Bennington Monument

    In order to understand the place in history of  Little Brown Jugs plus the relevance of their inscriptions, you have to understand the significance of the Battle Of Bennington, the Bennington Centennial, the celebration of Battle Day, and ultimately the building of the Bennington Monument.

The monument under construction 1887-1891
     The Bennington Battle Monument is 306 feet 4 and 1/2 inches tall; the cornerstone was laid in 1887, and the monument completed and dedicated in 1891.
     These photographs are of the monument under construction 1887-1891. During construction the blocks of dolomite stone are laid in a pattern know as headers and stretchers. The stones are cut at the site into long, thick blocks; the stretchers are laid lengthwise and the headers are laid with the ends to the outer wall running through to the inside of the structure. The joints are filled with coarse sand and Portland cement. The corner stone (thought to be the southeast corner) is seven feet long, more than two feet thick and is estimated to weigh five tons. On August 16, 1887 the Grand Lodge of Vermont Free and Accepted Masons lay the cornerstone which contains a time capsule filled with memorabilia. The image is also on display in the small gallery inside at the base of the monument.

Thank you Howard C. Ohlhous for this great history.
Colorization by Tim Wager

Monument is approximately half way complete.


Bennington Museum Collection
circa 1887 - Photo from Rt7 Harwood Hill 
Center left the Monument is under construction  

Photo by Joseph H. Hall 
Colorization by Tim Wager

Another later colorized Golden Oldie circa  1888

Colorization by Tim Wager

1888 - Construction of the Bennington Battle Monument with the 

Citizens Corp Band of Hoosick Falls lined up across Monument Ave. 


Bennington Museum / Madison Watson Collection

Colorization by Tim Wager
     The Bennington Banner reported that the capstone was put into place on Monday November 25, 1889.  If you would like to read the original article as it appears in the Bennington Banner of November  28, 1889 visit link below.

Bennington Museum Collection
Colorization by Tim Wager
Circa 1890's photo taken from the Old Town Farm property
(Molly Stark School) on Willow / Orchard Road looking west,

Bennington Museum / Madison Watson Collection

1890 - Before the landscapers showed up to build Monument Circle.


Bennington Museum Collection

Colorization by Tim Wager
Monument view from Monument Avenue.

Bennington Museum Collection
Colorization by Tim Wager
Photo taken by Mary Sanford 1890

     Barns at the bottom of Harwood Hill 

The advertisement on barn reads, Paines Celery Compound,

They started advertising on barns around 1890, 

the painters who did the work were known as "Wall Dogs"


Bennington Museum / Wills T White Collection

This glass plate negative was taken by Madison Watson, 

active in Bennington 1888-1899. 

Part of the Wiechert-Isselhardt Collection, 

Gift of Tordis llg Isselhardt and Museum Purchase.

Bennington Museum Collection.
1890 view of Joseph Levin's Peddler Wagonon Depot Street with Holden Leonard Mill and Monument in bacground.
Photo credit - Bennington History After Dirt Was Invented.
Colorization by Tim Wager