Bennington Battle Monument (+42.8892, -73.2156)
In 2024, we visited Bennington, Vermont. There is a large monument on a hill in the town, commemorating the Battle of Bennington, where the patriots defeated the British in August 1777. I was excited to find a historic site on the 43rd parallel in Vermont. Unfortunately, the battle really took place about ten miles west, near Walloomsac, New York. The battle was fought to prevent British forces from capturing colonists’ supplies. As a result, the British could not proceed to Albany, and retreated to Saratoga, where General Burgoyne later surrendered to the Americans, which was a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Although the battle was not fought in Vermont, the people of Bennington did build an impressive 300-foot obelisk to remember the hundredth anniversary of the battle. From an observation deck (200 feet up, accessed by using an elevator), there is a nice view of the surrounding area. A small museum is located on the grounds, and was a worthwhile visit.
Robert Frost gravesite (+42.8834, -73.2116)
A monument of a different kind is located about a half mile south, down the hill. The Bennington Centre Cemetery is located near the Old First Congregational Church. In 1940, the acclaimed poet Robert Frost bought graves in this cemetery, because he had a farm north of the town years earlier. He died in 1963, and there are many of his family members buried in the plot as well. The cemetery has plenty of signs to direct you to the site. Some of Robert Frost’s poems are displayed near the gravesite.
For more information:
Wikipedia entry for Battle Monument
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennington_Battle_Monument
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost
Why was Robert Frost buried in Bennington?