Vermont Towns Raise 250th Anniversary Flags on Historic Covered Bridges Ahead of July 4

Vermont Towns Raise 250th Anniversary Flags on Historic Covered Bridges Ahead of July 4

First flags fly in Waterville, Weathersfield, and Shrewsbury as a statewide VCBS–state partnership reaches the towns

MONTPELIER, Vt.  (June 30, 2026)—With the Fourth of July approaching, official America’s 250th Anniversary Betsy Ross flags are now going up on historic covered bridges across Vermont, as towns embrace a statewide initiative led by the Vermont Covered Bridge Society (VCBS) in partnership with the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VDHP).

Under the initiative, each of the 46 Vermont towns owning one or more historic covered bridges is being provided an official Betsy Ross 250th Anniversary flag and mounting hardware free of charge. In all, the flags are slated to fly on the state’s 87 historic covered bridges, with volunteers delivering materials to town clerks’ offices and local highway crews handling most installations. VCBS secured $6,615 to cover the flags and hardware, including $5,000 from the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and $1,615 from the Society.

The goal is to have flags flying by July 4, the nation’s 250th birthday. The duration of the display is left to each town, though VCBS supports flying the flags through the end of December 2027, the close of the national commemorative period recognized by most organizations.

“Seeing the flags on covered bridges from one end of Vermont to the other has been incredibly rewarding,” said Gary Briggs, VCBS Events Chair and Lunenburg Town Clerk. “This is what can happen when the public and private sectors come together around a common goal. The credit belongs to the town clerks, road crews and volunteers in communities across the state who made it happen—and to the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation for supporting the project from the start.”

“Vermont’s covered bridges are part of who we are. They’ve connected our towns for generations and stand as a testament to the quality craftsmanship and hard work of those who came before us. As America marks its 250th birthday, displaying Betsy Ross flags on all 87 of our historic covered bridges is a wonderful way to celebrate our country’s history while honoring a tradition that continues to make Vermont special. My thanks to the Vermont Covered Bridge Society and the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation for their dedication to this project,” said Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers.

VCBS extends its appreciation to the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and its director, Laura Trieschmann, whose support secured the funding that made the project possible. The flag project has also been recognized by the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission, established by Gov. Phil Scott to coordinate the state’s observance of America’s milestone. VCBS believes Vermont is the only state in the country organizing a statewide 250th celebration centered on historic covered bridges.

As more flags are raised in the coming days, VCBS invites residents and visitors to view and share photographs through the Society’s 250th Anniversary photo gallery at vermontbridges.org.

The Vermont Covered Bridge Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, documentation, and celebration of Vermont’s historic covered bridges. Through education, stewardship, and community engagement, the VCBS works to ensure these treasured landmarks endure for generations to come. Learn more at vermontbridges.org.