May 29 through October 11, daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through October 11

New Exhibits:

Wildflowers of Mount Independence – Corinth artist Lois Jackson’s exquisite botanical paintings shine the spotlight on the wildflowers of Mount Independence.   

May 29

Early Bird Nature Walk – Start off the 2004 season with bird expert Sue Wetmore, who leads a walk to identify and learn about the birds of spring on Mount Independence.  Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.  7:00 a.m.

May 30

Rug Hooking Demonstration – Judi Brownell of Blue Cottage in Castleton will show her hooked rug wall hangings inspired by Mount Independence, the Revolution, and historic events.  She will demonstrate the craft of rug hooking and give you a chance to try it out.  11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

June 12

What They Carried and Why: A Soldier’s Kit in the Revolution -- Historian Paul Andriscin’s slide program and “show and tell” focuses on the life of ordinary soldiers during the Revolution’s Northern Campaign, what they needed to carry, and why.  2:00 p.m.    

June 13

Bluebird House Workshop -- Bluebird expert Bruce Brown discusses bluebirds and their habitats, and shows you how to make your very own bluebird house.  Small materials fee.  Co-sponsored by Vermont State Parks.  2:00 p.m.

June 19

Observing Your Natural Environment through Keeping a Plant Journal— Botanical artist Lois Jackson leads a workshop on how to observe nature and keep a plant journal.  Perfect for those who say they can’t draw a straight line.  Register in advance; space is limited.  Rain or shine.  $30 fee includes materials and admission.  10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

June 20

DAR, SAR, and C.A.R. Day  -- Representatives of the Daughters, Sons, and Children of the American Revolution will be on hand to talk about their organizations and what they do.  Members are invited to get acquainted with the Mount.  10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

July 3 – September 4

Saturday Afternoon Hikes into History-- Join experienced trail guides on walks into our Revolutionary past.   Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather.  1:00 p.m. every Saturday 

July 9

Music on the Mount – The concert series is back for the fourth year!  Singer Phyllis Hasty has performed her fusion of torch, blues, and jazz internationally.  Known for her smart sophisticated sound, she sings favorites from World War II, Cole Porter, and more.  Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic supper to enjoy before the concert.  Rain or shine.  7:00 p.m. 

July 16

Music on the Mount -- Children’s choirs from Essex Junction, Vermont, and Paris, France, will be performing. Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic supper to enjoy before the concert.   Rain or shine.  7:00 p.m.

July 24 & 25

Soldiers Atop the Mount -- This living history weekend honors the American, British, and German troops who built and occupied Mount Independence in 1776-77.  Reenactors dedicated to history and authenticity demonstrate military tactics, camp life, colonial crafts, cooking, and clothing.  Dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, pig roast, and talk, “David Rusco: A Revolutionary War Soldier and His Powder Horn,” by historian Elsa Gilbertson on Saturday afternoon.  Sunday at 2:30 p.m. historian Donald Wickman will give a talk, “Not All War is Hell.”  Call for details.  9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

July 24

Music on the Mount – Cathie Ryan, whom The New York Daily News recently called "firmly in the upper echelons of Irish music singers," will present a stirring program of Irish music, from the deepest strains of Irish tradition to the cutting edge of the contemporary songwriter movement.  Bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper to enjoy before the concert.  Rain or shine.  7:00 p.m.

July 30

Music on the Mount  -- Daybreak, a Nashville-based acoustic quartet, blends the sounds of Appalachia and Celtic traditions into their carefully nurtured compositions.  They have performed to sell-out audiences all over North America.  Bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper to enjoy before the concert.  Rain or shine.  7:00 p.m.

August 8

Col. Isaac Barre, Lord Shelburne, and America -- University of Vermont history professor emeritus Neil Stout will discuss two important British personages and the role they played in the shaping of America, as well as why two Vermont towns were named after them.  2:00 p.m.

August 15

Observing Your Natural Environment through Keeping a Plant Journal— Botanical artist Lois Jackson leads a workshop on how to observe nature and keep a plant journal.  Perfect for those who say they can’t draw a straight line.  Register in advance; space is limited.  Rain or shine.  $30 fee includes materials and admission.  10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

August 22

Eat Your Vegetables: Garrison Gardens at Mount Independence and Fort Ticonderoga –

Fort Ticonderoga’s curator of landscape, Katie Elzer, will present two programs on garrison vegetable gardens.  Children are invited at 1:00 p.m. to learn why soldiers planted vegetable gardens and how their plants grew.  At 2:00 p.m. Katie will discuss first-hand accounts of soldiers tending the gardens, techniques they used, and what they planted.  1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

September 11

Major Isaac Butterfield and His Surrender at the Cedars, 1776 -- This American fort outside Montreal was surrendered to the British in May 1776, to the dismay of American leaders.  Some of these soldiers were garrisoned later that year at Mount Independence.  Charles Butterfield’s lecture explores both sides of this scandalous story.   2:00 p.m. 

September 12

Insects of the Mount -- Experts from the Vermont Entomological Society lead a walk to discover some of the Mount’s smallest residents—crawling, flying, and hopping insects!  Learn about dragonflies and other bugs, their habits and habitats, and what they like to eat.  Maybe even find a rare species.  Rain or shine.  Dress for the weather and wear good shoes.  1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

September 25

Kid’s Archeology Day -- Children are invited to learn about archeology and what it can tell us about our Revolutionary past.  Archaeologists from the University of Maine at Farmington will show participants modern techniques for research and archaeological mapping.  Vermont Archeology Month program and Vermont State Chamber of Commerce Top Picks for Kids.  11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

October 1

General John Burgoyne—Live! -- English actor-playwright Howard Burnham is back by popular demand to offer his theatrical interpretation of the British experience during the Revolutionary War’s northern campaign.  Call for details and location.  7:00 p.m. 

October 16

A Hard Founding Father to Love: Ira Allen of Vermont – Vermont Historical Society director Kevin Graffignino, a noted historian and author, talks about Ira Allen, his work as a New Hampshire grants land surveyor and speculator, his role in establishing and defending independent Vermont during the Revolution, and the many other entrepreneurial and revolutionary activities.  1:00 p.m. 

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