August 8, 2024
Dear Vermont Community:
This is a reminder that the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is coming. In 2020, Governor Scott established the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission (VT250th) to plan, encourage, develop, coordinate, and promote observances and activities to be held in Vermont in commemoration of the historic events associated with the American Revolution.
To this end, the VT250th Commission will begin commemorations in 2025 with the capture of Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and finish in 2027 with Vermont’s signature anniversary year marking the founding of Vermont and the campaign of 1777, which included the battles of Hubbardton and Bennington. This commemorative milestone is an important time that provides the perfect platform to take stock of where we have been and to enable planning for our future.
This three-year anniversary period will allow all Vermont communities to share their histories, which include stories more diverse than are commonly known and can serve to unify all Vermonters. The VT250th Commission encourages every community to take part, no matter how big or small the event(s) or activities. How each town and city commemorate its history will be decided by your community.
We invite you to join us as we commemorate the American Revolution and come together to mark the 250 years since the founding of our state and nation and our continuing march toward a more perfect Union by adopting a resolution to be part of the 250th anniversary. A template has been provided for your consideration. The resolution declares that your town or city officially establishes a VT250th liaison or local committee made up of a diverse group of citizens to work with VT250th Commission on any events and activities related to the 250th anniversary.
This will ensure your town or city to be directly involved in the work of the VT250th Commission, as well as bring attention to the upcoming anniversaries for your community and help build awareness of the important role that Vermont and your town or city has contributed to our shared histories.
To date, the following towns, villages and cities have already adopted a resolution to be a part of the 250th anniversary commemoration:
Barnet • Bennington • Canaan • Danville • East Montpelier • Franklin • Granville Landgrove • Lincoln • Londonderry • Lyndon • Manchester • Middlebury • Newark Pomfret • Pownal Rochester • Shaftsbury • Strafford • Sunderland • Tunbridge • Wallingford Washington Wilmington • Windsor • Winhall
We look forward to working with your town or city as you envision and implement a meaningful commemoration for your community for these upcoming anniversary years!