Built to commemorate the Battle of Bennington that was fought during the American Revolutionary War, the Bennington Battle Monument is a 306-foot-high stone obelisk that defines the city Bennington, Vermont. Being the tallest structure in Vermont and a major attraction for the southern region of the state highlights the impact it has made, with new opportunities for the city and region being further developed and opened up on a regular basis.
Commemorating the Battle of Bennington
The Battle of Bennington was fought in August of 1777 several miles west of the modern city of Bennington. During the fight, Brigadier General John Stark, Colonel Seth Warner and a few other commanders with their units defeated two detachments the British army. The British were trying capture supplies that were located in a military storehouse where the Bennington Battle Monument now stands. Their loss and lack of supplies weakened the British force, while the victory increased American morale and has been mentioned as the turning point in the war.
An effort to create a monument that celebrated this event began in began in 1876 with the incorporation of the Bennington Battle Monument Association. The monument’s cornerstone was laid in 1887 and it was completed in November 1889. Constructed from blue-grey magnesian limestone, the monument resides in the village of Old Bennington, which is located entirely within the town of Bennington.
Other statues and monuments on the grounds were installed in later years. They include statues that depict both Brigadier General Stark and Colonel Warner as well a large granite boulder with a bronze tablet. It was placed in honor of General Stark and the 1,400 New Hampshire men who were involved in the Battle of Bennington.
Owned by the State of Vermont and supported by The Friends of the Monument, the Bennington Battle Monument features an observation deck at the top of a 417-step flight of stairs, offering stunning views of Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. Visitors can also engage with literal pieces of history that have been preserved at the monument as well as information on how the monument was built.
These experiences along with the sheer size and scope of the monument itself have enabled it to have a noticeable impact on the economy and culture of Bennington that extends across all of Vermont.
Merchandise, Community Identity and More
The Monument Gift Shop offers a unique selection of quality merchandise relating to the Battle and the Monument. The items available to purchase are specific to the location, having been inspired by the social, geographical and economic factors of the region over the decades.
A number of events are scheduled at the Monument each year. They include a Mother’s Day gathering, the Reading and Celebration of the Declaration of Independence, Historic Walks and the annual Battle Day 5K road race, just to name a few. An entire weekend is set aside in August every year to commemorate when the Battle of Bennington took place.
Imagery of the Bennington Battle Monument has also been used by various organizations to define their identity, including the village of Old Bennington. It is featured in various maps and guides and highlighted all across the state of Vermont as a top attraction, all of which have defined the community connection to the monument that has directly and indirectly driven revenue for many organizations in the region.
Tourists from around the world come to Vermont to see the Bennington Battle Monument, which is also a Vermont State Historic Site cherished by residents. This connection personifies the incredible legacy monuments can represents for audiences in the present and future.
A Legacy that Connects the Past to the Future
While the history associated with the Battle of Bennington compelled the creation of the Bennington Battle Monument, the existence of the landmark is about much more than a single event. The monument represents a legacy that connects the past to the future of the city and the entire region in Vermont, showcasing the literal and symbolic power of monuments to impact audiences and communities of multiple eras.
