What were you thinking Philip Schuyler, Benedict Arnold and John Trumbull?

Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 1:00 pm

ORWELL, Vt. – The Mount Independence State Historic Site presents on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM another in its series of programs “Inquiry into the Revolutionary Mind.”  This time the topic is “What Were You Thinking Philip Schuyler, Benedict Arnold, and John Trumbull?”

Modern day historian and site interpreter Paul Andriscin once again turns on the time machine to interview Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler, Gen. Benedict Arnold, and Lt. Col. John Trumbull about the decision 250 years ago on July 7, 1777, to build a new American defense on the “strong ground” opposite Ticonderoga on what would be called Mount Independence. Why did they think this location would best protect New England from the British enemy to the north? What was taking place on Lake Champlain before this decision? Site interpreters Michael Blakeslee, Adam Kemp, and Mark Brownell portray Schuyler, Arnold, and Trumbull.

The program is included in the regular site admission–$8.00 adults, $1.00 ages 6-16, under 6 free, and free for Green Mountain Passport holders and members of the Mount Independence Coalition. This is one of many programs at Mount Independence this year honoring the 250th anniversary of Mount Independence and the Declaration of Independence, for which it is named.

Mount Independence is located at 497 Mount Independence Road, Orwell, VT. It is open daily 10 to 5. The season is extended through to October 28, 2026, to salute the day in 1776 when the strong forces here on both sides of the lake helped the British to decide to return to Canada for the winter. It is a National Historic Landmark for its significance in the American Revolution. For questions, call 802-948-2000.