Structural Integrity
Raising Funds for the Future
On June 10th , 2023 , VERMONT Magazine was invited to attend a meeting of the Vermont Covered Bridge Society at the Bridge-at-the-Green in West Arlington . Members savored delicious refreshments , shared their passion for the preservation and upkeep of Vermont ’ s covered bridges , held a business meeting to discuss future fundraising efforts , and enjoyed moments of friendly connection . It ’ s been over two decades since VCBS came into existence , and their membership remains actively engaged in furthering the cause like never before . Firmly rooted in the honest values of persistence , hard work , and collaboration that have defined Vermont from its earliest years , they bridge the gap between the Green Mountain State ’ s past , present , and future cultural legacy .
Structural Integrity
Just as many of Vermont ’ s cherished covered bridges were constructed using resilient truss systems , the VCBS was built on a sturdy foundation of hard work and passion . VCBS was originally founded by three devoted covered bridge experts : William McKone , Joseph Nelson , and Ed Barna . As respected authors with extensive knowledge of Vermont ’ s covered bridges , they each felt a profound sense of connection to the bridges and were wholeheartedly invested in their upkeep and maintenance .
In the late 1990s , McKone reached out to Nelson and Barna , and invited them to form an organization to preserve the surviving bridges . The three of them originally banded together to work on saving the Cambridge Junction Bridge in Jeffersonville , Vermont . McKone explains : “ I was concerned that the Cambridge Junction Bridge was about to fall into the Lamoille River . It had been damaged by an overweight truck , and it was sagging down almost four feet .” Joseph Nelson , who currently serves as VCBS ’ President , adds that the urgent need to preserve the bridge played a critical role in catalyzing the formation of VCBS . “ It was the driving force that brought us together .” According to McKone , the number of covered bridges in Vermont had already dropped drastically over the course of the 20th century . In 1900 , there were close to 500 covered bridges in the Green Mountain State , 13 of which were located in the town of Cambridge . Over time , many of the bridges were replaced when motor vehicles became more prevalent . Others fell prey to floods and fires . Only around 100 covered bridges in Vermont have survived to this day , and many have been damaged by drivers of overweight and oversized motor vehicles who have ignored restrictions . “ People need to know how important it is to respect the size and load restrictions if they cross over covered bridges ,” says McKone .
VCBS was officially incorporated in 2000 . Over the years that followed , their membership grew to include people with complementary skillsets , who joined in their mission to protect the historic landmarks . “ We began as observers ,” recalls Nelson . “ We also collaborated with VTrans to raise public awareness about the historical significance of covered bridges .” John Weaver , an engineer specializing in wood engineering and covered bridges , also played a critical role in streamlining their interdisciplinary collaborations . Weaver ’ s expertise and connections allowed the VCBS to develop a direct line of communication with VTrans . As a result , they began reaching out to communities across Vermont where covered bridges were in need of repair . In doing so , they developed an efficient system , which effectively conveyed issues with publicly-owned covered bridges to government agencies . “ The government funds the maintenance of some of Vermont ’ s covered bridges ,” adds Nelson . “ Still , it is our responsibility to keep an eye on them . We observe the bridges , and if we notice any issues , we report them to the appropriate authorities .” By closely monitoring the bridges and promptly reporting any problems , the VCBS helps to ensure that the government-allotted funds are used efficiently and effectively .
Beyond maintaining the safe upkeep of the publicly-owned bridges that are part of Vermont ’ s state road system , the VCBS advocates for the preservation of Vermont ’ s covered bridges on a larger scale . Thanks to the past efforts of former U . S . Senator Jim Jeffords , funds were secured to support towns in their private bridge maintenance endeavors . The funds that Jeffords secured played a critical part in the repair of the Cambridge Junction Bridge in Jeffersonville , which is now open to traffic in the warmer months . VCBS Treasurer , Dan Monger , adds that only a small percentage of Vermont ’ s bridges belong to the state . “ Most bridges are owned by the towns in which they are located .” Many towns face budget constraints , making it challenging for them to anticipate the expenses required to repair the structures . Furthermore , bridges must be situated on main roads or state routes for the state to intervene , which adds to the confusion . “ Our mission has always been to preserve these bridges ,” says Monger . “ We want to offer as much support as we can to towns in need .”
Raising Funds for the Future
In order to address these complex bureaucratic nuances , VCBS recently expanded their fundraising efforts . They founded the Fundraising Committee in 2022 , which now works alongside their Events Committee , generating additional funds to support bridge preservation projects . Recently , the Fundraising and Events Committees have created and sold calendars that feature
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