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Check out our events for 2026
2026 - 250th Events
July 8, 2026 - Sharing the Spirit of America
The premise of ‘Sharing the Spirit of America’ is pretty simple; to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and its first public reading on July 8, 1776, ‘Sharing the Spirit of America’ is the simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence across the country (and around the world) 250-years later, ‘together’ at the ‘same’ time.
‘Sharing the Spirit of America’ is focused on having people reading of the Declaration of Independence, each at their own local time that correlates with 6 pm (EDT), Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Each location will be reading the entire Declaration of Independence as a distinct activity; however, they are all part of a broader organized program. Because the readings are all commensurate with 6 pm (EDT), July 8, they are all happening simultaneously; thus, we will all be reading ‘together’. A list of all participating locations around the world is available at: https://hawaiiamerica250.org/reading-locations
For Bennington, our location will be at the Bennington Battle Monument. In addition to the reading, there will be a performance by the US Army Band starting at 4pm. The reading of the declaration will begin promptly at 6 pm.
July 14, 2026 - Stealing Liberty: Press Gangs, Sailors, and Liberty in America and Britain to 1783
British and American sailors by 1776 had a long history of resisting impressment, or their forced recruitment into the British navy. From hiding themselves away below decks or on land to outright rioting in the streets, sailors fought impressment, agreeing that being taken into service violated their own sense of liberty. As this talk will explore, that resentment continued in the years leading up to and during the American Revolutionary War, and sailors, politicians, and other radical thinkers used the subject of impressment to articulate bigger ideas about rights and liberty across the Atlantic. Presented by Dr. Sofia Zepeda at the Manchester Community Library located on 138 Cemetery Ave, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
July 18, 2026 - The Dorset Conventions
Join Jon Mathewson and Jonah Spivak to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this summer with a history lecture followed by a demonstration of the 1764 manual of arms musket drill outside. This program will take place at the Dorset Village Public Library, 13 Church Street in Dorset, on July 18th at 3:30pm.
Historian and author Jon Mathewson will talk about the 1775 and 1776 meetings that made up the Dorset Conventions. Learn what happened, why, and how the decisions made at those pivotal meetings still impact us today. During the war, the delegates had to decide what their relationships were with New Hampshire, New York, the Continental Congress, and the British. Jon will also talk about the long-standing confusion as to where the Dorset Conventions were held.
This program is open to all ages and is free.
July 25, 2026 - Ethan Allen tour
For the 250th anniversary, the Vermont Society Sons of the American Revolution are doing something extra special!
All day on Saturday, July 25, 2026, we are honoring Vermont’s original hero, patriot Green Mountain Boy Ethan Allen, with a one-time-only historian-guided tour of Ethan Allen places!
Register now by emailing Tom, in order to join us for a Burlington-area tour of:
1. The monumental VTSSAR-built 1905 Ethan Allen Tower – with its views of Lake Champlain - in Ethan Allen Park; 10 a.m.
2. picnic lunch in the pavilion followed by a special Ethan Allen tour at the Ethan Allen Homestead and museum
3. visit to the Fort Ethan Allen museum with historian/author J. Kevin Graffagnino
4. SAR and DAR and Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys wreath-laying honors at Ethan Allen’s remarkable monument in Burlington’s Greenmount Cemetery.
Payment ($24 p/p) must be received no later than Mon., July 20. Checks should be payable to Thomas Hughes, your tour leader, and sent to 126 Charles Avenue, Middlebury VT 05753. Checks postmarked by Thursday July 16 will arrive by the deadline.
July 25, 2026 - Special Tour “Monday Morning Quarterbacking the Battle”
2 to 3:30pm. Tour of Bennington Battlefield with a twist. Through guided conversation, participants will be encouraged to put on their metaphorical epaulets and consider what they might have done differently had they been in command.
August 13-16, 2026 - Bennington Battle Day Weekend
Food Truck Festival, Car Cruise In, Re-enactor Encampment, Programs, Parade. Various locations in Bennington, VT, and at the Bennington Battlefield in Hoosick Falls, NY. For details, visit our 2026 Battle of Bennington page.
August 16, 2026 - Battle Day Commemoration Ceremony
Our annual observance of the Battle and those who fought in it. 7pm at Bennington battlefield
September 11, 2026 - Remembering 9/11 Ceremony
Bennington, VT.
September 12, 2026 - Friends of the Battle of Bennington Member Event
more details to come!
September 16, 2026 - “to finish the war in One Year: British Planning for 1777”
Join Interpretive Programs Assistant David Pitlyk for his lecture from 6-7pm at the Caretaker’s House.
September 20, 2026 - Winter’s Time: The Murder that brought America’s most famous lawyer to Vermont
Author Lawrence Gooley reveals shocking discoveries made while researching Villainous Vermont, his collection of 32 true murder stories from the past. Learn about the murderess later cited as a Montpelier icon, unpunished vigilantes, the stomach-churning secrets behind a young girl’s death, the worst criminal incident in Vermont history, and more.
Lawrence Gooley is an award-winning author with a lifetime love of research, writing, and history. He has authored 22 regional books on history and true crime. For ten years he wrote a weekly history column on Adirondack Almanack, the region’s award-winning and most popular online journal. He and his partner, Jill Jones, founded Bloated Toe Enterprises in 2004. They have published over 100 titles including 35 historical Adirondack reprints of vintage books. His book, Oliver’s War: An Adirondack Rebel Battles the Rockefeller Fortune, won the Adirondack Literary Award for Best Book of Nonfiction in 2008. Another title, Terror in the Adirondacks: The True Story of Serial Killer Robert F. Garrow, was a regional best-seller for four consecutive years. Other best-sellers include Escape from Dannemora and 25 Diabolical Adirondack Murders.
2 pm Bennington Museum
September 26, 2026 - Special Tour “From Barns to Battles”
Join Historic Site Interpreter Alex Crowell to learn about the agricultural and architectural history of the landscape of Bennington Battlefield. Meet at the Caretaker’s House, from 2-3:30pm.
October 10, 2026 - Guided Fall Foliage Hike
Join staff from 1:30-3:00pm for a hike of the Battlefield Loop Trail to enjoy the sites history to an autumn backdrop. Trail is approximately one mile over easy-moderate terrain.
October 17, 2026 - Nosferatu Screening
Join us at 7pm at the Caretaker’s House for classic scares as we watch the original 1922 Nosferatu.
October 24, 2026 - Cider and Donuts
Fall-themed family fun mixed with history. Activities for kids, special tours and pit cooking demonstration. Also: free cider and donuts! located on Caretaker Road, Barnett House, Bennington Battlefield,
November 7, 2026 - Final Tour Weekend
Final battlefield tours of the season, where we will learn about the Battle of Bennington and tour points of interest at the first engagement of the battle. Mix of walking and driving required. 10-11:30am & 1-2:30pm.
November 11, 2026 - Veterans Day Ceremony
located at the Bennington Battlefield. Sharing and honoring the stories of those who served our country in the military throughout its history. Beginning at 2 pm; Hessian Hill (weather permitting)
September 2027 - Pawlet in 1777: An Interactive Historical Reenactment
More information to come!
Past Events for 2026
February 5, 2026 – “In Time”
Enjoy a Live History event where audience members will follow their own chosen path in order to complete missions, tasks, clues and speak to the characters. Actors portraying Jonas Fay, General Christopher Roberts, Ira Allen, and Judge Mark T. Skinner will spend the day in the Manchester Community Library greeting and chatting with patrons and students as they wind their way through the building immersing themselves in social history. This is an open event that allows participants to arrive in 15-minute intervals and wander the halls of history speaking to the Northshire’s most influential Revolutionary characters while participating in a scavenger hunt for history. The event will take place on Thursday, February 5th from noon to 6pm.
February 7, 2026 - Lost Nation by Jay Craven Screening
1 pm at Mettawee Community School: free screening of Lost Nation with Q & A following. Snow date is February 8. Route 153, West Pawlet, VT
Free and Accessible to All
March 6, 2026 - 250 for the 250th
Join the Cause! The Bennington Regional 250th Anniversary Committee is seeking 250 people to donate $250 to support the 250th anniversaries. The money raised will go to support events, educations efforts, creative works, monuments, and special projects related to the 250th anniversaries that started this year and will continue through 2027. This special group of supporters will enjoy discounts on 250th events and merchandise throughout the anniversary period, invitations to special events, an exclusive newsletter, preferred seating at ticketed events, and their signature on a special 250th proclamation which will be on display for the three year anniversary period and will be included in a time capsule at the end of 2027 to be opened in 2077.
Sign up today to attend our inaugural “250 for the 250th” event which will be held on March 6, 2026 from 5-8 pm at Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington, VT. Sign up here. Each donor to this event will receive a special Bennington 250 pin, and a themed lapel pin for each of the three anniversary years, with the 2025 pin honoring the Expedition to Ticonderoga.
Honor history, by becoming part of history!
March 11, 2026 - Book club meeting - Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence, by Carol Berkin
The first book club meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 11th at 6:00pm, where we will discuss Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin. A description and where to find a copy of the book are below. Following monthly meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm. Our meetings will take place over Zoom, where we will discuss the current novel and answer discussion questions moderated by site staff. We will conclude with a brief vote on the new book for the next month based on a predetermined reading list. Follow this link if you'd like to join.
please email benningtonbattlefieldSHS@parks.ny.gov with any questions
March 14, 2026 - Ira Allen
Presentation by Kevin Graffagnino, will be at MCL on Saturday, March 14th at 1pm to give his talk on Ira Allen. Land speculator, revolutionary, pamphleteer, politician, and empire-builder, Ira Allen was a key figure on the late eighteenth-century Green Mountain frontier. Based on his new book Ira Allen: A Biography, J. Kevin Graffagnino’s lively talk evaluates Allen’s checkered career and makes the case for including him in our picture of Vermont’s formative decades. Located on 138 Cemetery Ave, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
March 21, 2026 - Families and Freedom Journeys in the Revolutionary Northeast
The American Revolutionary era and its aftermath presented tremendous challenges to families across the Northeast. Members of diverse communities and sovereign nations contended with rapid upheavals, relocations, scarcity of food and resources, and contested allegiances and visions of the future. This presentation illuminates the experiences of Native American, African American, and Euro-colonial women who strategized to protect their own and their families' needs and goals. Drawing from a forthcoming book featuring the intertwined stories of Violet Freeman, Ruth Waukeet, and Mary Stiles, it explores how they envisioned and pursued family wellbeing, material security, stability in cherished places, and other priorities. For each of these women, concepts like "freedom" and "independence" held distinct meanings. These meanings profoundly shaped their pathways forward, oftentimes across great distances, and disparate forms of power and opportunity. The presentation also considers methods for approaching Revolutionary stories that are only partially present in conventional written archives, but that invite close reckoning with other sources and forms of memory. Presentation by Prof. Christine DeLucia at the Manchester Community Library located on 138 Cemetery Ave, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
March 22, 2026 - Turn the Page in 2026: A Call to Read
A Call to Read, Bennington Free’s Library’s reading challenge will host its first event Sunday, March 22 at 2pm
Join us at the Library for an afternoon discussion of A Continued Clap of Thunder: Essays to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, edited by Damien McCaffrey and Tyler Resch. This will be informal afternoon discussion with light refreshments and music. Copies of A Continued Clap of Thunder will be available for purchase. The Bennington Museum donated 10 copies of A Continued Clap of Thunder that are available for readers to borrow before the event from the library’s Circulation Desk.
April 7, 2026 - Poetry Month: Lucy Terry Prince
Lucy Prince lived in Sunderland for about 25 years between 1795 and 1821. Three children lived with her in a small shack; they struggled to get by. She is best known today as our country's first African American poet. She wrote the poem "Bars Fight" in 1746, when she was 21 years old and enslaved in Deerfield, . Lucy was considered devoutly religious and was a member of the Manchester Congregational Church. In this presentation you will learn about her life, her descendants, and her struggles to fit into a white society here in southern Vermont. Presented by Avis Hayden & Kiev Rattee from 5:30-7p.m. at the Manchester Community Library located on 138 Cemetery Ave, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
April 19, 2026 - Burgoyne’s Objective: Old Bennington and the Continental Storehouse
In 1777, British General John Burgoyne sent troops toward Bennington to capture supplies held in a Continental storehouse, setting the stage for the Battle of Bennington… In this presentation, historian Bob Hoar will explore the two most important men behind gathering those supplies: original Bennington settler, church deacon, and revolutionary Republican, John Fassett; and Hamilton Federalist and future governor, Isaac Tichenor. Bob will also discuss the buildings that were used as storehouses and what became of them after the Battle of Bennington, as well as the history of the State Arms house – the Vermont Republic’s storehouse during the turbulent 1780s.
Bob Hoar is a local historian who has embraced the complex stories of colonial history. Bob has done many history presentations and events, worked at the Bennington Battlefield, and currently volunteers at the Bennington Battle Monument in the summer. You can find him on Facebook posting as Battle of Bennington.
2 pm Bennington Museum
May 2, 2026 - Love My Park Day and theorem painting Workshop
“Love My Park Day” at 10 am followed by a Theorem Painting Workshop, 1 – 3 pm. Fee $7/person pre-registration required; call 518-686-4438
May 7, 2026 - Beyond Bennington: Vermont as a Borderland and Cultural Crossroads during the Revolution and Early Republic
Reconsidering the Revolution in Vermont as more complicated than a fight for Independence to become the Fourteenth State, Colin Calloway will focus on half a dozen individuals to provide glimpses of a world where history, experiences, loyalties, identities, and choices were not predetermined by modern political boundaries. From 530 to 7pm at the Manchester Community Library located on 138 Cemetery Ave, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
May 16, 2026 - Hoosick History and Heritage Fair
At the Hoosick Falls Armory, and Bennington Battlefield from 10am - 3:00pm. Hoosick Falls, NY and Bennington, VT.
Regional Historical Societies & Sites
Free trolley to the Battlefield & back, Living History & interactive family activities at the battlefield
Armed Forces Day Remembrance hosted by LIII Red Knights Motorcycle Club at noon Located at the Maple Grove Cemetery.
May 17, 2026 - The Story of Hiram Bingham
The remarkable story of the Binghams starts with Hiram Bingham who farmed on the future site of Bennington College in the early 1800s. He and his descendants impacted people and nations around the world. Bingham, and his son, grandson, and great-grandson, influenced the modern history of Hawaii and other Pacific islands, the discovery of Machu Picchu in Peru, politics in Connecticut, the escape of 2,500 Jews from Nazi-occupied France, and a U.S. postage stamp.
Rev. Glen Bayly became interested in the Binghams during the 1990s, when he was the pastor of the Mission Alliance Church in Bennington. When a missionary from the church came back from Honolulu with a photograph of a plaque honoring Hiram Bingham of Bennington, Vermont, Glen’s curiosity was piqued and his research began. Glen served 40 years of ministry as a pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, was a campus minister at Penn State University for 7 years, and hosted a syndicated radio program, ‘The Lions’ Den University Report’ for 22 years. He and his wife, Darlene, have lived in Central Pennsylvania for the past 25 years.
2 pm Bennington Museum
May 30, 2026 - Ann Story site marker ceremony
Dedication of an official VT Historic Site Roadside Marker to celebrate the heroism and legacy of the "mother of the Green Mountain Boys," Ann Story. World premiere live performance of "ANN STORY: A Place Among You" directed by Kevin Commins. Wreath-laying monument re-dedication at Story cabin site. Free admission. Parking in meadows. Picnicking allowed, if weather permits. Hosted by Friends of Ann Story, working with partner non-profit organizations.
location: down Story Drive, in western Salisbury VT between U.S. route 7 and VT route 30.
May 30, 2026 - Reading with Parks program
10am at Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls, NY.
May 30, 2026 - Bennington Battlefield Public Tour
Join staff for the first tour of the 2026 season as we learn about Battle of Bennington while touring points of interest from the first engagement of the battle. Mix of driving & walking required.
June 14, 2026 - Living the Colonial Life
presented by Jim Dassatti at Wilmington Town Hall, 2 East Main St, 2:00pm. Vermont 250 display open for viewing.
June 14, 2026-Harriman Reservoir Eagles through the Years
presented at Pettee Memorial Library, 16 South Main St, 4:00pm. Photographs of our local eagles with local eagle expert and photographer, Nicki Steel.
June 14, 2026 - Flag Day Ceremony
Community Flag Day Ceremony at the Elks Club located at 125 Washington Ave, Bennington. Ceremony begins at 12:30 pm. Color guard, patriotic music, flag history recitation and honoring of recipients of flags. Keynote speaker is Jonah Spivak, VT 250th Commissioner and chair of the Bennington 250 Anniversary Planning Committee. A musket salute by the “Green Mountain Boys” will end the ceremony and refreshments are provided.
June 14, 2026 - Flag Day Drill/Muster
The Green Mountain Boys will do a drill / muster at the Bennington Battle Monument from 2 pm to 3 pm.
June 14, 2026 - Flag Day Fun
Stop by Bennington Battlefield for a kid’s craft program. The Bennington Battlefield is located six miles from Bennington on Route 67 in Walloomsac, NY. RSVP to benningtonbattlefieldshs@parks.ny.gov
June 13 & 20, 2026 - Hearth cooking workshop
11 am – 1 pm, Bennington Battlefield at the Caretaker’s House, $25/ person. Two different programs with different recipes. Pre-registration required. 518-686-4438
June 18, 2026 - Zadock Thompson and the Story of Vermont
Vermont 250 presents a Vermont Humanities talk with Kevin Graffagnino. 7:00pm, OSEC, 1 School St, Wilmington. Historian, naturalist, professor, and minister, Zadock Thompson (1796-1856) played a significant role in how nineteenth-century Vermonters viewed their state’s heritage and appreciated its natural resources. Vermont 250 display open for viewing.
June 19, 2026 - Wilmington Restaurant Week
Wilmington Restaurant Week presented by Wilmington Works www.wilmingtonworksvt.com @wilmingtonworks Participating restaurants will offer special menus, exclusive deals, and delicious new flavors, giving you a flavorful excuse to try something new and support locally. And to sweeten the deal, everyone who participates has a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to any restaurant featured in Restaurant Week!
June 19 - July 4: CIVIC SEASON
50 Things to Do Before the 250th! A spirit of civic service inspired individuals of all ages to contribute to the fight for independence during the American Revolution. There are many ways to make a difference in your community through acts of service. Chances are, you may already be doing many of them. Challenge yourself (and your friends!) to see who can complete the most items on this list before the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Additional community engagement resources are available at THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Engagement Resource Center at pbs.org/americanrevolution/resources. DOWNLOAD the list of 50 things you can do.
June 20, 2026 - Battle of Valcour Island
presented by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, 3:30pm, OSEC, 1 School St, Wilmington. The remnants of a battle generally regarded as one of the first naval battles of the American Revolutionary War, and one of the first fought by the Continental Navy are a part of Vermont’s history. Archaeologist Taylor Picard’s talk will detail the historic Battle of Valcour from the buildup of both the British and Patriot fleets to its final moments in Arnold's Bay through the lens of archaeology.
June 20, 2026 - Battle of Valcour Island
presented by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, 3:30pm, OSEC, 1 School St, Wilmington. The remnants of a battle generally regarded as one of the first naval battles of the American Revolutionary War, and one of the first fought by the Continental Navy are a part of Vermont’s history. Archaeologist Taylor Picard’s talk will detail the historic Battle of Valcour from the buildup of both the British and Patriot fleets to its final moments in Arnold's Bay through the lens of archaeology.
June 21, 2026 - Father’s Day Guided Hike
At the Bennington Battlefield, 2-3pm.
June 21, 2026 - Artillery at the Battle of Bennington
Cannons played a small but notable role in the seminal August 16, 1777, Battle of Bennington. Made in England, the guns and their carriages constituted top-of-the-line military technology for the time. The men who manned, loaded, and fired the pieces were German subsidiary troops hired by the British government to supplement its war effort. Paned by Thomas Jefferson’s propagandistic pen as foreign “mercenaries,” these Hessians were, come to find out, no such thing. In this program, Eric Schnitzer will examine how the cannons were employed in battle and investigate the material culture of the cannon barrels, carriages, and the projectiles they shot. He will also explore the backgrounds and some of the stories of the officers and soldiers from Hessen-Hanau who operated these artillery pieces in both phases of the famed battle.
Eric Schnitzer has worked at Saratoga National Historical Park since 1997, becoming Park Ranger/Historian in 2000. Author of Don Troiani’s Campaign to Saratoga – 1777, he has dedicated his life’s study to the organization, personnel, and material culture of the military forces associated with the Northern Campaign of 1777. He and his wife, Jenna, live in an 18th -century house in the White Creek Historic District near Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site, N.Y.
2 pm Bennington Museum
July 4, 2026 - 250th Anniversary Hometown 4th of July Celebration
250th Anniversary Declaration of Independence Celebration - July 4th
We are pleased to announce the 250th Anniversary 4th of July Celebration which brings together long‑standing traditions and new collaborations for a full day of historic commemoration and community fun celebrating America’s birthday.
The 4th of July commemorations begin at the Bennington Battle Monument, where two long‑running ceremonies—the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Bennington Rotary’s bell‑ringing program—will be combined into a single, expanded event.
The event starts with music, re-enactor drills, and information tables at 11:00 am. While some chairs will be available for the elderly, plan to arrive early and bring your own chair for seating beginning at 11:30 am for the ceremonies. The first program is the reading of the Declaration of Independence which starts at 12:00 noon, with re-enactors providing a musket salute.
This is followed by a special bell‑ringing ceremony using a bell borrowed from the Vermont Veterans Home which will be rung 13 times in honor of the original 13 colonies, and a 14th time in honor of the republic of Vermont. Each year the Bennington Rotary chooses an individual or organization to be the 14th bell ringer in honor of their service to the community. This year the honor is going to the VFW Post #1332 for their exceptional dedication to veterans and to the community as a whole. The public will be invited to ring the bell after the ceremony.
A final bell ringing will occur at 1:30 pm in conjunction with bells around the town for an additional 14 rings. Bells being rung include the Veterans Home bell at the Monument, the USS Bennington bell at the Town Offices, the Old First Church bell, St. Peters Episcopal Church bell, St. Francis De Sales Church bell, and the First Baptist Church. The public is invited to also ring bells fourteen times at 1:30 pm to be part of the celebration.
At 2:30 PM, the celebration continues at the Bennington Battlefield in Hoosick, NY, where interpreters in period garb will present a living painting of the Declaration of Independence. Free hot dogs will be available. An early arrival is suggested to allow time for parking.
Festivities shift to Willow Park at 5:00 PM for America’s Birthday Party, featuring free cake thanks to the VFW Post #1332 and the VFW Auxiliary. There will also be vendors, food trucks, live music by the Fourth Floor and Mojo Birds, and family activities including bouncy houses.
The evening concludes with a 9:30 pm fireworks display, with Bennington’s largest-ever fireworks show lighting up the sky to cap off the 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence. Rain date for Fireworks only is July 11. We are grateful to Price Chopper / Market 32, Casella, MSK Engineering, and Bennington taxpayers for their support for making this the biggest fireworks show ever for Bennington.
DOWNLOAD the Schedule and Events Map
July 5, 2026 - The Great Bennington Battle and Vermont
1 p.m. speaking event with Howard Coffin. Pawlet Town Hall. An ice cream sundae social will follow. This event is free and open to the public.
Curios what we did in 2025? Check out our 2025 Events Archive page.