Happy Birthday Ferrisburgh
Ferrisburgh in Vermont’s Addison County is gearing up for a big birthday party and a birthday of note. On June 24th, 1762 Ferrisburgh was incorporated, and on this June 24 the town will celebrate its 250th birthday. The town is spreading the word and preparing to share just what makes it so special.
Ferrisburgh in History
Town Clerk Chet Atkins and Assistant Clerk Pam Cousino described the town’s critical role in the defense of the Vergennes shipyard. “During the War of 1812, Fort Cassin was built at the mouth of the Otter Creek to protect Vergennes and the Vergennes shipyard,” said Atkins. “In 1814 the British were at the mouth of Otter Creek, blocking in the Americans who were building a fleet at Vergennes. To escape the blockade the Americans dug a passage from Otter Creek to Kellogg’s Bay in Lake Champlain. The Americans were successful in driving off the British. They then sailed to Plattsburgh and were part of the war effort to drive the British from Lake Champlain.”
Another important date in the town’d history was the opening of the Ferrisburgh Central School in 1955; this brought together the children of the whole town who had previously been schooled in different one room schools around the area. “It gave the children a chance to all meet and to be together,” shared Atkins. This central location went on to serve not only the children but the parents as well, focusing the attention of the town at meetings, events and school plays, sporting events and special presentations.
Rokeby, the Robinson family farmstead significant for its role in the Underground Railroad. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Join the Celebration
The 250th celebration will be held on June 23rd from 10:00-3:00 p.m. and most events will be held at the Ferrisburgh Central School, but there will also be special events at Rokeby Museum, the Maritime Museum and other sites that are still being scheduled in the area.
The theme of the celebration is Ferrisburgh, 250 Years of Farm, Family, and Fun, The 250th Birthday Celebration for the Town of Ferrisburgh. Watch for events including antique cars and antique tractor displays, horse drawn wagon rides and musicians and music throughout the day, a chicken barbecue at 1:00 pm, and old fashioned children’s games as well.The Historical Society building will be open with displays and local Farmer’s Market vendors will be on site and much more.
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