Photo by Lorianna Weathers Photography
Bennington
When New Hampshire ’ s Royal Governor Benning Wentworth decided in 1749 to claim a block of territory 20 miles east of the Hudson River , he laid out a town , named it after his mother – and himself – and sold plots to his friends . No one settled there until 1760 – and the rest is history . First , Bennington became the political nerve center for resistance to land claims by the State of New York ( enter Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys ). Then the stunning Patriot victory over British and Hessian troops at the Battle of Bennington on August 16 , 1777 , dealt the invading Crown forces a blow from which they would never recover . The Bennington Battle Monument ( 306 feet tall ) was built on the site of the Continental storehouse that had been the object of the British attack . With more than 50,000 annual visitors , it is Vermont ’ s most visited historic site ; an elevator goes up 200 feet to an observation deck .
In the 19th century Bennington emerged as an important and innovative industrial center , a heritage it still proudly continues . Timber frames , carbon composite airplane components , snowshoes , craft beer and spirits , and famous Bennington pottery are among the many products manufactured here . The leading employer in the 21st century is the Southwest Vermont Medical Center , a highly rated comprehensive care facility affiliated with Dartmouth-Hitchcock .
The town is also known for its vibrant arts scene . A lively year-round calendar of events , exhibits , and festivals ensures that there is always something going on . Located right downtown is Oldcastle Theatre Company , one of the longest running professional theatre companies in America . The Vermont Arts Exchange presents concerts and dances , while at Bennington College many performances and presentations are open to the public without charge . The Bennington Museum ’ s eclectic holdings run from colonial furniture to American Modernism , with inspired special exhibits and the largest collection anywhere of paintings by Grandma Moses . The Old First Church in Old Bennington draws thousands of visitors each year , above all during foliage season , and the path to Robert Frost ’ s grave behind the church is well worn by admirers of the poet . And if you like covered bridges Bennington has three of them . Scoot right through them ( one car at a time , please ) on the way to North Bennington .
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