Visits to Vermont’s state-owned historic sites reach 22-year high

While he was Massachusetts governor, Calvin Coolidge mows his parents' fields in Plymouth, Vt., in 1920. The farm and Coolidge's childhood home are part of the state of Vermont's nine historic sites. (AP Photo) —AP

By OLIVIA HAGIOS

VTDigger

Published: 12-07-2024 5:00 PM

A group of Vermont historic sites owned and operated by the state had more than 80,000 visitors during the 2024 season — the most traffic the sites have seen since 2002.

“These sites are a good way to explore our beautiful state and I encourage everyone to visit them and learn more about what makes Vermont such a special place,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a Tuesday press release from the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development.

The 80,678 visitors from May to October brought in a total of $512,053 in admission fees and gift store purchases at six of the historic sites. The agency estimates that approximately 65% to 70% of the visitors were Vermonters, according to Christine Hinkel Ianni, communications director for the agency.

When asked why this year was so popular, Hinkel Ianni said via email that “there is a desire to be outside and explore again after COVID and flooding.”

Although 2024 was a successful year, the all-time record occurred in 1998 with 93,365 visitors. However, in 1998, 12 historic sites in the state were open to the public, compared with today’s nine, of which only seven were open for the 2024 season, according to the release.

The state-owned historic sites open to the public this year were the Bennington Battle Monument, Chimney Point in Addison, Vt., the Hubbardton Battlefield, Mount Independence in Orwell, Vt., President Calvin Coolidge’s childhood home in Plymouth Notch, Vt., President Chester A. Arthur’s assumed birthplace in Fairfield, Vt., and Sen. Justin Morrill’s home in Strafford.

The most visited sites this year were the Bennington Battle Monument, which saw 39,636 visitors, and the President Calvin Coolidge site, which had 25,014 visitors, according to Hinkel Ianni.

Two other historic sites — Old Constitution House in Windsor and Eureka Schoolhouse in Springfield, Vt. — closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained closed during the 2024 season. The Old Constitution House is set to reopen in 2027, and the Eureka Schoolhouse could open as early as 2025, according to the release.

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