Vermont Covered Bridges to Fly 250th Anniversary Flags

Credit | Tim Carpenter

All 87 of the state’s historic covered bridges will be adorned with Betsy Ross flags for the nation’s 250th birthday

LUNENBURG — Vermont’s 87 historic covered bridges will fly official America’s 250th Anniversary flags this July 4 under a joint initiative by the Vermont Covered Bridge Society (VCBS) and the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation.

The effort will provide each of the 46 Vermont towns that own one or more historic covered bridges with an official Betsy Ross 250th Anniversary flag and mounting hardware, free of charge. The VCBS has secured $6,615 to purchase flags and hardware. The society has been coordinating with town clerks and selectboards in all 46 towns on installation logistics. Volunteers will distribute materials to clerks’ offices in mid-June, with most towns confirming that highway staff will handle installation.

“The logistics of this project have taken the work of countless volunteers throughout the state,” said VCBS Events Chair Gary Briggs. “I’m the town clerk and treasurer in my community of Lunenburg and I know the effort that will go into installing a flag on our Mt. Orne Covered Bridge. But I also know this is a unique opportunity for Vermont, as we will undoubtedly be the only state in the country to organize the flying of an official 250th Anniversary flag on 87 historic structures of the same type on July 4th.” Briggs joked, “It’ll certainly get us a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records!”

Founded in 2000, VCBS has worked to preserve Vermont’s historic covered bridges through education, stewardship and action. Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other U.S. state. When Briggs approached Laura Trieschmann, director of Vermont’s Division of Historic Preservation, she expressed immediate support. After an initial grant application was denied, Trieschmann secured funding through the Division of Historic Preservation to ensure the project would proceed.

“Vermont’s historic covered bridges are one of the state’s most significant tourist attractions,” said VCBS President Beth Brown-Limmer. “To dovetail Vermont’s historic covered bridges with American pride is a unique experience for residents and visitors alike.”

VCBS and the Division of Historic Preservation extend tremendous thanks to the many volunteers, town clerks, town managers, selectboard members and highway staff who have made this project a reality. The project was also made possible by a generous discount from Montpelier Stove & Flag Works.

Our thanks to The North Star Monthly for permission to republish this article.