Milestones
2008
CPRA's 50th ! 1958-2008
In 1958 amateur historians from towns situated on the old Crown Point Road organized the Crown Point Road Association. A celebration was envisioned for the next year (1959) to recognize the 200th anniversary of the construction of the historic military road. U.S. Sen. Ralph Flanders of Springfield and Barney Hantunen of Cuttingsville were named co-chairmen. On October 10, 1959, the association conducted a pilgrimage along the route in Springfield and Weathersfield ending with welcoming ceremonies at the Crown Point Country Club. An original pageant was a highlight of the day.
So much enthusiasm was elicited by the entire event that members were encouraged to continue and expand their goal to preserve and protect the old road. Their dedication has grown and continues until today. Current members plan to celebrate their 50th anniversary with an automobile caravan tour to visit road markers on the eastern side of the state. Contact Jim Moore for more information at jimmymoore1@verizon.net or check our website www.crownpointroad.org.
You may also inquire at our table at VT History Expo June 21-22.
The caravan tour will be preliminary to a planned end-to-end hike of the entire road in 2009 on the 250th anniversary of its construction. Towns along the route will be encouraged to participate by joining the hikes or offering a welcome.
Association has achieved several milestones since our last newsletter:
the completion of our application for nomination to the National
Register of Historic Places and passage of a resolution by the Vermont
Legislature in support of the nomination.
Larry Clark's May 19 Shoreham hike retraced the route of his 2006 hike which had been cut short by high water. This time hikers were able to walk from Marker 58 to Marker 59 and inspect the ruins of Birchard's mill. Rain interrupted the second leg of the hike but lunch was enjoyed in the tractor shed of the Sabourin farm.
Our June tour of Fort William Henry was interesting and informative but we found the village of Lake George does not cater to the historically inclined during tourist season.
Barbara and Barry Griffith explored the area of Proctor Hill and the Half-Way Encampment in Mount Holly in preparation for their July 22 hike. The hike was planned in two segments: a tour of the encampment site on Perry's farm and then a walk west from the Four Corners returning south to Perry's.
Unforeseen circumstances forced a change of location for the August 11 Cavendish hike. Leaders Carmine Guica and Susan Hunter, with Becky Tucker and Joe Pasquariello had explored and cleared the first-planned route but opted instead to ask Carmine to do his tour of early Cavendish cemeteries. Carmine's knowledge of the early settlers made for a very interesting hike. Hikers visited the Morgan and Coffeen cemeteries and the remote grave site of an unknown soldier of the French and Indian War. After erecting a wooden sign to replace the lost Marker 27 at Morgan Cemetery, hikers were led to a section of the old road and a brook crossing by the Zimmer family, landowners.
An oddly-marked boulder on the side of Brook Road was the subject of curiosity and speculation.
Becky Tucker started exploration in the spring for her September 8 Plymouth hike. Her persistence paid off with the location of the Pollard site and a promising section of the CPR. Becky led hikers from Camp Plymouth State Park south and east uphill to the Pollard property. Lunch was enjoyed at beautiful Camp Plymouth on the site of a Revolutionary war campground. The camp facilities were kept open especially for the CPRA by the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The tour continued to the Kingdom Cemetery and Pollard Road.
Outreach
Association members participated in a number of events during the year. Jim Moore and Elaine participated in Rutland History Days May 5 in Main Street Park. Peggy and Larry Clark, Barbara and Barry Griffith, Jim Rowe and Jim Moore represented the CPRA at Vermont History Expo June 23 and 24 in Tunbridge.
Dennis Devereux and Elaine took part in the Revolutionary Trek July 7 to carry the news of the Battle of Hubbardton to Constitution House in Windsor on the 230th anniversary of the Battle of Hubbardton and the ratification of the Vermont Constitution.
Susan Hunter presided at our table at the Springfield celebration of the Black River, sponsored by Black River Activities Team, also on July 7.
The Association set up a preliminary exhibit at the Miller Art Center in Springfield in June.
The archival files loaned to Geoarch were returned to the Vermont Collection at Middlebury College by Jim Moore and Elaine.
The video of the 2006 Plymouth hike filmed by Marita Johnson of SAPA-TV was aired on public access channels in Springfield and Rutland.
Barbara Griffith presented our slide program May 17 for Ann Story Chapter of the DAR and Barry and Elaine presented the program November 18 at the Ethan Allen Homestead. Susan Hunter conducted the program twice in October - for the Miller Art Center and the Riverside Middle School, both in Springfield.
Ancient Roads
We have been encouraged by the interest and enthusiasm expressed by several landowners on the CPR who have recently invited us onto their property. This in a time when squabbles over the existence of ancient roads seem to be on the rise due to ever-increasing development. A number of towns bordering the CPR have formed committees and obtained state funding to define location of their early roads and trails. This may help keep some areas of the CPR open to hikers.
Annual Meeting
The status of our National Register application was discussed at some length during the meeting and pot luck held October 14 at Proctor Free Library. Guest speaker was historian Howard Coffin.
Officers will remain the same in 2008 with Larry Clark accepting another term as director.
Names of officers and directors are listed on the first page of the newsletter. Please feel free to contact us with questions, suggestions or offers to volunteer.
NRHP Application Status
The year 2007 started with the encouragement of the Vermont Legislature. The House and Senate recognized our effort to place the Crown Point Road on the National Register of Historic Places with a joint resolution of support. Our application was forwarded to the National Park Service but in September we received word that it had been rejected. We were complimented on our comprehensive submission but told more "tangible" evidence is required. If we can supply this, we are encouraged to re-apply.
Archaeologist Robert Sloma who prepared our application has offered to stay involved in the project and will volunteer his assistance. It is possible that below-the-surface research and further exploration may take place this summer involving the use of ground penetrating radar and metal detecting. This would be supported primarily by volunteerism or possibly by use of some of our own funds.
Association members who worked on this project for nearly ten years were confounded by the Department of Interior's cool response and seeming lack of interest in Vermont, French and Indian War and Revolutionary War histories.
We value your membership and look forward to seeing you this summer!