The Bennington Battle Monument marks the military supply storage site in Vermont that was Burgoyne's military objective. His efforts to bolster his units' supplies were thwarted on August 16, 1777 at the Battle of Bennington, fought on New York soil about five miles from the location of the monument.
"There are the Red Coats; they will be ours or tonight Molly Stark sleeps a widow," uttered Colonel Stark with bravado as the battle began at about 3 p.m. that afternoon, and by 5, the British troops were hightailing it away from New England. British reinforcements under Colonel Heinrich von Breymann surprised the now exhausted colonial army, though. (I hope Mrs. Stark wasn't watching! Thankfully, this was pre-CNN.)
Suddenly, Colonel Seth Warner and his Green Mountain Boys appeared to aid the American effort, and by nightfall, the Brits were once again beating a fast path away from Bennington. The Americans' valuable supplies had been saved and, due largely to a lack of supplies and high casualties at the Battle of Bennington, Burgoyne surrendered his entire command of 8,000 troops less than two months later at Stillwater, New York, following the Battle of Saratoga.
The Bennington Battle Monument was constructed at a cost of $102,000 from blue-grey magnesian limestone. Today, an elevator takes visitors to the observation level, where they're treated to views of three states--New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont--which are particularly breathtaking during fall foliage season. The nearby gift shop offers souvenirs related to the monument and the American Revolution.
Hours: The Bennington Battle Monument is open daily mid-April through October 31 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is an admission fee to take the elevator to the observation level.
Getting There: Take Route 7 to the center of Bennington. In the center of town, take West Main Street (State Route 9) up the hill past The Bennington Museum and the Old First Church. Bear right sharply onto Monument Avenue, and you can't miss the monument--it's straight ahead.
For More Information: Call (802) 447-0550.
<< Back to The Bounty of Bennington
Related Resources:
The Old First Church and Robert Frost Gravesite
More New England Fall Foliage Resources from About.com
About.com.'s New England Foliage Central is your starting place for all of the information you need to plan a wonderful autumn getaway this year.
The New England for Visitors site's free email newsletter, About New England, keeps you up to date on what's happening in the region. Subscribe today!
Previous Features from your New England for Visitors Guide
