Tucked away in the northeastern part of the United States, Vermont is a state that is known for its natural beauty. But there is more. What else makes Vermont unique and special? Why is it famous?
Ever wondered how the name Vermont came about? It has its origins in two separate French words. Vert meaning green and mont for mountain. This is directly linked to Vermont’s nickname – Green Mountain State. This is particularly apt because of the abundance of nature in the state.
What Makes Vermont Unique and Famous? What is it Known For?
Vermont is part of the New England region and was the 14th state to be admitted into the union. It is surrounded on three side by other states of the United States. These are Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. To the north of Vermont is Quebec.
So what exactly makes Vermont unique and what is it famous for?
Wooden Covered Bridges
A distinctive feature found in Vermont is its covered wooden bridges. There are more than 100 in the state and has the most number of covered bridges per square mile in the United States.
The bridges date as far back as 1820 with the majority of them being built in the middle to late 1800s. They were constructed over rivers in the rural parts of the northeast and have a roof to protect them from the weather.
The wooden covered bridges are great as photo spots. Some of them that you can visit include the Woodstock Middle Covered Bridge, Tafstville Covered Bridge and the Mill Brook Covered Bridge.
The presence of these wooden covered bridges give Vermont a charming touch.
Hildene
Robert Lincoln was the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to have made it to adulthood. He and his wife Mary had Hildene constructed as a summer home in 19o5. It is built in the Georgian revival style and is made up of several historic buildings.
In addition to visiting Robert and Mary’s home, there are is also a farm at Hildene. This goat dairy farm is a reminder that Robert was himself a gentleman farmer.
A key theme at the Hildene farm is of sustainability in the way that the farm is managed.
Ben & Jerry’s
One of the biggest exports from Vermont is the ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s. Visit their factory at Waterbury and go on a tour to discover how their world famous ice cream is made. Visitors should not miss out on the opportunity to sample whatever ice cream flavours are being made that day.
Pay respects at the Flavor Graveyard and see if any of the retired flavors ring a bell.
Non-conservative Rural Areas
The general rule goes that the more rural an area is, the more likely it is to be conservative. However, Vermont bucks that trend. Even though it is an highly rural state, it is amongst the most politically liberal states.
It is a hold out for hippies on the east coast of the United States – perhaps it was too far for them to make it across the country to San Francisco.
Landlocked New England State
Vermont is the only state amongst the New England states that is landlocked. The state of New Hampshire stands between Vermont and the Atlantic Ocean. This didn’t stop Vermont from declaring the Charlotte whale, a beluga whale skeleton, to be the state fossil on June 6, 1993. This was later replaced by the Mount Holly mammoth as the new state fossil in 2014.
Fall in Vermont
The foliage in Vermont just hits different at fall. During the fall season, the leaves turn different shades of colors, creating a most colorful picture between mid-September and mid-October.
It is so beautiful that travelers would often make plans to visit Vermont to experience it at peak foliage. In Southern Vermont, popular places to visit include the Lake Champlain Valley and the Connecticut River Valley. A small mountain town that is a popular destination during the fall season is Stowe.
The fall season in Vermont is also marked by festivals and special events.
Ban on Billboards
Vermont is so serious about its scenery that has banned billboards in the state. Billboards became illegal in Vermont in 1968. The only other states to have banned billboards are Alaska, Hawaii and Maine. This ban on billboards keeps the eyes firmly on Vermont’s natural beauty.
Vermont was Once Its Own Country
From January 15, 1777 to March 4, 1791, Vermont was its own country. The Vermont Republic was an independent state. Perhaps that’s why people who live in Vermont are so independently minded.
Maple Syrup is King
Don’t even think of bringing up breakfast syrup, pancake syrup or hotcake syrup. In Vermont, the only thing that will do is Vermont maple syrup. Even McDonald’s makes use of maple syrup. There are very strict laws in Vermont when it comes to maple syrup. The state is also the United States’ largest producer of maple syrup.
Shelburne Museum
Step into the Shelburne Museum to experience the richness of art and history. Closely tied to the interest of the museum’s founder Electra Haemeyer Webb, the Shelburne Museum’s collection includes American folk art, French Impressionist paintings, historic New England architecture, along with duck decoys, circus animals and dolls. It is an interesting museum for a visit. Find out more about the Shelburne Museum.
Billings Farm & Museum
Located in Woodstock, Billings Farm is a working dairy farm and interactive museum. There are regular activities such as meeting the farm’s sheep or learning how milking is done. It is a popular stop for families with children. There is also a cheese shop and a visitor center theatre that offers a look into how the farm operated.
Vermont’s Landmarks
There are more landmarks and places that make Vermont special and unique. These include Church Street Marketplace, the Vermont State House, Smugglers Notch State Park, Bennington Battle Monument and Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks.
Discovering What Makes Vermont Special And Unique
Vermont is famous for many different things, especially its natural environment and historic sights. The more you explore Vermont, the more you will discover many more things that make it a place to treasure..
