Norwich

9780738554525

$24.99

In 1765, pioneers spent their first long winter on the banks of the Connecticut River in the section of wilderness that would become the town of Norwich, Vermont. These settlers and their families fought hard to turn the rough terrain into a thriving farming and manufacturing community that would soon boast 20 school districts and a prominent military academy. Although winters were harsh and the demands of daily chores were never ending, the residents of
Norwich still found time to lead full and varied lives. The manufacturing and military communities are gone now, but that fascinating past will come alive in these remarkable images of Norwich families at work and at play.

Hello, Vermont!

9780981943046

$9.95

Welcome to Vermont!Follow parent and child bears as they tour Vermont together. Join them as they ski the slopes, collect maple syrup, and hike the Long Trail. Along the way they milk dairy cows, go fishing, kayak on the rivers and lakes, and even see Champ--the monster of Lake Champlain! All the treasures of Vermont are here, from covered bridges to hills dappled with fall foliage to remind children and their loved ones of their own great trip to Vermont.Bestselling author Martha Day Zschock is an artist and former elementary teacher with a passion for helping children explore new places. The Hello! series illustrates how exploring real places yields new discoveries. Through these journeys, kids can explore and become experts on the world they see inside and outside the book, through the engaging, bright, and detailed illustrations. For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Ghosts and Legends of Lake Champlain

9781609497293

$21.99

Despite the beauty of the region, Lake Champlain has been the site of dark and mysterious events.

Located between New York's majestic Adirondacks and Vermont's famed Green Mountains, it's not surprising that some spirits linger in this otherwise tranquil place. Fort Ticonderoga saw some of early America's bloodiest battles, and soldiers' ghosts still stand guard. A spirit walks the halls of SUNY Plattsburgh, even after his original haunt burned in 1929. Champlain's islands--Stave, Crab, Valcour and Garden--all host otherworldly inhabitants, and unidentified creatures and objects have made appearances on the water, in the sky and in the forests surrounding the lake. Join Burlington's Thea Lewis as she explores the ghosts and legends that haunt Lake Champlain.

The Man from Vermont: Charles Ross Taggart Old Country Fiddler

9781626192119

$21.99

In 1895, East Topsham's Charles Ross Taggart set his sights on becoming a traveling musical humorist. His uproarious ventriloquist and musical performances brought rave reviews in his Vermont community. He was soon thrust into the world of the lyceum and Chautauqua circuits, journeying far and wide across North America. His forty-three-year career spanned some of America's most exciting and most difficult times, and his folk performances--especially his beloved Old Country Fiddler"--brought smiles to all who experienced them. He was also an innovator in the entertainment industry, recording his music and humor, as well as appearing in one of the first "talkie" films. Discover the remarkable story of "The Man from Vermont" who helped Americans forget their troubles when they needed it most with his mimicry, stories and fiddling."

The Man from Vermont: Charles Ross Taggart Old Country Fiddler

Abolition & the Underground Railroad in Vermont

9781626190382

$21.99

Many believe that support for the abolition of slavery was universally accepted in Vermont, but it was actually a fiercely divisive issue that rocked the Green Mountain State. In the midst of turbulence and violence, though, some brave Vermonters helped fight for the freedom of their enslaved Southern brethren. Thaddeus Stevens--one of abolition's most outspoken advocates--was a Vermont native. Delia Webster, the first woman arrested for aiding a fugitive slave, was also a Vermonter. The Rokeby house in Ferrisburgh was a busy Underground Railroad station for decades. Peacham's Oliver Johnson worked closely with William Lloyd Garrison during the abolition movement. Discover the stories of these and others in Vermont who risked their own lives to help more than four thousand slaves to freedom.

Abolition & the Underground Railroad in Vermont

Vermont Beer

9781626194823

$23.99

Vermonters love all things local, so it is no surprise that the Green Mountain State has had a thriving craft beer scene for more than 20 years.

Early Vermont brewers faced a strong uphill struggle however, as a state-imposed alcohol prohibition began in 1852, and continued well after the ending of federal prohibition. Conditions remained unfavorable until Greg Noonan, founder of Vermont Pub & Brewery, championed brewing legislation that opened the door for all breweries and pubs in the 1980s. About the same time, the now beloved Catamount also began brewing, and Vermont's craft beer scene exploded. Years ahead of the rest of the country, local favorites like Hill Farmstead, Long Trail, and Rock Art Brewing have provided world-class beer to grateful patrons. From small upstarts to well-recognized national brands like Magic Hat and Harpoon, Vermont boasts more breweries per capita than any other state in the country. With brewer interviews and historic recipes included, discover the sudsy story of beer in Vermont.

Vermont Women, Native Americans & African Americans

9781609492625

$21.99

In the earliest days of America's founding, Vermont stands out: a consitution that banned slavery outright and allowed those without land the right to vote, created a fertile ground for those cast aside in neighboring states--women, native american and african american people--to thrive and to to lead.

Vermont's constitution, drafted in 1777, was one of the most enlightened documents of its time, but in contrast, the history of Vermont has largely been told through the stories of influential white men. This book takes a fresh look at Vermont's history, uncovering hidden stories, from the earliest inhabitants to present-day citizens striving to overcome adversity and be advocates for change. Native Americans struggled to maintain an identity in the state while their land and rights were disappearing. Lucy Terry Prince was the first female African American poet who rose above racism to argue her case before Vermont's governor and won. Educator and historian Cynthia Bittinger unearths these and other inspirational stories of the contributions of women, Native Americans and African Americans to Vermont's history.

Vermont Women, Native Americans & African Americans

Springfield

9780738575186

$24.99

Although Springfield was chartered in 1761, residents did not begin taking advantage of the waterpower on the Black River until the 1800s. Once dams were built to harness the water, mills and factories followed. Innovation could not be stopped, and for the next 150 years one invention or improvement after another emerged from this little town. Things like the spring clothespin and sandpaper were invented in Springfield as well as world-famous tool-making machines such as the turret lathe and gear shaping and grinding machines. Improvements were also made to textile-processing machinery. A combination of the right people at the right place and time allowed Springfield, the "little town that did," to transform from an agrarian and mill town to the home of a world-renowned machine tool industry.

Glastenbury

9781596293373

$21.99

Founded by a famously scheming New Hampshire governor, Glastenbury struggled for over a century to break triple digits in population. A small charcoal-making industry briefly flourished after the Civil War, yet by 1920 Glastenbury counted fewer than twenty inhabitants. The end came officially in 1937, when the state, following a spirited debate, formally disincorporated the town. Yet Glastenbury's legacy lives on in Tyler Resch's lively and amusing history. Follow Resch as he chronicles the community's compelling, if always precarious, existence. From mysterious murders and curious development schemes to the township's eventual annexation by the U.S. Forest Service, Glastenbury narrates the ultimately redemptive tale of a community that lost its political status, only to gain a national forest.

Orleans County

9780738574127

$24.99

Orleans County is a quiet, rural county in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. In the late 18th and early 19th century, southern New England settlers moved north to the hills and valleys where the Native American Abenaki had long resided. Life in Orleans County was hard and isolated, with travel often curtailed by intense winter weather and deep spring mud. But instead of leaving the beautiful land, the people made their own civilization and settled into country life. Images of America: Orleans County highlights the men and women who farmed the land and took part in the growth of industry. Historic photographs portray the county's evolution as the number of farms decreased and factory work increased, transportation progressed from wagon and sleigh to the automobile and railroad, and agriculture moved from horse-powered equipment to gas-powered tractors.

The Lepine Girls of Mud City: Embracing Vermont

9781609494315

$21.99

The Lepines" story began in Quebec, from where Maurice and Imelda immigrated to Vermont during the Great Depression. The family farmed, lived off the rich Vermont landscape and instilled a love for it in their daughters, Gert, Jeanette and Therese. As adults, "the Girls" taught school, traveled the world and worked for President Johnson but never forgot their roots. All three returned to Mount Sterling Farm, raising their famed Jersey cows and embodying Vermont's agricultural tradition. Their story is one of hope and valor--of a family who loved their home and neighbors and left their land as a lasting gift for the world.

The Lepine Girls of Mud City: Embracing Vermont

The Darlings of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

9781596293809

$21.99

Drop in on the Darling family, pioneers and princes of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Harriet Fisher interviews the friends and employees of Elmer Darling, who was as attentive to the needs of his mountain community in Vermont as he was to the lodgers of his luxury hotel in Manhattan. Not content to halt there, Fisher tracks the family all the way back to its arrival in America and its hard-earned settlement of the rugged Vermont wilderness. The resulting family portrait provides glimpses of everything from the stately manor of Burklyn Hall to the signed note to Alfred Darling that President Lincoln wrote the day before his assassination.

The Darlings of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

Country Stores of Vermont:

9781626192720

$21.99

Each Vermont country store carries its own particular stock of special wares and memorable characters. From the Connecticut River to Lake Champlain, country stores and their dedicated owners offer warmth against the blizzard, advice and a friendly ear or a stern word. Neighbors meet and communities are forged beside these feed barrels and bottomless coffee urns. Author Dennis Bathory-Kitsz returns once again to the Green Mountain State with this updated and revised history and guide to its beloved country stores. When Hurricane Irene threatened many of these local institutions and communities in 2011, Vermonters came together, often at their country stores. Explore the very heart of communities big and small, where locals have been keeping their house keys behind the counter and solving the world's problems on the front stoop for more than two hundred years.

Brattleboro:

9781596297197

$21.99

Founded as Fort Dummer in 1724, from its earliest days the town that would become Brattleboro enjoyed beautiful views and a strong spirit. It quickly grew into a home for Vermont industry and pleasure, attracting tourists, traders and innovators from across the region. Former Brattleboro Reformer contributor Fran Lynggaard Hansen describes the town's history through highlights from her "Downstreet" column, including accounts of the 1848 smallpox outbreak, the founding of the Estey Organ Company, the construction of the Harris Ski Jump, the story behind George Crowell's Lindenhurst mansion and the efforts of the dedicated volunteers who launched the first Winter Carnival. Portraying residents at work, at play, and in service to one another, she captures the essence of Brattleboro's enduring charm.

North Williston:

9781609491895

$21.99

With the advent of the railroad in 1849, North Williston changed from a small collection of
farms to a thriving economic center in Chittenden County. Transportation access spurred industries such as Smith Wright's cold storage plant, a butter tub factory and a gristmill. The general store, with the telephone switchboard and the post office, served as the community's central gathering place during the village's prosperity. Richard H. Allen has drawn on a wide variety of sources to capture the essence of this era, and perhaps most enchanting are the words of North Williston residents who recall the time before rail service declined and the village all but disappeared.

The Ghostly Tales of Burlington

9781467198646

$12.99

Ghost stories from Burlington, Vermont have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! The haunted history of Burlington comes to life--even when the main players are dead. Visit the Howard Opera House for a spectral show. Or spend the night at the South Meadow on Raymond Place, but don't count on getting much sleep while surrounded by restless spirits. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Bennington

9780738510279

$24.99

Bennington is the oldest incorporated town in Vermont, and the area is one of the most historic parts of the state. The well-known story of Bennington's early days includes tales of the Battle of Bennington and the adventures of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Bennington carries the story of this community forward into the twentieth century. It pictures the town's development as a producer of textiles, paper, and a wide array of goods, including the town's famous pottery. At the same time, the area has remained a picturesque region that attracts artists, poets, and summer visitors.

Bennington explores the scenic town with more than two hundred vintage photographs from the Bennington Museum and private collections, many of which have never before been published. The area's growth and diversity are evident in views of the changing architecture, transportation, and recreational activities. Victorian estates of industrialists offset the row houses of the mid-1800s mill workers. The family horse is replaced by the trolley and then by the motor car, such as the Martin Wasp. Bennington tells a story that reveals the rich character of this historic Vermont town.

Bennington and the Civil War

9781626191716

$21.99

The people of Bennington often refer to the American Revolution as our war," as it was the site of the decisive Battle of Bennington. Yet more than one thousand Bennington boys fought in the Civil War, and residents on the homefront played their parts to support the United States, too. All the machinery used to produce gunpowder and nearly all the horseshoes for the United States Army were manufactured in Bennington, and a Bennington native was instrumental in the building of the USS "Monitor. "Mrs. Jefferson Davis visited friends in Bennington shortly after the war, and two Medal of Honor winners lived here as well. In this book, historian Bill Morgan unveils the important ways that Bennington helped preserve the United States during the Civil War."

Montpelier

9781596295018

$21.99

Once a small clearing in the woods, Montpelier today sits at the center of Vermont's civic and cultural life. Its artists, legislators, innovators and leaders have made the nation's smallest state capital a crossroads for all. Glimpse the only surviving photographs of the second State House--taken just years before it burned--and the welcome given to Admiral George Dewey, fresh from victory in the Spanish-American War, by the largest crowd the city has ever seen. Survey the wreckage of the 1927 flood, learn how Montpelier's glorious historic district came to life and follow the footsteps of presidents passing through town.
Gathered together for the first time, these timeless images show Montpelier's citizens in their grittiest, saddest, happiest and most triumphant moments.