Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 10-11—
September is Archaeology Month in Vermont, and activities continue throughout Vermont towns.
Archaeology Day at the Montshire Museum will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. How did Vermonters live in the past? What tools did they use and how did they make them? What was going on in the Upper Connecticut River Valley during the last 13,000 years? Find out at Archaeology Day. Montshire Museum of Science is located at 1 Montshire Road, Norwich. The program is free with museum admission.
Also on Sept. 10, join a hiking program, “Exploring Archaeology Along the Appalachian Trail” in Pomfret from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Green Mountain Club’s Dave Hardy and retired U.S. Forest Service archaeologist Dave Lacy will lead an interpretive hike (moderate difficulty) along a two-mile stretch of the A.T. where it passes by at least three 18th- and 19th-century archaeological sites. Examine and explore the visible remains, talk about the sites and how to “read” the remains. Bring appropriate footwear, water, and a bag lunch. Children are welcome with an adult. Dogs must be leashed. Meet at Billings Farm overflow parking lot before 10:30 a.m. to carpool to the trailhead in South Pomfret. For info on this free hike, contact 802-747-6719 or timothywatkins@fs.fed.us.
On the other side of the mountain is the Strong Ground 5K Walk at Mount Independence State Historic Site on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mount Independence Trail system by participating in this 5K. On-site registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The walk starts at 10:30 a.m. $20 includes a commemorative t-shirt, admission to “Soldiers Atop the Mount” and a “Revolutionary” lunch. Pre-registration is suggested at 802-948-2000.
In conjunction with the 5K walk at Mount Independence is “Soldiers Atop the Mount” from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Step back to 1776 as re-enactors take over the Mount, honoring the 240th anniversary of the start of American construction of this major defense and the military road. See demonstrations of Revolutionary War camp life, military tactics, colonial crafts and skills, and firing artillery. Saturday includes the 5K walk, interactive “walkabout” on trails and grounds, and cooking demonstration and tasting. There will be activities for children. On Sunday, hear the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence and view the unveiling of a new military road sign. Admission is $6 for adults, free for children under 15.
Mount Independence State Historic Site is located at 497 Mount Independence Road, Orwell.