Chittenden Historical Society Program: Kip Clark, World War II POW from Chittenden

On May 10 at 7:00 PM at the Chittenden Grange Hall at 3 Lower Middle Road in North Chittenden, the Chittenden Historical Society will present a taped interview with Leland Clark by Marko Svoren about Lee’s father Kip Clark and his experiences as a Prisoner of War in Germany during World War II.

Marko was the Society’s Muzzy Davenport Award winner in 2020, but Covid restrictions prevented presentation of the program. For his eighth-grade history project at Barstow Memorial School, Marko, son of Jan and Elana Svoren of Chittenden, chose to write a paper about Chittenden resident Merald Paul Clark, known as Kip to his friends and family, who spent time as a POW in World War II. Following his interview at the Chittenden Historical Society in March with Kip’s son Leland Clark which was taped by then Society president Steve Welch, Marko wrote a 2,217-word paper using facts from the interview plus further research.

Marko was encouraged by teacher Jamie Gallagher to submit his paper, “ ‘Kip’ Clark: Vermont Local and American POW,” to the 2020 Virtual Vermont History competition. sponsored by the Vermont Historical Society. Marko was the Junior Division Winner. Moreover, he placed second overall in the competition, qualifying him to present his paper at the National History Day Event in Washington, DC.

The Society is very pleased to have had a small part in Marko’s achievement, and we welcome the opportunity to share the interview. The program is free open to the public. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.