Last updated: April 30, 2020

May 17, 2020: Scouting the Perimeter

On Sunday, May 17, 1pm – 4pm; Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site, 5696 Monument Hill Road, east Hubbardton VT

A journey on-foot around the battlefield. Starting at 1pm at the parking area of the Hubbardton Battlefield’s historic site, the Crown Point Road Association hosts a weather-permitting event called: “Scouting the Perimeter.” This will be a long and moderately strenuous recreational off-trail hike around the Hubbardton Battlefield including:

Battle Abbey (now Hubbardton Liberty Church),

Frog Hollow Road,

East Hubbardton Cemetery, etc.

All must wear boots and clothing to protect legs and arms from deer ticks.  Contact: Tom (802) 388-2967

August 25: Car Tour

    On Saturday the 25th, at 12:30pm, meet at the Mount Independence museum in Orwell for a segment of the 7th annual driving tour. Jim Rowe will lead the tour and the day will
end at the Hubbardton Battlefield. There will be several stops along the way for discussion. People should bring snacks/lunch. It will take about 3 hours. Admission will be charged at either historic site if participants want to spend time exploring. For more info, call Jim at (802) 434-7415

July 21: Car Tour of Battlefields

    On Saturday the 21st, Tom Hughes will lead a carpool/caravan “summer of 1777” military history trip from Hubbardton Battlefield to Bennington. The tour will last most of the day. A
schedule will be emailed and will be posted on the CPRA website. Admission fees will be required at 3 destinations. Bring water and a lunch. For info, call Tom at (802) 388-2967

July 29: Ancestry Discussion

    At 1pm, Vermont State Historic Sites will host a casual and enlightening discussion with several members of Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys, at the Hubbardton Battlefield
Visitors' Center. We'll discuss the history and relevance of the Boys, tell exciting stories of discovery of them in our ancestral trees and offer guidance on how to search for them. Admission will be charged and will allow entrance to visitor center and site. For more info, contact the Welcome Center at (802) 273-2282

June 18, 2017:  Military road hike

    Traditionally there is an outing at the Hubbardton Battlefield Historic Site on the 3rd Sunday of June. So on that date, June 18th, a site interpreter will lead a hike to explore a Hubbardton section of the 1776-77 military road that ran from Mount Independence through Hubbardton and on to Rutland. Wear boots, one section is likely to be wet. 2-5:00pm. For more info, call the Visitor’s Center at: (802) 273-2282

June 24, 2017: Military road hike

    At 10am, a trio of hike leaders will lead an exploration of a possible route of the 1776 Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road in Orwell. Wear appropriate attire for some bushwhacking through the woods, and pack a lunch as well. Meeting location is at 23 Brock Lane in Orwell. Estimated walking distance: about 3 miles. For more info, call Dale at (802) 353-6374.

July 8 & 9th, 2017: Military road ceremony

    On these days, there will be the annual weekend of events to celebrate the historic battle in Hubbardton. Currently planned for 2pm on Saturday, after a tactical re-enactment ceremony, there will be an unveiling of a “Hubbardton Military Road Crossed Here” sign. Meet near the marker next to the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center. For more info, call (802) 273-2282

July 15, 2017: Historical Bus Trip

    A bus trip will be offered to Portsmouth, NH. to visit Strawbery Banke and if time allows, another historic site. Pick up locations will include Rutland and West Lebanon. The estimated travel time is 3 hours. One-way distance is about 150 miles. All the finalized details will be posted on this website soon. Details will include cost, meals, times etc. For more info, call Tom at (802) 388-2967 or Jim at (802) 434-7415

July 16, 2017: Military road discussion

    For the 3rd Sunday of July program, a discussion will be held at the Hubbardton Battle Visitor’s Center from 1-2:30pm on the 16th. Historians and long-time re-enactors show you an artillery piece and musket to demonstrate some of the Revolution’s armaments needed for battle and defense, and will tell you about the Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road. The road was used by soldiers moving through the area and to transport supplies, such as ammunition. For more info, call the Visitor’s Center at: (802) 273-2282

August 20, 2017: Car Tour

    At 12:30pm, meet at Hubbardton Battlefield Visitor’s Center. On this 6th annual driving tour, Jim Rowe will lead a tour of the Hydeville Branch of the 1776 Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road. We will go by car starting from the former Lake Bomoseen Inn, a.k.a. “The Dog”, in Hydeville, through West Castleton, and finishing in Eastern Benson. There will be several stops along the way for discussion. People should bring snacks/ lunch. It will take about 3 hours. Admission will be charged at the Hubbardton Battlefield and will allow entrance to visitor center and site. For more info, call Jim at (802) 434-7415

Saturday&Sunday, June 18&19, 2016
    It will be the Vermont History Expo weekend. There will be exhibits, crafters, artisans, music, entertainment, authors, heritage animals, and family fun. This year’s theme is H20: The Power of Water in Vermont History. It will be held at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge. For complete schedule, driving directions and more, visit the website at: http://vermonthistory.org/expo

August 20, 2016: Car Tour

    At 9:30am, meet at Hubbardton Battlefield Visitors Center. We will go by car from the Battlefield to Otter Creek in Center Rutland. There will be several stops along the way for discussion. People should bring snacks/lunch. It will take about 3 hours. Admission will be charged at the Hubbardton Battlefield and will allow entrance to visitor center and site. For more info, call Jim at
(802) 434-7415

August 21, 2016: Military road discussion

    At 1pm, visit the Hubbardton Battlefield for the Third Sunday program discussing the 1776-77 military road and the soldiers and supplies traveling the route to Mount Independence. Special guest is long-time re-enactor Wight Manning, who will present his artillery piece. 1:00 – 2:15 PM. $3.00 for adults, free for children under 15

September 10&11, 2016: Military road ceremony

    During the weekend of the 10th and 11th, come to Mount Independence for “Soldiers Atop the Mount,” the annual Revolutionary War living history encampment, which this year is commemorating the 240th anniversary of the start of construction of Mount Independence and the military road to Hubbardton. Baldwin Trail walkabout on Saturday. Sunday, at 12:45, come for the unveiling of a “Hubbardton Military Road crossed here” sign. Saturday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM $6.00 for adults, free for children under 15

September 18, 2016: Military road hike

    At 2pm, meet at the Hubbardton Battlefield visitor center for Carl Fuller’s vigorous guided hike on the Hubbardton section of the 1776-77 military road leading to Mount

Independence. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes. 2:00 – 5:00 PM. $3.00 for adults, free for children under 15. Part of the Vermont Archaeology Month program. For more info, call (802) 273-2282

October 2, 2016: Military road hike

    At 10am, meet at the Hubbardton Battlefield in Hubbardton for a strenuous hike. It may include bushwhacking. The route will depart from Biddie Knob Road and finish on the Old Hubbardton Road in Pittsford. Transportation will be arranged to return participants to their vehicles in Hubbardton following the hike. For more info, call Dale at (802) 353-6374

Saturday, April 26, 2014 11:00 am

    Allowing time for the snow to melt and the ground to firm up, we’ll start with a hike in Benson. Meet at the G&L Store on the corner of VT Route 22A and VT Route 144 in Benson. This hike will be on the Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road and about one mile in length. Jim Rowe will be the leader. We will walk along the route of the road over Howard Hill to East Road.

For further information, contact Jim Rowe at (802)434-7415

August 23, 2014: Hydeville Branch Car Tour

    Hydeville Branch of Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road Car Tour

Jim Rowe, president of the Crown Point Road Association, offers the third annual driving tour to explore sections of the 1776 Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road.  Meet at the visitor center for orientation.  This tour along the Hydeville Branch goes from East Road in Benson, to West Castleton, and finishes at the outlet of Lake Bomoseen.  9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

September 28, 2014: Hike on the military road

    Hike on Hubbardton Section of 1776 Military Road   

Site interpreter Carl Fuller leads a vigorous guided hike on part of the 1776-77 military road that led to Mount Independence.  Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.  Vermont Archaeology Month program.  $3.00 for adults/free for children under 15.   2:00-5:00 PM. Mount Independence State Historic Site, 497 Mount Independence Road, Orwell, VT   802-948-2000

October 12, 2014: Hike on the military road

    Hike into History: Mount Independence Section of 1776 Military Road     

Mount Independence Coalition president Steve Zeoli leads you on this three mile autumn hike out to the Mount’s northern point.  The focus is on the Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road, built in the autumn of 1776.  Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather.  $5.00 for adults/free for children under 15.  2:00 PM 

January 25 2014: 2nd Annual Business Meeting

    The public is invited as “Friends of the Hubbardton Military Road” convene in Castleton VT on Saturday morning, January 25 for their third annual business meeting.  The 10:00 a.m. until Noon gathering will be held in the Castleton Community Center, at 2108 Main Street, some 100 yards east of the Castleton Corners intersection of routes 30 and 4A.

The first agenda item will be to hear reports on the 2013 auto tours and hikes along the route of the military road, which runs from Lake Champlain through Orwell, Benson, Hubbardton, Castleton, Ira, and West Rutland, ending near the Center Rutland falls of the Otter Creek in the Town of Rutland.

The second agenda item is to discuss ideas for “Friends of the Hubbardton Military Road” to consider for potential projects during 2014 and 2015, such as hikes (including the Hydeville branch), mapping research, programs, and marking the route with signs where the military road crosses public highways.

Everyone is welcome to attend.  Everyone, even those with mobility challenges or who use a wheelchair, may enter using the accessible ground-level entrance at the back of the building, convenient to ample off-street parking.  Light refreshments will be available.

August 5 2013:  Hike into History
Mount Independence Coalition president Steven Zeoli leads a hike on the trails of the Mount.  Walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary War soldiers. Further details to come.

January 26 2013: 2nd Annual Business Meeting

    The public is invited in Castleton VT on Saturday morning, January 26 for their second annual business meeting.  The gathering will be held in the Castleton Free Library, at 638 Main Street in Castleton, from 10:00 a.m. until Noon.  In the event of an ice storm, the weather date is 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sun., Jan. 27, in the same location.

    The agenda item will include:

1. • Hearing reports on the summer 2012 auto tour
   

2. • The Autumn military bridge hike
   

3. • Last month's hike to the cellar holes along the military road
   

4. • To receive reports of progress on a list of the property owners along the road
   

5. • Discussion of ideas for  for potential projects during 2013 and 2014, such as hikes, mapping research, printing a re-supply of Joseph Wheeler’s 1968 book on the topic, programs, car tour (West Rutland to Center Rutland?), and marking the route with signs where the military road crosses public highways.
   

     Light refreshments will be available.

    Annual membership dues can be paid at the end of this meeting.   Membership in the non profit Crown Point Road Association is available at the $3 senior/student rate, the $5 individual rate, and the $8 family rate.

    For more information, the public may call the committee chair, Tom Hughes, at 802-388-2967

December 15 2012: Military Road Hike - Guided Hike

Saturday, Dcember 15th, Jim Rowe, along with Brad Little, are doing a hike in Benson to look for cellar holes south of Perch Pond. If time allows, there may be a visit to the military road bridge also found in the area. We will meet at 11:00 AM at the store on the corner of Rt 22A and Rt 144. If you want to look at some historic maps of the area, open the file HERE

October 13 2012: Military Road Bridge - Guided Hike

Saturday, October 13th, Jim Rowe is doing a hike in Benson to check out the Military Bridge on The Mount Independence- Hubbardton Military Road. We will meet at 10:00 AM at the store on the corner of Rt 22A and Rt 144.

September 16 2012: Mount Independence - Guided Hike 

        Starting at 2:00 to 5:00 pm, Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site interpreter Carl Fuller will lead a vigorous hike along a section of this little known military road. 

         The hike starts at the battlefield museum building, and heads west following traces of the old military road that led toward Mount Independence.  Hikers will see the area where the first shots of the Revolutionary War Battle of Hubbardton were fired on July 7, 1777, and get a taste of what it might have been like for the soldiers traveling over this varied terrain.  The event is one of many during September’s Vermont Archaeology Month. 

         Be prepared for hills.  Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and bring water.  Admission is $2.00 for adults and free for children under 15, and includes visiting the museum.

         The Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site preserves the location of the only Revolutionary War battle in Vermont.  The site is on Monument Hill Road six miles off VT Route 30 in Hubbardton or seven miles off exit 5 on US Route 4 in Castleton.  Carefully follow the signs.  The site is open Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 to 5:00 p.m., and on Columbus Day, October 8, the last day of the season. 

        For more information about the program, call (802) 273-2282.

August 25 2012: Mount Independence - Hubbardton Military Road Car Tour 

        On Saturday, August 25, starting at 9:30 a.m., Jim Rowe will offer a guided driving tour along part of the 1776-77 Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road.   Meet at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vermont, with your vehicle.   The tour will end at the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site in Hubbardton.

        The tour is $5.00 for adults and free for children under 15, and includes admission to Mount Independence and the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Sites.

         Rowe is president of the Crown Point Road Association, and has a lifelong interest in this Revolutionary War military road.   The road was built after the September 7, 1776, order of Gen. Horatio Gates to connect the Revolutionary War fortification being constructed at Mount Independence on Lake Champlain to Hubbardton, Rutland, and Fort No. 4 in New Hampshire.  Gates considered the road “so Essential to the Interest of the United States” and “the safety and protection of the inhabitants of all the Middle States of this Union.”  Soldiers, ammunition, and stores used the road to reach the Mount.  On the night of July 5 and 6, 1777, as the British invaded the lake, American forces withdrew from Mount Independence and Fort Ticonderoga along the road, engaging the British at the Battle of Hubbardton on July 7.

  

April 15th 2012: Castleton Historical Society Meeting

The meeting, starting at 2:00 p.m. will take place in the 200-year-old Higley House on the famous and architecturally-distinguished Colonial village green. The well-preserved Higley House Museum is located at 407 Main Street. There is no admission charge for the April 15 program which is open to both members and non-members. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, the public may telephone Holly at 468-5105 or Tom at 388-2967.

June 16 and 17 2011:  History Fair

See the Crown Point Road Association’s booth while enjoying the Vermont History Expo all weekend in Tunbridge VT.

 July 5 and 6 2011:  Retreat from Mount Independence

Intrepid re-enactors follow the footsteps of history and retreat from Mount Independence in Orwell for a 26-mile hike to wind up at Hubbardton the day before the Battle of Hubbardton.  Watch for them along the roads and byways and imagine the thousands of soldiers doing this exactly 235 years ago!   Call (802) 273-2282 for details. 

 

July 7 and 8 2011:  Battle of Hubbardton Revolutionary War Encampment  

Commemorate the 235th anniversary of the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Vermont.  Re-enactors portray soldiers.  Tactical military demonstrations, drilling lessons, guided camp and battlefield tours, camp life activities, history scavenger hunt, colonial games, children’s activities, music, and shopping on sutler row. Revolutionary War battle maneuvers Sunday morning.  Food stand both days.  9:30 – 5:00 PM Saturday and 8:00 -5:00 PM Sunday

 

August 25 2011:   from Mount Independence to East Hubbardton Car Tour of the 1777 Military Road

Friends of the Hubbardton Military Road, a committee of the Crown Point Road Association, offers a driving tour along part of the 1776 Mount Independence - Hubbardton Military Road.  Call for details.

September 16 2011:  Hubbardton Military Road Hike

Site interpreter Carl Fuller leads a vigorous guided hike on part of the 1776 military road leading from Mount Independence to Hubbardton to Center Rutland.  Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.  Vermont Archaeology Month program.   2:00 - 5:00 PM  (802) 273-2282.

 

October 7 2011:  15th Annual Mount Zion Hike 

 Hike up Mount Zion with site interpreter Carl Fuller to enjoy the fall colors and aerial view of the Hubbardton battlefield and surrounding mountains.  Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring water.  Meet at the Visitor Center.  2:00 – 5:00 PM  (802) 273-2282.