Bennington's Historical Society celebrates the Battle of Bennington

The Bennington Historical Society is going to be celebrating the Revolutionary War victory at the Battle of Bennington.  Bennington was named in remembrance of that important battle for independence.  Come join us to celebrate Sunday, August 18 from 6 to 9 pm at Centennial Park in Bennington.  Festivities start with a covered dish picnic in the park.  Admission is one covered dish, beverage and your own plates and hardware.  There should be quite an assortment of food.  This will be followed by three video presentations starting at 7:30 in the Library Community Room and the opening of the Society's Museum.  One video presentation describes who and what was here before Bennington was dedicated in 1887; another about the business district that established in the late 1800's, and the last is a centennial rememberance of the 1913 fire that destroyed much of the business district.  Come, bring the family and friend and celebrate our heritage.  For more information, call 402-614-7509 or 402-238-2145.

The Battle of Bennington:
An American Victory

(Collections of The Bennington Museum, Bennington, Vermont) D uring the summer of 1777, the British put in motion an ambitious campaign designed to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies and thereby crush the American rebellion. For two months, General John Burgoyne led his army down the Lake Champlain-Hudson River corridor toward Albany with apparent ease, capturing several American forts along the way. In August, however, he found himself in desperate need of provisions, wagons, cattle, and horses. Burgoyne then made the fateful decision to send an expeditionary force to the small town of Bennington, Vermont to capture these much needed supplies. At the Battle of Bennington, which took place between August 14 and 16, the British army and its Canadian, Indian, and Loyalist supporters faced Patriots defending their newly proclaimed independence. What might have seemed like a minor victory for the Patriots contributed to the British defeat at Saratoga a few months later and thus helped decide who would win the American War of Independence.

Reminders of Bennington's Past

Bennington Business Ghosts

How many of you remember the "Silver Dollar, Braesch Trucking, Bennington Plattdeutscher Verein, Almquist Feed Service?"   Our community recently lost a dear lady; Dorthy Sass.  Her smile and laughter were contagious!  Her family was going through some of her things and remembered the Bennington Historical Society and donated these items.  My, how they brought back memories!

I vividly remember the folks collecting the dollars bill dues when a member of the Plattdeutscher Verein passed away.  I remember the hamburgers and cigarette smoke in the Silver Dollar.  I remember how good the molasses smelled when Howard came to grinding feed on our farm.  I remember scooping and raking eared corn when Darrell came over to shell.  Good memories.  

These items will be added to our museum collection.  What memories do they trigger for you?  We have a few other museum items that might do that too; or, you just might learn something about the community you live in.  

The Bennington Historical Society Museum is now open every 1st and 3rd Sunday from noon to 2 pm and also my appointment.  Give us a look.  If you run across any memorabilia, please keep us in mind.  

Thanks to the Dorthy Sass family.   

Bennington Museum Open to Public

The Bennington Historical Society is proud to announce scheduled hours for its museum.  Doors will be open the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from noon to 2 pm.  The Museum is located on the northwest corner of Stark and Main Street. Volunteers will be there to answer your questions.

Come visit after church or bring the family after lunch and learn something about Bennington.  You may also contact the Society to make appointments for their club or group to tour the museum.  

We are also looking for old (pre-1980) Bennington Photos, business advertising and memorabilia.  Especially railroad, Plattduetsche Verein, Harvest Festival and Dutch Hall photographs, articles or stories.  Please share these items with your community.

For more information, please contact Linda Klabunde at 402-238-2145 or Gordon Mueller at 402-614-7509.  

A Grand Opening Success!!!

The Bennington Historical Society had the Grand Opening of their Museum on Saturday, June 16 on Bennington Daze.  About 125 people attended and viewed our displays.  The Museum is located on the NW corner of Stark and Main Street in the original, old, 1888-built hardware store operated by Augustus Witte.  Bob and Jan McKelvie now own the building and have graciously donated the use of the old drugstore portion of the building to the Society.

Bennington Historical Society Museum Grand Opening.  6,16,2013

The museum features displays on the local history, such as the Presidential land grants giving 160 acres of land to veterans who volunteered to serve in the War of 1812.  Items were also displayed from old Bennington business, old farm tools, school and church items and a little bit of everything to make it interesting.  

Linda Klabunde (right)

Special thanks goes to Linda Klabunde who was the project leader and to Society members and friends who helped organize and loaned items for display.  

As always, the Society is looking for old photographs and community related items.  If you have any, please consider sharing with us.  If anyone, has old photographs they would give or loan for us to scan it would be much appreciated.  We are looking for anything, pre-2000.  

We are also looking for ANY PICTURES of the old Harvest Festival, The Dutch Hall, and any Business photos.  

Once again, the Society had an entry in the Bennington Daze Parade; a 1918 Ford Model T pickup.  Tally-Ho!!

Come join us at the next meeting, the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 at the Library Community Room, east door. 

MUSEUM A HUGE SUCCESS!

Thanks to all who contrebuted their time and items.
June 15th was the Grand Opening of the Bennington Historical Museum. It was a GREAT DAY! Aprox, 125 people showed their support by stopping in. And the really good news is that all the reviews were very positive! Which was what we were hoping for.
Several people have offered to either donate or loan us items in the future and an equal number are looking to attend the meetings. Which are held in the community roon in Benn, at the Library building. First Wen. of the month at 6:30pm.
Here are just a few pictures.
                                                       ENJOY!    

                                  Scott Japp and a couple of admeiers

                                    Clancey Laaker, doing hosting duties

                                           Some of our many viewers

                                          Coleta handing out information

                               Two of our youngest fans, Jaden and Madison

                       Dee chating with  Joyce Graybill and her dance partner

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Dee and Julieshowing off the display of the Prussian uniform

Grand Opening of the Bennington Historical Museum

Ok everyone Saturday is our big day!   We'll be opening the Bennington Historical Museum.!
 We've been working very hard to make a proper place to display the things we have and hope that everyone who comes to see the displays will have ideas on displays in the future.
So wish us luck and come check us out Sat. June 15th from 10am-5pm  the corner of Main and Stark Streets.
Here is just a tease.

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Hope to see you there!



Ghosts of Bennington's Business District