A few blocks away from Burlington's city hall park, this marker points out the home of one of…read moreAmerica's First Ladies. I didn't know but now you do. The marker reads, "On Oct. 4, 1905, at 2:30 p.m. in front of the bay window in the parlor of this house, Grace Goodhue married Calvin Coolidge of Plymouth Notch, VT. Calvin Coolidge became President of the United States and Grace served as First Lady from 1923-1929. Built in 1899, the house at 312 Maple Street was the family home of Capt. Andrew Goodhue, his wife Lemira, and their only child Grace Anna. Capt. Goodhue was federal steamboat inspector for the Lake Champlain Transport Co. The Goodhue family moved here while Grace was a student at the University of Vermont. Grace was a founding member of the VT Chapter of Pi Beta Phi, the first national college fraternity for women. The house was restored in 1993 by Champlain College." The marker was erected in 1997 by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. It does not have a number. Calvin Coolidge served as 30th POTUS from 1923 to 1939. Grace moved to Northampton, Massachusetts, to work at the Clarke School for the Deaf, where she taught deaf children to communicate through lip reading rather than sign language. That was where she met Calvin Coolidge. As her husband advanced in politics, Grace remained largely out of the political spotlight, focusing on her family and various charitable activities. She became the Second Lady of the United States in 1921 when Calvin Coolidge was elected Vice President, and later the First Lady when he became President in 1923. Grace was known for her wit, charm, and dedication to causes such as the Red Cross and the Visiting Nurse Association. Grace passed away in 1957 and was buried in Plymouth, Vermont, beside her husband and son. [Review 2087 of 2024 - 163 in Vermont - 23106 overall]

This marker is opposite Burlington City Hall and points out the origin of a local civic…read moreorganization. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "The Green Mountain Club was born at a meeting of Vermont hiking enthusiasts in the Van Ness House hotel, which stood on this site from 1870 until it burned in 1951. The club's mission is to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." This resulted in the Long Trail, the first long-distance hiking trail in the nation. Vermont's "footpath in the wilderness, the Long Trail traces a roughly 272-mile path along the high ridges of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada, crossing Vermont's highest peaks. The trail, completed in 1930, continues to be maintained by the club. The Green Mountain Club's founder, James P. Taylor, lived in the Van Ness House much of his adult life." The marker was erected in 2019 by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation. There is metered street parking nearby. [Review 2086 of 2024 - 162 in Vermont - 23105 overall]

Large assembly hall for talks and presentations, located on the northwest corner of the "University…read moreGreen" in Burlington, Vermont. The building was constructed during 1925-26, and dedicated on January 14, 1927. It was added to National Register of Historic Places as part of University Green Historic District on April 14, 1975.

You've heard of Nessie, the monster under Scotland's Loch Ness? Well, Nessie has a cousin and it's…read morename is Champ. Champ lives under Lake Champlain. Allegedly, a water-dinosaur with a long neck, small head, long tail and flippered feet. Yes, Champ. This stone near the lake provides an image of Champ looking rather smiley, and her official scientific name, Belua Aquatica Champlainiensis. Incidentally, Champ has been labeled as an officially protected species by the government of Vermont. I had several opportunities to spot Champ but never did. Even stopping here at night when it's allegedly the best time to spot lake monsters. Didn't see her. Maybe you'll have better luck. [Review 18516 overall - 114 in Vermont - 2038 of 2022.]

Located near the northwest corner of City Hall Park, Vermont commemorates a more modern piece of…read morehistory that took place here. The marker is adjacent to the Burlington Civil War Memorial and faces Burlington City Hall. On the front, it reads "In 1983, a group of lesbian feminists began planning for the first Vermont Pride march to be held in Burlington and invited the gay male community to join. At the time, public celebration of pride in Vermont was controversial. Vermonters attended marches in larger cities where it was safe to be visible commemorating the Stonewall uprising of June 1969 in NYC, the beginning of the national LGBT Pride movement. Linking the struggles to racism, classism and Anti-Semitism, planners of the Vermont event asked for the endorsement of government officials and over 300 organizations. Despite some vigorous opposition, Burlington's Board of Alderman ultimately endorsed the march in a 6-5 vote." And on the reverse, "Vermont's first Pride March was entitled the "Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade and Celebration" with the theme Water Won't Run Straight and Neither Will We. The rally on June 25, 1983, which was proclaimed as Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, was held in City Hall Park, and was followed by a parade through the business district. In a sea of purple balloons, over 350 courageous marchers risked physical safety, jobs, housing, and relationships with family to be openly visible in their home state. Vermonters have rallied every year since 1983 across the Green Mountain State to continue the movement for sexual orientation and gender identity rights and the freedom to live safely and love who they love." Welcome to Vermont. There is metered street parking all around. [Review 1645 of 2024 - 134 in Vermont - 22668 overall]

The obelisk at the center of the square opposite Plattsburgh City Hall is the 135-foot-tall (41 m)…read moreMacdonough Monument that honors the victory of American soldiers and sailors in the Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain. It was the end of the final British invasion of the War of 1812 and it took place in September 1914. Lieutenant (later Commodore) Thomas Macdonough, commanding the American naval forces on the Lake, established a secure base at Otter Creek (Vermont), and constructed several gunboats. Among them, the USS Eagle, USS Saratoga, the USS Ticonderoga and the USS Preble. The British were able to construct the HMS Confiance along with the gunboats Chubb, Linnet and Finch. Many of the British dead, not including the officers, were buried in an unmarked mass grave on nearby Crab Island, the site of the military hospital during the battle, where they remain today. On a normal day, the monument is open and can be climbed. There are 156 steps to the top and a 360 degree view. [Review 1611 of 2024 - 524 in New York - 22634 overall]

I'm a lover of the hard to find on my trips across the states, and this was something I'd read…read moreabout in my art history classes but never dreamed I'm stumble across on my journey up to Canada. It's quite a sight to see - two giant whale's tails emerging from the ground next to the interstate! I didn't get a chance to stop over and explore it up close unfortunately due to time, but there's directions on the artist's website if you want to get a closer look (and it's encouraged!). A real roadside treat for any driver. Plus I find it funny that it's now the cover of the book I used in art history class... full circle, full circle.

Love it here! Super supportive staff that is wonderfully personable. They have helped with name…read morechange, housing ideas and hosting great groups for fun and support. Not just 5 out of 5, they are 10 out of 10!