It’s Ice Cream Social Time

July 9, 2024 @ 6:30 PM

It’s Ice Cream Social Time, Again!

Come join the Chittenden Historical Society for our Annual Ice Cream Social, featuring make your own sundaes. Children’s activities will be available.

This is also the evening that we honor the eighth grade winner of the Muzzy-Davenport Award for Excellence in Chittenden History. This year’s honoree is Luke Valcour for his project on the Economics of 1800’s Chittenden. Luke will be the evening’s speaker. 

The Award was named for Bert Muzzy and Edmund Davenport. Bert was born and raised in Chittenden, VT, attended the University of Vermont, was known for his outspokenness and passionate love of the land. The Chittenden Historical Society established and named the award for him in the 1990’s. Ed Davenport’s name was added in 2006. Ed had a life-long love for the Town of Chittenden and was devoted to the preservation of Chittenden’s history. 

The celebration is Tuesday, July 9, 2024 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Chittenden Grange Hall, 3 Middle Road, Chittenden, VT 

Chittenden Grange Hall

3 Middle Road
Chittenden, Vermont 05763 United States + Google Map
View Venue Website

We Need Your Stories

June 12, 2024 @ 10:00 AM

The Chittenden Historical Society has a wonderful opportunity to be a part of, well, history! You can be a part of this by sharing your pictures, facts and STORIES about the six buildings/structures that are owned by the Town of Chittenden. These include the Municipal Offices, the Transfer Station Complex, the Grange Hall, South Town Hall, the Chittenden Historical Society Building,and the Pavillion (the outdoor classroom near Barstow School). 

Were you a part of construction, development, community events, did you celebrate family events, do you know of historical events, do you know how they became town owned or know how they changed over time? Old and New Stories are needed. Your Stories can be written or you can dictate and they can be written for you. Do you have any maps or pictures that can be scanned? 

For example: The Douglas Family had what they call their Christmas Do at the Grange Hall. Douglas’s from all over Vermont and few from Massachusetts gathered for a potluck luncheon, recalled stories of Grampa and Nana, had a traditional Yankee Swap and a Pass the (joke) Present game. Once again, the family recalled how Bruce and his dad, Ed, fell asleep in adjoining armchairs, hands resting on the arms. It was startling to see the identical poses and similarities of their hands. There is pictorial evidence!

Be a part of this great historic event! Meet with Laurie Wilson at the Chittenden Historical Society Building on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 10:00AM. 

Stories and materials can be submitted at any time.

All will be compiled into a StoryMap presentation ready by Chittenden Day, Saturday, August 24,2024 to be held at the Barstow Memorial School.

Chittenden Families, Past and Present

June 11, 2024 @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

You are invited to attend a program at the North Chittenden Grange Hall presented by Julia Purdy titled, “Chittenden Families Past and Present”. Her information comes from a genealogical collection done by Marvel Swan of Rutland some years ago. Come see who lived in our town in the past and maybe find some information on relatives. Refreshments will be available after the program and if able please bring a dessert to share. 

Mitchell Iron Ore Beds and Granger Forge Trip

April 20, 2024 was cool and a little cloudy as 14 Chittenden Historical Society members and guests gathered on the property of John Bodin and family to tour the remains of the Mitchell Iron Ore beds. The beds themselves little resemble the very active industry now. Much to the disappointment of the youngest members it is not possible to climb down in them.

According to the book, Chittenden, Vermont, A Town History, the Mitchell iron ore bed contained enough iron ore to influence compass needles. Workers mined nearly 600 tons of iron ore annually. Teamsters hauled the three-ton loads of iron ore via horse-drawn freight two times a day to the Granger Forge in Pittsford, Vermont three miles away. Today’s members could see little evidence of the immense operation but John Bodin pointed out a small brook where a bed and trench had been. Observers could see a dark, brown color to the brook water along with foam demonstrating that the water was going through old iron.

A smaller group made the short drive to the Granger Forge site in Pittsford. The group marked the presence of Furnace Brook that was used to cool operations, then walked a short, pleasant distance to the forge site. Parts of the forge are still there and demonstrate how very large it was in its heyday. It was very tempting, but not advisable, to climb up into the forge. A local Pittsford participant said that when she was a girl it was very common to find turquoise blue shiny “rocks” in the brook. These contaminates discarded from the smelting process. Members of the group did not find any of the turquoise blue, royal blue or green “rocks”.

All in all a great day of learning, wonder and friendship.

Chittenden Historical Society Regular Meeting

May 14, 2024 @ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

CHS regular meeting at the Chittenden Historical Society Building, 337 Holden Road, Chittenden, VT. Featuring Show and Tell. Bring an item such as a photo, object or document that is special to you and is historical. Attendees will have the opportunity to look at our archives as well.

Iron Ore Beds & Forge Hike

April 20, 2024 @ 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Did you know that Rutland County is home to many old mines? Join us to learn more. Meet at 124 West Road, North Chittenden, VT for an easy hike to various site remnants. Wear sturdy shoes.

Chittenden’s Iron Ore History Tour

April 20, 2024 @ 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Learn about Chittenden’s iron ore beds and forges. Meet at 124 West Road, North Chittenden. Wear sturdy footwear.

Free

Mitchell Iron Ore Mines and Granger Forge

The Chittenden Historical Society will meet on April 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM at The Grange, 3 Middle Road, Chittenden to view the video of the Society’s last hike to the Mitchell Iron Ore Mines. Allen Hitchcock was the guide.

On April 20, 2024 The Society will meet at 9:30 AM at 124 West Road, Chittenden to once again hike to the mines and to view the ruins of Granger Forge. Did you know that Vermont at one time was a national leader in the production of iron, and copper? In the 19th century most towns had at least one operating furnace or mill. These were engaged in the manufacture of iron, working the ore into wrought iron at small bloomery forges, or smelting ore into cast iron in tall blast furnaces. These early forges dotted the banks of streams and rivers, answering the needs of early Vermont settlers.

Join us as we explore and learn about the links from iron ore to completed stoves in Chittenden and Pittsford.

CHS Business Meeting

April 9, 2024 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Regular business, plan for excursion to the Granger Forge ruins and Mitchell Iron Ore Beds

Author and Historian Martin Podskoch, CCC 90 th Anniversary, Its History and Legacy: VT CCC Camps

Please join us on Monday, October 16, at 7 pm at the North Chittenden Grange Hall, 3 Lower Middle Road, N. Chittenden, VT for a program honoring the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC). Learn the impact of the program, some of which seeded development of Vermont State Parks, State Forests, and winter recreation areas that we enjoy today. Thirty CCC camps operated in Vermont in 1937, and between 1933 and 1942, a total of 40,868 individuals worked in Vermont CCC camps. Local projects include the Aiken Side Camp in Mendon, the Okemo Camp in Ludlow, the Coolidge State Forest Camp in Plymouth, and Side Camps in Wallingford.
After retirement, newfound interests led Martin Podskoch to become an author and historian recognized for his extensive work documenting the history of the Catskills, Adirondack Fire Towers, and the Civilian Conservation Corps camps. His first travel guide, The Adirondack 102 Club: Your Passport & Guide to the North Country has become the best-selling travel guide book in the Adirondacks. In researching the history.
The CCC began on March 31, 1933, under President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” to relieve the poverty and unemployment of the Great Depression. Camps were set up in many towns, state parks and forests. Workers built trails, roads, campsites, and dams, stocked fish, built and maintained fire tower observer’s cabins & telephone lines, fought fires, and planted millions of trees. The CCC disbanded in 1942 due to the need for men in WW II.

This program is free, handicap accessible, and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.