Revolutionary War History Comes to Life at Mount Independence for 250th Anniversary Living History Weekend

ORWELL, VT -To honor the 250^th anniversary of Mount Independence, the Division for Historic Preservation is hosting its annual "Soldiers Atop the Mount" living history weekend on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, 2026. The two-day event in Orwell honors the soldiers who built and garrisoned the site in 1776 and 1777, helping lay the foundation of the new United States of America.

The weekend features a variety of interactive events and family-friendly programming:

• Baldwin Trail Walkabout (Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.): Reenactors and site interpreters will staff 10 stations along the trail and encampment to bring history to life. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to explore every station.
• Daily Activities: Ongoing demonstrations will showcase military tactics, period skills, historic camp life, and activities tailored for children.
• Amenities: Food and refreshments, including a simple lunch, snacks, and beverages, will be available for purchase both days.

Sunday's events highlight historic speeches, an auto tour, and a book signing:

• Morning Activities: Experience a reenactment of Rev. David Tennent's rousing 1776 wartime oration and the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors are also welcome to tour the active military camps.
• 1:00 p.m. - Military Road Auto Tour: Join Crown Point Road Association historian Jim Rowe for a self-driven auto tour. Starting at Mount Independence with a reading of Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates's 1776 construction order, the tour follows the historic military road, concluding at Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site.
• 2:00 p.m. - Author Presentation: Author and reenactor Skyler Bailey will discuss and sign his new book, Nothing but Honor: Eyewitness Accounts of the Battle of Hubbardton.

All activities are included with admission: $9.00 adults, $1.00 ages 6-16, under 6 free. The site is open both days from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Most activities are outside. Visitors should dress for the weather, wear walking shoes, and be prepared to walk, including around the Baldwin Trail area, which is handicapped accessible with compacted services and gentle grades and the mown ground of the reenactor encampment. The museum shop features an excellent selection of books and other items. Call 802-948-2000 for schedule details.

Mount Independence is a National Historic Landmark and considered one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War archaeological sites in America. It is located at 497 Mount Independence Road, six miles west of the intersection of Vermont Routes 22A and 73 in Orwell. The site is open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., through October 28.

Visit the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation website for details on Mount Independence and other locations.

About the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, part of the Department of Housing and Community Development, is responsible for the stewardship and interpretation of state-owned historic sites. Through its programs, the Division for Historic Preservation integrates Vermont's history into community growth and planning, fostering research, education, and the adaptive use of historic properties across the state.