Saturday, July 30 at 2 p.m.—ORWELL—Get an insider’s view of American activities at Mount Independence in Orwell in the summer through winter of 1776 with this year’s Investigation into the Revolutionary Mind program on Saturday, July 30, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the state historic site’s auditorium. This year the question is “What Were You Thinking, John Trumbull and Anthony Wayne?”
Modern day historian and site interpreter Paul Andriscin summons up American officers John Trumbull and Anthony Wayne to ask about their activities helping to build independence on Lake Champlain in 1776—240 years ago. What roles did they play in the American efforts to build Mount Independence, one of the largest American defenses constructed for the Revolutionary War? This promises to be an engaging first person program.
John Trumbull will be portrayed by Mark Brownell and Anthony Wayne by Steve Whalen. Audience members are welcome to ask questions at the end.
This series of annual programs has explored the decision-making of 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 the September 1777 American raid to take back the Mount from the British, the 1791 Vermont visit by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and last year’s saber rattling between American general Benedict Arnold and British general Guy Carleton.
The event is included in the regular admission fee of $5 for adults and free for children under 15. While there, visit the museum and walk any or all of the six miles of trails on the over 300 acre site. Call 802-948-2000 for more information.
The Mount Independence State Historic Site 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.
For more info, visit historicsites.vermont.gov.
