Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. — ORWELL — Did you know that in 1791, the year Vermont became a state, future presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison visited the Champlain Valley and northern areas of the American Revolution? On Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m., the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell turns on the time machine for the program, “An Investigation into the Revolutionary Mind: What Were You Thinking, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison?”
Modern day historian and site interpreter Paul Andriscin will summon Jefferson, portrayed by Steve Whalen, and Madison, portrayed by Mike Austin, to an interview. In the program Andriscin will ask them about their experiences on their trip, what they remember about the Revolution and Mount Independence, and more. Audience members are welcome to ask their questions at the end.
This series of annual programs has explored Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair and the American withdrawal from the Mount in 1777, the lives of the common soldiers, engineer Col. Jeduthan Baldwin, Col. John Brown and his September 1777 American raid to take back the Mount from the British, and Dr. Jonathan Potts and health care on the Mount.
The event is included in the regular admission fee of $5 for adults and free for children under 15. While there you can visit the museum and walk the trails on the over 300 acre site.
The Mount Independence State Historic Site is one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War sites in America. It is located near the end of Mount Independence Road, six miles west of the intersections of Vermont Routes 22A and 73 near Orwell village; carefully follow the signs. Regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 13.
For more info. visit www.historicsites.vermont.gov.
