loud cheers.

Parole: Quebec: Countersign: Ticonderoga Second New Jersey Retimental Orderly Book 1776, Doyen Salsig, Editor,Associated University Presses, Inc., Cranbury, NJ 1980, p. 183.

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The Mount Independence Coalition Courier, Fall, 1996 Vol. 5 No. 3 Editor: Philip Keyes Guest Editor: Donna Martin Contributors: Donna Martin, Audrey Porsche, Louise Ransom, Richard Ketchum Photographs: Bumie Martin Printed by The Printed Word, Inc., Concord, NH

The M.I.C.Courier is the newsletter of the Mount Independence Coalition, and is published for its members three times a year. Your comments, articles and letters are welcome and can be addressed to the editor at: 24 Marble St, Brandon, VT 05733.

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