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Please Visit Some Of The United States’ Most Unique
Museums & Attractions... Here in Vermont.
Page 2 Click Here
Shouldn't You Be In Vermont... Today ?
  
 
The Central Vermont Region is featured as a Historic Travel Itinerary at the National Register of Historical Places. Our community is just the sixth in the nation to be recognized in this way. Central Vermont joins Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Seattle and Kingston, NY as recommended community destinationss for travelers interested in our nation's history and culture.
The Vermont Book Of Days
Your Guide To This Day In Vermont History.
Welcome!
Vermont's Four Seasons are Great.
From the bliss of Vermont's Famous Mud Season, to the beauty of seeing that first flower peek through the snow each Spring. Then to the Summer's Hot Humid Heat. Next it's on to the Spectacle that is Fall Foliage and then to the Frozen Beauty of Winter's Wrath for the next Four To Five months. During any of Vermont's Four Seasons you will always find something to do and you will Love Vermont.
If there is one word that describes Vermont and its inhabitants, it is "independent". Vermonters have retained that independence by fighting off claims to their territory by neighboring states. The heroics of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys kept their neighbors at bay, and by 1777 Vermont had drawn up its own constitution as a free and independent state. Further asserting the independent thinking of the state, Vermont became the first state to outlaw slavery. The Georgia state legislature proclaimed that Vermont was so independent that "the whole state should be made into an island and towed out to sea." And even before the United States declared war on Germany, the Vermont legislature did so itself.
The tradition of independence carries on to the present day, as Vermonters continue to jealously guard every person's right to be free thinkers. Amidst the beautiful scenery of Vermont's hills and valleys, individualism and independence remain strong.
  
Vermont's Current Governor,
Jim Douglas.
Official Statement of the Governor, September, 11, 2007.
Today we pause to recall September 11th, 2001—the most poignant experience of a lifetime for many, and an attack we will never forget.
The work day stopped. We watched with horror and great unease as the day unfolded. We made calls to loved ones far away to check whereabouts and wellness.
Then, in a remarkable display of unity that makes us all proud of our nation, America rallied the familiar, warm embrace of liberty and opportunity—mustering the very virtues the terrorists seek to destroy. All across America—and all across Vermont—people rushed to give blood, give money, and give their time. Others got in their cars or fire trucks or police cruisers and drove to New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC to lend a hand in whatever they could do.
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Vermont will always be profoundly grateful to the men and women who gave their lives that day in heroic efforts to rescue the innocent victims of that attack. It reminds us of the vital work of our first responder community and the importance of preparedness.
We also honor today the men and women of the armed forces whose service, on 9-11 and in the 6 years following, continues to go far and above their normal call to arms.
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September 11th will always be a day of great memorial and reverent reflection. But on this solemn day, we must also recall the blanket of optimism and resolve that calmed and joined us. This is the strength of America and the spirit that commands the preservation of this freedom-loving nation and her people.
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Governor Jim Douglas
Howard Dean, M.D.
Now The Ex-Governor
Seal of the State of Vermont
Dear Internet Visitor,
Welcome to historic Washington County, located in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont. It is the home of Vermont's capital city of Montpelier, the granite capital of the world in Barre, and eighteen other towns of architectural and historic distinction.
When you visit us, you can walk along the streets of Vermont's largest national Register historic district in Montpelier, with over 500 historic buildings. The Vermont State House, a national Historic Landmark, is beautifully restored and visitors are welcomed on tours of the building. The Vermont Historical Society is next door and is a great place to learn about Vermont history.
With the information from this itinerary, take a driving tour along our scenic roads and discover our rich collection of covered bridges (in Warren, Waitsfield, East Montpelier, and Northfield), historic churches, and the well-preserved national Register villages of Waterbury, Waitsfield, Warren, Plainfield, and Barre that richly illustrate local history from the late 1700s to today.
Enjoy our working agricultural landscape, historic farmsteads, and the beautiful Mad River Valley rural historic district in Moretown and Waitsfield that provides a wonderful setting for some of our famous ski resorts. visit Roxbury, the site of the oldest state-operated fish hatchery in Vermont and in continuous operation since 1891.
After your virtual tour of historic Washington County on the Internet, plan to see us in person. On your trip there are many wonderful places to stay, delicious food to eat, and great places to shop. We'd love to have you visit.
Sincerely,
Howard Dean, M.D.
Governor
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 East Montpelier farmland
Photograph by CB Johnson
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The national Park Service's national Register of Historic Places and the Central Vermont chamber of Commerce proudly invite you to discover Central Vermont: Explore history in the Heart of the Green Mountains. Vermont, home to the Abenaki and other Native Americans for 10,000 years, was first explored by Samuel de Champlain in 1609. Settled by Europeans from other New England colonies, admitted to the Union as the 14th state, and established as a agricultural and industrial region, Vermont boasts a history reflecting the broad American experience. This national Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary explores Central Vermont's rich history using 43 historic places that recall past eras when numerous small villages grew slowly until the coming of the railroad resulted in a great period of growth for Vermont in the last half of the 19th century.
Travelers through the itinerary will learn about such fascinating places as the State Capitol, in the Montpelier Historic District, constructed of local granite hauled by ox driven teams. Lumber, Vermont's first major industry, is highlighted by the Old Red Mill and Twing Gristmill. Transportation improvements shaped Central Vermont's history as stagecoach lines and later railroads opened Vermont's products to wider markets. The influence of the 19th-century railroad lines can be viewed at the Central Vermont Rail Depot and Barre's Downtown Historic District, where European immigrants labored in the quarries after the rail lines came to the small town in 1875 and 1888. Vermont's agricultural and farming communities, which saw a historic shift from sheep and grain to dairy cattle and small diversified farming, are explored in the Mad River Valley Historic District and the McLaughlin Farm.
 Skilled immigrant stone cutters displaying their craftsmanship at the Jones Brothers Granite Quarry in Barre
Photograph courtesy of Miranda Burwell |
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Central Vermont: Explore history in the Heart of the Green Mountains offers numerous ways to discover the historic properties that played important roles in both the settlement and development of Washington County and the State of Vermont. Each property features a brief description of the site's significance, color and historic photographs, and public accessibility information. At the bottom of each page, the visitor will also find a navigation bar containing links to essays concerning Washington County's role in Vermont History, Agriculture and Industry, Vermont Landscapes, and Transportation. These essays provide historical background, or "contexts," for many of the sites included in the itinerary. The itinerary can be viewed online, or printed out for use by visitors to Central Vermont.
Created through a partnership between the national Park Service's national Register of Historic Places, the Central Vermont chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, the Vermont Historical Society, the national Conference of State Historic Preservation officers (NCSHPO), and the national Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC), Central Vermont: Explore history in the Heart of the Green Mountains is the second example of a new and exciting cooperative project. As part of the Department of the Interior's strategy to revitalize communities by promoting public awareness of history and encouraging tourists to visit historic places throughout the nation, the national Register of Historic Places is cooperating with communities, regions, and heritage Areas throughout the United States to create online travel itineraries. Using places listed in the national Register of Historic Places, the itineraries help potential visitors plan their next trip by highlighting the amazing diversity of this country's historic places and supplying accessibility information for each featured site. In the Learn More section, the itineraries link to regional and local web sites that provide visitors with further information regarding cultural events, special activities, and lodging and dining possibilities.
Central Vermont is the second of more than 30 communities and regions working directly with the national Register of Historic Places to create travel itineraries. Itineraries for destinations such as the Religious and Civic buildings of Charleston, South Carolina, Iowa's Amana Colonies, and the French and Creole plantations of Southeast Louisiana will debut in the next year, with many, many more to follow.
The national Register of Historic Places and the Central Vermont chamber of Commerce hope you enjoy this virtual travel itinerary of Washington County's historic resources. If you have any comments or questions, please just click on the provided e-mail address, "comments or questions" located at the bottom of each page.
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Vermont
Capital: Montpelier(population of 8,392)
Largest City: Burlington (population of 54,339)
Total Population: 584,771
(1995 estimate, Vermont Health Department)
Area: 9,614 square miles.
The geographic center of Vermont lies in Washington County, three miles east of Roxbury, Vermont.
Statehood: March 4, 1791
The 14th State.
The Name Vermont
Vermont is an English form of the name that French explorer Samuel de Champlain gave to Vermont's Green Mountains on his 1647 map. He called them "Verd Mont" meaning green mountain.
Vermont is considered the most rural of the United States because a large percentage of its residents live in communities of less than 2,500.
Vermont's employment base consists of production of electronic components and equipment, machine tools, specialty products, quarried and finished stone, and printing.
Manufacturing is a major employer, producing a range of goods from computer chips to teddy bears.
Dairying is the primary farm industry in Vermont, producing more than two billion pounds of milk annually.
Vermont is America's largest producer of maple syrup and also produces substantial crops of McIntosh apples, potatoes, eggs, honey, vegetables, Christmas trees, lumber and pulp wood, and greenhouse nursery products.
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The State of Vermont Flag.
Vermont was the fourteenth state to be admitted to the union. It was admitted in 1791. In 1792, Kentucky was admitted to the union. At this time, the United States Flag displayed thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. In 1794, the national Congress changed the official design of the
United States Flag to include fifteen stars and fifteen stripes representative of the two new states of the union.
Proud to be a member of the United States, the first Vermont Flag, a state militia flag, was created in October, 1803. Tennessee and Ohio had been admitted to the union at this time and, perhaps anticipating the national Congress, Vermont's first flag was created with seventeen stripes and seventeen stars in the tradition of the U.S. Flag. The word "VERMONT" was spelled out in upper case letters above the stars and stripes. Fifteen years later in 1817, the national Congress stepped back and authorized the current flag design of thirteen stripes and a star for each state.
Vermont went back to the drawing board and authorized a new design on October 20, 1838. This new design continued to align with that of the U.S. Flag. This new design reduced the number of red and white stripes from seventeen to thirteen. Instead of a star for each state, however, the union contained one large white star on a blue field. Within the confines of the star was displayed the Vermont Coat of Arms. This flag remained as the official state flag until 1919.Eventually Vermonters began to desire a more unique state flag that would not be so easily confused with the flag of the United States when hanging from a pole. As the idea for a change became more prominent, it was found that the flag authorized in 1838, was not ever really used to any extent and that not many were even aware of its existence. The flag carried by Vermont regiments in the Civil War, the Spanish American War and at the outbreak of World War I was a flag that displayed the Vermont State Coat of Arms on a blue field. This design had customarily been carried as the Governor's flag.
And so, in 1919, the third Vermont State Flag was authorized. This third design displayed the Vermont State Coat of Arms on a blue field. This is the Vermont State Flag as we know it today.
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State Motto
"Freedom and Unity"
Great Seal.
Vermont's Great Seal has traveled the full swing of a pendulum. Back in 1778, an artist named Ira Allen designed a seal for the new state. The seal contained some basic symbolic images that represented the state.
These images were not intricately sophisticated, but they did depict the character of Vermont at the time. The design was a circle, bordered on the top and bottom by wavy lines suggesting sky and water. A sheaf
of wheat stands in each quadrant of the circle. A cow, of course, stands as a cow does, and Vermont had its share of cows. The rolling hills and forests of Vermont's landscape are depicted across the center of the circle. A lone pine stands at the top center of the scene. Across the lower half of the circle are the words "Vermont Freedom & Unity". This design was accepted in 1779 by the General Assembly, but in 1821, a more "sophisticated" rendition of the tall pine, the cow, and the landscape came into favor. However, in 1937, Vermont decided that the original design was more in keeping with the state's image, and the current
seal is now a faithful reproduction of Ira Allen's original design.
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Nickname
The Green Mountain State.
The Green Mountain State: This well-known nickname for the state of Vermont is in reference to the Green Mountains named by Samuel de Champlain in 1647.
Currently, this nickname is displayed on Vermont license plates as seen on the 1997 plate to the right. Earlier plates pleaded"See Vermont" or simply stated "Green Mountains."
The Citizens Of Vermont.
People who live in Vermont or who come from Vermont are called Vermonters.
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The Quarter
Issue Date 2007.
In a state known for its maple syrup, its maple sugar, and its excellent skiing, is it any wonder that these would be represented on the state quarter? Vermont chose to highlight these most important industries by depicting a man tending his sap buckets with Camel's Hump Mountain in the background. Camel's Hump, one of the highest mountains in the Green Mountain State, is so named because of its two "humps" reminiscent of the Bactrian Camel of Turkestan and Mongolia... a long way from Vermont! The design also offers the Vermont State Motto "Freedom and Unity" and the year Vermont entered the Union; 1791. Vermont was the first state admitted to the Union after the original 13 colonies.
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State Beverage
Milk.
No.22of the Acts of 1983,effective April 22, 1983,designated milk as the
official State Beverage. In a state where cows once outnumbered people,
milk production in the Green Mountain state remains the leading
agricultural enterprise, the total value of production having reached
$307.9 million in 1980 - four and a half times that of 1950. Although the
number of milk cows in Vermont has generally declined in this century, improved breeding and feeding techniques have allowed milk production
per cow to more than double in the last thirty years alone, making the 1980s the highest total production years on record, averaging 2.3 billion pounds of milk per year. Besides being highly regardedas a naturally
nutritious beverage,the wholesomeness of milk itself reflects some of the appealing qualities of rural life. The rolling pastures of Vermont's
dairy farms and hillside fields dotted with cows are sights that delight Vermonters and visitors alike and help sustain the beauty of Vermont's countryside.
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State Flower
The Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).
Adoption of the Vermont State Flower Inspired by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and its National Garland of Flowers, Vermonters were determined to adopt an official state floral emblem that would uniquely represent their state.
One of the earliest states to adopt a state flower, Vermonters campaigned hard for their favorites. The daisy, trailing arbutus, the posy, mayflower, the buttercup, and red clover were among the flowers preferred by citizens of the state.
When all the votes were counted, the red clover won the day with 9,575 votes, a resounding statement from the state's farmers. The daisy followed with 2,569 votes and the buttercup garnered third place with 945 votes.
The red clover (Trifolium pratense.) was adopted as the state flower by the Thirteenth Biennial Session of the General Assembly on November 9, 1894, effective February 1, 1895.
From the Vermont Secretary of State:
No. 159 of the Acts of 1894, effective February 1, 1895, designated the Red Clover as the official State Flower. Both an integral part of many a cultivated hay field and a common sight along numerous Vermont roadsides, the Red Clover is symbolic of Vermont's scenic countryside generally and of its dairy farms in particular. Oddly enough, however, Trifolium pratense is not a native of Vermont but was "naturalized" from Europe.
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual,Biennial Session,1993-1994,p.15.
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State Gemstone
The Grossular Garnet.
Grossular garnet, the State Gem, is technicallya mineral -- a silicate, which is colored browndue to the presence of iron. Grossular garnet
from the Belvidere Mine at Eden Mills is thought to be the finest specimen of its kind anywhere.
from Office of the Secretary of State,
Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session,
1993-1994, p. 25.
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State Mineral
Talc.
Talc, the State Mineral, is metamorphic in origin, formed in thin slivers of ocean crust left here after the continents collided. Generally found in southwestern Vermont, it is green in color and very soft. In 1990, Vermont rankedsecond only to California among the states which produce
talc. Ground talc is used in plastics, paper, rubber and paint.
from Office of the Secretary of State,Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session,1993-1994, p. 25.
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State Stone
Granite.
Vermont's complex geology has led to the development of a diverse and economically healthy minerals industry which began in Vermont over 200 years ago. Because three of Vermont's rocks are equally important to the state's economy, all three - granite, marble and slate - were formally recognized as State Rocks by Act No. 221 of 1992. Granite is an igneous rock found along the entire length of the eastern part of the state. It is mainly composed of feldspar, quartz and mica. The granite from Barre is
world-famous, and the Westmore-Morse Quarry in Barre is the world's largest monumental granite quarry. Vermont granite is exported to many states and countries for use as building stone and is prominent in the Vermont State Capitol.
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont
Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 23.
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State Stone
Marble.
Vermont's complex geology has led to the development of a diverse and economically healthy minerals industry which began in Vermont over 200 years ago. Because three of Vermont's rocks are equally important to the state's economy,all three - granite,marble and slate - were formally recognized as StateRocks by Act No. 221 of 1992. Marble, a metamorphic
rock composed of the mineral calcite, can generallybe found in southwestern Vermont. Themarble quarry in Danby is the world's largest
underground quarry,covering twenty acres. Vermont marble ranges in color from pure white to black. It has been used in building Radio City Music Hall, the National Art Gallery, the Jefferson Memorial and the Vermont State Capitol.
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative
Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session,1993-1994, p. 23.
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State Stone
Slate.
Vermont's complex geology has led to the development of adiverse and economically healthy minerals industrywhich began in Vermont over 200 years ago. Becausethree of Vermont'srocks are equally important to the state's economy, all three - granite, marble and slate - were formally recognized as State Rocks by Act No. 221 of 1992. Slate is a metamorphic rock foundin southwestern Vermont. It is formed by the compaction and heating of clay, silt or mud. Vermont slate varies incolor from red, green,black and purple. Because it splits into thin slabs,slate is used for roofing shingles,sidewalks and floor tiles.
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative
Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session,
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State Soil
The Tunbridge Soil Series.
No. 9 of the Acts of 1985, effective March 27, 1985, designated the
Tunbridge Soil Series as the official State Soil. The Tunbridge series (course-loamy, mixed, frigid Typic Haplothrod) consists of moderately deep to bedrock, well drained soils. It was selected from among more
than 160 different soil series in the state. As it is a typical "hill farm" and "sugarbush" soil, the Tunbridge series well represents the soil resources of Vermont. A soil formed in loamy glacial till, it has good potential for agriculture and forestry. As Professor Richmond Bartlett of UVM says, "It's the soil that makes Vermont hills greener than those either in New Hampshire or New York."
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session,
1993-1994, p. 16.
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State Song,
These Green Mountains,
By
Diane Martin - Composer
Rita Buglass - Arranger.
These green hills and silver waters
are my home. They belong to me.
And to all of her sons and daughters
May they be strong and forever free.
Let us live to protect her beauty
And look with pride on the golden dome
They say home is where the heart is
These green mountains are my home.
These green mountains are my home.
Adoption of the State Song
In 1998, the Vermont General Assembly adopted a resolution that directed the Vermont Arts Council to appoint a three-person panel for the purposes of recommending a new state song. The resolution indicated that it was time for Vermont to adopt a new and "more singable" state song than that which had been adopted in 1938; "Hail, Vermont".
The panel was established and the Vermont State Song Competition was on. 107 entries were received. The panel had the arduous task of reviewing them all and narrowing the field to eight finalists. These eight songs were played on Vermont Public Radio and Vermont Public Television stations. They were also posted on the Vermont Art Council's web site. All Vermonters were urged to express their opinions regarding the eight finalists until the end of the review period on July 15, 1999. Calls poured in and the Vermont Arts Council's web site was busy.
Among the finalists were Carol Abair's "My Home Is Vermont" and Meg Irish's "This Is Vermont, My Home" and Diane Martin and Rita Buglass' "These Green Mountains".
When the votes were tallied, Diane Martin and Rita Buglass came away with the top prize and the Vermont Legislature went to work.
Representatives Osman and Alfano introduced a bill to name "These Green Mountains" Vermont's new official state song. It was read in the Vermont House of Representatives for the first time on January 4, 2000.
On April 24, 2000, the Vermont Legislature adopted "These Green Mountains" as the new official state song. On May 5, 2000 Governor Howard B. Dean, M.D. signed the legislation.
A ceremonial signing took place on May 22, 2000, at Twinfield Union School. Led by Diane Martin, with Rita on the piano and bolstered by dozens of eager young Vermont voices, Governor Dean enthusiastically joined in the first "official" singing of "These Green Mountains."
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State Flavor
Maple.
§510. State flavor The state flavor shall be maple from the Vermont sugar
maple tree. (Added 1993, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
Vermont is the only state that has passed an official State Flavor into law. As the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States it is no wonder that maple was the flavor that was chosen. Though maple syrup comes to mind immediately when one thinks of maple flavor, maple flavor is found in many other foods from ice-cream to cheese to smoked turkey.
Vermont is naturally very protective of its official State Flavor and so has designated, by law, specific guidelines that must be followed when labeling maple flavored products.
(d) The term "maple flavored" may only be used when 100 percent of the flavoring material is a pure maple product. If any artificial maple flavor is used, the label shall clearly and conspicuously state "artificial flavor."
(Added 1981, No. 235 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1985,No. 241 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
from the Vermont Department of Agriculture and the Vermont Revised Statutes, 1999
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State Tree
The Sugar Maple.
The Sugar Maple, or Acer saccarum as it is known scientifically, is Vermont's state tree. It's wood is excellent for furniture and
it produces maple syrup. A single tree is 70-120 feet high and produces two to three pounds of sugar when "sugared-off." It has a five-lobed
leaf and a small wing-shapedseed pod.In the fall the leaves turn bright yellow.
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State Fruit
The Apple.
No. 15 of the Acts of 1999, effective May 10, 1999, designated the apple as the official State Fruit.
Vermont's commerical apple orchards produce over $14 million worth of apples, d keep about 5,000 acres in agriculture. Almost 70 percent of the annual 1 million bushel crop is the McIntosh variety, and 80 percent of Vermont apples are sold outside the state - up to 20 percent in Europe.
Virtually all of Vermont's apple growers are involved with integrated pest management (IPM) geared toward reducing pesticide use.
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State Pie
Apple Pie.
No. 15 of the Acts of 1999, effective May 10, 1999, designated the apple pie as the official State Pie. When serving apple pie in Vermont, a "good faith" effort shall be made to meet one or more of the following conditions: (a) with a glass of cold milk, (b) with a slice of cheddar cheese weighing a minimum of 1/2 ounce, (c) with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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State Fossil
The white whale (Delphinapterus leucas).
The white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) was designated the state fossil by Act No. 66 (1993). It is a toothed whale recognized by its brilliant white to grey-white color, prominent forehead knob or "melon", and lack of a dorsal fin. The Charlotte whale was uncovered during construction of the first railroad between Rutland and Burlington in 1849. This specimen dates from approximately 12,500 years ago when the Atlantic Ocean flooded the Champlain Basin, which was depressed below sea level by huge glacial ice sheets, inundating it with marine waters. For 2500 years following that, this region existed as an arm of the Atlantic Ocean known as the Champlain Sea. This particular whale contains the most complete post-cranial remains of the Champlain specimens yet found.
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State Animal
The Morgan Horse.
No. 42 of the acts of 1961, effective March 23, 1961, designated the Morgan Horse as the official State Animal. The forebear of all Morgan horses was a rugged little stallion which belonged to Justin Morgan of Randolph, a late-18th-century teacher of singing and penmanship and
a composer of some renown. From this exceptional horse sprang a new breed which traditionally could outdraw, outrun, and outtrot" any other horse. By the mid-1800's, the Morgan horse had proven its many virtues throughout the expanding nation. Today, the Morgan breed, still
bearingthe unique traits of its Vermont sire,is one of the favorite saddle, family and endurance breeds in America
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State Bird
The Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla gutta pallasi).
As in so many states, the Vermont Federated Women's Clubs played a part in the adoption of the Vermont state bird. They adopted, in 1927, the hermit thrush (Hylocichla gutta pallasi) as their state bird.
It was not so easy for the hermit thrush to gain status as the official state bird of Vermont. According to the Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994:
"Among other things, it was not considered a true Vermonter because, unlike the blue jay or crow (which were favored by some legislators), the Hermit Thrush leaves Vermont during the winter in its southward migration. The record is not clear, but this bird was selected to represent Vermont, among other things, because it has a distinctive sweet call,
and because it is found in all of Vermont's 14 counties."
The hermit thrush was adopted as the official state bird of Vermont by an act of the Legislature in 1941, effective June 1, 1941.
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State Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus).
The Monarch butterfly is known by scientists as Danaus plexippus, which in Greek literally means "sleepy transformation." The name, which evokes the species' ability to hibernateand metamorphize, is actually inspired by the Greek myth of Danaus,in which the daughters of Danaus, king of Libya, flee Libya for Greece in order to avoid marrying their cousins.The long, migratory journey of the Monarch butterflies is reminiscent of the
daughters' flight. Adult Monarchs possess two pair of brilliant orange-reddish wings,featuring black veins and white spots along the edges.
Their wingspan is about four inches, and they weigh less than half an ounce. Males, who possess distinguishing black dot (stigmata) along the veins of their wings, are slightly bigger than the females.
Each adult butterfly lives only about four to five weeks. But one of the many wonders of the Monarchs is the annual creation of a unique "Methuselah generation." As autumn approaches in their sites of migratory origin, a very special generation of butterflies is born. Unlike their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents -- all of whom had ephemeral lives measured only in weeks -- these migratory butterflies survive seven or eight months. In human
terms, given our average life span of 75 years, this would be like having children who lived to be 525 years old!
This generation performs the incredible feat of flying from Canada and the United States to the center of Mexico -- after which they begin the northward journey again. Once they reach the United States, a kind of relay race begins: their short-lived offspring, with only four or five weeks to live, continue making the trek northward over several generations.
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State Insect
The HoneyBee.
No. 124 of the Acts of 1978, effective July 1, 1978, designated the Honeybee as the official State Insect. This "social" insect, which grows and lives in highly organized colonies, is important to Vermont farmers and orchardists by being a principal pollinator of certain of their crops. But it is best known, of course, for the pleasant-tasting and healthful honey which it produces. Though they represent a relatively small part of the state's agricultural economy, Vermont beekeepers generally produce several hundred thousand pounds of honey each year.
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative
Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 17.
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State Amphibian
The Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens).
In the summer of 1996, the Vermont Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) received reports of abnormal frogs from twelve
different locations within the Lake Champlain Basin. Moved to action by these reports, the Vermont DEC surveyed four of the sites. Abnormalities were discovered at all of the sites and all of the abnormalities were found in that year's hatch of Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens). Of 240 frogs collected, a little over 13% suffered from obvious problems such as missing or stunted limbs.
More research was prompted and, in 1997, the Vermont DEC joined with the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the United States Geological Survey's Biological Resource Department (USGS-BRD) and Middlebury College to target further studies of the Northern Leopard Frog in Vermont. During a 1997 survey of over 2,500 frogs, about 8% displayed some abnormalities not caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. The abnormalities were mostly missing or stunted hind legs and toes.
These studies appear to have prompted the Vermont Legislature to afford special recognition of the Northern Leopard Frog as the official state amphibian of Vermont. Citing this frog's value to the state, Senate Bill No. 241, sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Ready, states,
"A healthy northern leopard frog population is desirable in Vermont, and is threatened by loss of habitat and deformities that may be related to changes in the environment. Environmental problems that affect frogs could be a warning about further impacts upon other species, including humans. The colors of the northern leopard frog represent the beauty of our state during all seasons. Ponds are an attractive part of Vermont's landscape and the northern leopard frog helps control the number of insects and pests in our state's ponds. It also helps keep Vermont's
pristine wetlands clean by eating algae. For all of these reasons, the general assembly finds it appropriate to designate the northern leopard frog as the state amphibian."
Introduced on January 6, 1998, Senate Bill No. 241, designating the
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) the official state amphibian of
Vermont was approved by the Senate on January 27, 1998 and by the
House of Representatives on April 9, 1998. Governor Howard Dean signed the legislation on April 21, 1998 with an effective date of July 1, 1998.
The Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens is common throughout the northern
United States and Canada. A medium-sized frog growing to be 3 1/2 nches
long, the attractive Leopard Frog can be found throughout Vermont. Rana
pipiens is green to brown or both and it's quite obvious where its name
comes from. They are covered with roughly circular dark spots like those
of a leopard. These spots are surrounded with a narrow light-colored border.
Two most noticeable light colored lines extend from over each eye to the hind legs of the frog. These are lines of raised skin called "dorsolateral folds". Their bellies are colored a creamy white.
Northern Leopard Frogs may be found in various wet habitats, like
marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, or streams. In the summer, they may roam
a little further afield, venturing into fields or pastures in search of their
favorite meals. Because of this, they are sometimes referred toas Meadow Frogs.
Like their larger cousins, honored in Oklahoma, Northern Leopard Frogs
are opportunistic feeders. That is, they sit and wait to eat almost
anything moving that will fit into their mouths. Most of their diet consists
ofinsects although they will eat worms, snails and slugs and even smaller frogs. Northern Leopard Frogs may occasionally eat voles andbirds and researchers have found garter snakes in the stomachs of large frogs.
While Northern Leopard Frogs are widely spread, they are suffering from maladies as mentioned above and their numbers are declining, for various reasons, across the country. In Canada, the species has been defined as endangered. Scientists have noted that their lifespan has declined to about two years from three to four years. There is cause for concern.
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State Cold Water Fish
The Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis).
Adoption of the Vermont State Fish Joint Resolution R-91 of the Acts of 1978, effective on May 3, 1978, designated not one but two State Fishes: the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as the cold water fish, and the Walleye Pike (Stizosedion vitreum vitreum) as the warm water fish.
Both are handsome, sporty and tasty game fish. The Brook Trout is the
state's only trout native to its streams. Its mature weight varies considerably, depending on habitat in both cold brooks and ponds, but
generally averages under a pound. The biggest Brook Trout caught in
Vermont since official records began in 1969 weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. The Walleye Pike, found in many Vermont lakes, takes its name from its unusual "marble" eyes which in certain light look very light or transparent. Its mature weight is four to eight pounds and the biggest one caught since 1969 weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz.
from Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative
Directory and State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 18.
The brook trout can be recognized by the wavy lines, or vermiculations,
on its dark, olive-green back (the same pattern created when the sun
shines through rippled water to cast shadows on the bottom. The result
is a camouflage enabling the brook trout toavoid predators from above
such as kingfishers and herons.
The brook trout also typically has many pale yellow spots and a few small red spots surrounded by blue halos on their sides. They've also been described as the only trout with light spots against a dark background, as the brown and rainbow trout have the opposite spotting pattern (dark spots on a paler background).
The brook trout's pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are starkly edged in white, which again is unique among other common trout. The white is the main giveaway. Even when the brook is motionless, the white-edged fins will call your attention to the fish. The highly visible, white-edged fins are a definite disadvantage when it comes to the brook's predators.
Another characteristic is a relatively large head and mouth, and the head
may amount to one quarter of the body length on adult fish.
During their fall spawning period, the lower flanks of males become
brilliant orange and older males may develop a slightly hooked lower jaw.
If you are still in doubt after checking all the previous characteristics,
feel along the center of the mouth's roof with your fingertip. The vomerine
bone has teeth in a small cluster at its forward end. If you find teeth
all along the roof of the mouth, you didn't catch a "brookie".
Because the brook trout is deep bodied in proportion to it's length, it can
swim efficiently in water as shallow as their body depth. Their
maneuverability is an asset in capturing a wide variety of foods in waters
of all depths. The powerful, long run of a large rainbow or brown when first
hooked is almost always absent with large brook trout, which tend to a
bull-dog tugging and twisting fight near the bottom. Such a fight is part
of their nature, determined in turn largely by their shape.
Brook trout prefer cold, clear streams and are the most cold tolerant of all
common trout.
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State Warm Water Fish
The Walleye Pike (Stizosedion Vitreum Vitreum).
The Walleye Pike (Stizosedion vitreum vitreum) Adopted on May 3, 1978.
Vermont boasts the most unusual walleye designation. When students campaigned for the adoption of the brook trout, the State Fish and Game Commission wanted to add the walleye because it inhabits Vermont's largest lake, Lake Champlain, which is relatively warm.
In a compromise, the brook trout was named the official cold water fish, the walleye the state warm water fish on May 3, 1978.
Joint Resolution R-91 of the Acts of 1978, effective on May 3, 1978, designated not one but two State Fishes: the Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as the cold water fish, and the Walleye Pike (Stizosedion vitreum vitreum) as the warm water fish. Both are handsome, sporty and tasty game fish. The Brook Trout is the state's only trout native to its streams. Its mature weight varies considerably, depending on habitat in
both cold brooks and ponds, but generally averages under a pound. The biggest Brook Trout caught in Vermont since official records began in 1969 weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. The Walleye Pike, found in many Vermont lakes, takes its name from its unusual "marble" eyes which in certain light look very light or transparent. Its mature weight is four to eight
pounds and the biggest one caught since 1969 weighed 12 lbs. 8 oz.
The walleye is the largest member of the perch family. It can grow to lengths of over 2 feet. The walleye's body shape is elongate, streamlined, and slightly compressed. The color of this fish is variable. It is generally brownish yellow to grayish yellow on the back and sides, shading to white on the belly. Young walleyes show vague saddle-shaped bands on the body. Walleyes differ from yellow perch in that they possess large
canine-like jaw teeth.
Common Names: Walleyed Pike, Pickerel, Jackfish, Doré
Walleye: given because of the smoky, silvery eye, which is said to be similar to that of blinded or "walleyed" domestic animals
Stizostedion (steezo-stead´-eeon) means "pungent throat", according to the namer
vitreum (vit´-tree-um) means "glassy", alluding to the nature of the large, silvery eyes
Identifying Features: Walleye have a milky cast to their eyes. They have a long, round, olive body that has gold flecks on the sides with a white tip to the lower fork of the tail. There is a distinct black blotch on the rear end of the first dorsal fin.
Typical Adult:
Length: Up to 30 inches
Weight: Up to 10 pounds
Life span: Up to 26 years
Habitat: Walleye are most numerous in large, cool, windswept lakes with low to moderate clarity. They also live in large rivers. The preferred water temperature is 65-75 °F.
Feeding Behavior: Walleye most prefer other fish, but also eat aquatic insects, leeches, crayfish, snails, and larval salamanders. They normally feed in dim light.
Reproductive Behavior (Spawning):
When: Walleye spawn in April and early-May Preferred Water Temperature: Water temperatures in the shallows reach 4-7° C (40-45° F)
How: Walleye migrate from large lakes and rivers into small streams
where they look for shallow gravel beds or areas of flooded vegetation. In lakes without good inlet streams, they move into shallow, rocky areas near shore. Walleye normally spawn during the night hours in about 0.3-1.5 m (1-5 ft) of water. Walleye are broadcast spawners, which means they swim above the spawning substrate (bottom material) and release their eggs and sperm into the water. Females release 200-300 eggs at a time, while one or more males fertilize them. This spawning act is repeated at roughly 5-minute intervals. A female may release all her eggs in a single night or may spawn over a period of several nights. Most males spawn for several nights. The fertilized eggs fall to the bottom, where they stick to the gravel or other bottom material. The parents give no care to the developing eggs (embryos actually) or the larvae that hatch from them. The embryos hatch in about 1-3 weeks, depending on the water temperature. In lakes, the larval walleye soon move into the deep, open water, where they develop into juveniles at about 25-30 mm. At this size they often return to the near shore areas of the lake, a movement pattern similar to the yellow perch
From Office of the Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and
State Manual, Biennial Session, 1993-1994, p. 18.
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The Vermont's Valentine's Day Storm of 2007
is one for the record books.
February 14th, 2007 set some records for snowfall amounts in Vermont. After an almost snowless start to the winter, a classic Nor'easter hit the state on the morning of the 14th and continued throughout the day and into the night.
Some ski areas, notably, Bolton Valley, reported more than three feet of snow. Stowe Mountain Resort issued an avalanche warning for backcountry skiers venturing onto undeveloped terrain on Mount Mansfield, one of the first in its history. The Mad River Glen marketing department was on the verge of running out of superlatives in describing
the conditions: "Conditions have improved to well beyond epic and are nearing mythic proportions. To make matters even better there is more snow predicted over the next few days and if that happens I may run out of superlatives (but will probably come up with something)."
Parker Riehle, president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association said the
state had not experiencedsuch an "epic" storm since 1993.
Amtracks rail service to Vermont was cancelled. Around mid-day, Vermont Emergency Management officials advised Vermonters to stay off all roads for the duration of the storm. By late afternoon all commercial trucks were ordered off highways. The Vermont State Police activated all the members of its criminal division to assist its patrol division. This action resulted in an extra 40 troopers on the highways to help with stranded motorists and accidents.
Valentine's Day Storm got a Blizzard Rating.
What also made the storm special was it's blizzard rating. Blizzards don't usually hit Vermont. A blizzard, according to meterologists, requires that the sustained winds in a snow storm hit 35 mph or more. That condition got met. Vermonters are used to snow storms and with several days warning, travellers headed advise to stay off the roads. The snow was light and fluffy and there were no major power outages. No fatalities were reported and no serious accidents. A snowmobiler reported missing on the day of the storm in Woodford was found unharmed. Neal Jensen of Egremount, Massaschussetts had become separated from his two companions while out snowmobiling during the storm. There were some casualties on Vermont farms, though. The Vermont Department of Agriculture says at least 20 cows were killed by collapsing barn roofs.
The State government workers had the day off and weren't required to report back for work until noon the following day. Most schools were closed for two days. About the only official body that was opened for business on the day following the storm was The Vermont Legislature, which held a scheduled joint session.
Here are some Storm Totals from around the State.
Cambridge.............36"
Bethel................30
Burlington............25.7" This is the greatest amount of snow in 24 hrs on Burlington records
(started in 1883);
the 2nd greatest snowstorm (#1 Dec 1969 29.8")
Brattleboro............16"
Monkton...............31"
Montpelier............30"
Waterbury Center......30"
Eden..................30"
Killington............30"
Richford..............30"
Vermonters report in on the storm.
"On the North Ridge here in Sutton, Vermont we had a total accumulation of 34 inches. Snowy blowy conditions made it necesary to stay home so the snow equipment could keep roads cleared. Haven't seen the storm of this magnitude for about 5-6 years." Colleen Belanger, Sutton, VT.
Do You Have A Reliable Snowfall Tally
For Your Vermont community?
If so, we will list it here.
Please E-Mail us your info.
Then Finnally
Winter's Last Blast.
Every so often, the temperature and humidity combine in a winter storm
to leave the Vermont landscape covered in ice crystals or crusty snow that sticks to everything in sight. Such was the case on the night of March 25th, 2007 when a fast moving snow storm dumped 2-3" across the state. The storm was gone by morning, leaving the rising sun to melt the snow from the snow from trees and branches.
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