Saturday, October 17, 2026
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Join us as the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vermont, honors the important role of military chaplains during the Revolutionary War and their legacy that continues today in the Vermont National Guard.
A replica Revolutionary War wall tent, similar to those used on Mount Independence in 1776 and 1777, will be on display, set up with a cot and other items a chaplain may have had. A site interpreter in chaplain attire of the time will talk with visitors about how they would have lived. Members of the Vermont Army National Guard will have an informational table and will be pleased to talk with visitors. At 1:00 pm in the auditorium, site interpreter Michael Blakeslee will talk about the beginnings of the service of chaplains in the Revolutionary War and some of the notable chaplains who served at Mount Independence. These chaplains included Revs. William Emerson, David Tenent, and Ammi Robbins. Blakeslee will discuss their wide range of duties, from moral and spiritual support to medical care, and fighting if needed. Chaplain (Major) Eric Stuepfert, from the Vermont Army National Guard Chaplain Corps, will then discuss the current chaplain corps, how it has carried on this legacy and has evolved to meet today’s needs. Bring your stories and questions.
At 2:30 pm, Blakeslee will lead a guided walk, weather permitting, along the Baldwin Trail, to further explore the life of the soldiers, their role in building independence on Lake Champlain 250 years ago, and what they needed to survive this difficult duty.
Attendees are welcome to explore the museum and trails. A light lunch, for a modest fee, will be available. The program is included in regular admission: $8.00 for ages 17 and up, $1.00 for children 6 – 16, and under 6 free, free for active-duty service members and immediate families, veterans, Green Mountain Passport holders, and Mount Independence Coalition members. Call 802-948-2000 for more information.
The Mount Independence State Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War archeological sites. It is located at 497 Mount Independence Road, six miles west of the intersections of Vermont Routes 22A and 73 near Orwell village. Carefully follow the signs. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, and open in this 250th year through to October 28.
