Join the Rochester Historical Society on one of their popular hikes to the Jones Mountain/Fassett Basin area of West Rochester. Learn about how these families contributed to Rochester’s effort in the Civil War. See where the Joshua Whitney family, featured in the original play “Ransom” lived during that period. The hike will be led by Bruce Flewelling and Joe Schenkman.

Meeting place will be at the parking area on the Jones Mountain Rd, which is off the West Hill Rd. Bring a snack or lunch, water, insect repellant and a camera. Hiking shoes or boots are recommend. The hike will take approximately 4 hrs and is rated as moderate. For information call Bruce Flewelling at 767-3263

City Point, Va Christmas Dec 25th 1864
“ And now you and Mr. Jones must write me the particulars of your doings and how you get along and I must know whether you have got a hired man or not and them potatoes must need sorting over by this time for will rot in deep piles and you need the room in the cellar where Carey potatoes are to spread your own. On the Recpt of this write to me directly.

Joshua Whitney

In the love of the savior I send you my love and best affections.”

Local Historical Societies around and near the White River will have displays relating to, in some instances, the 250^th celebrations of their towns, the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, and other community events. Speakers and artisan/crafters will be present. More information to follow.

Singer and researcher Linda Radtke, with pianist Arthur Zorn, brings Vermont history, including the Civil War, to life with engaging commentary about the songs discovered in the Vermont Historical Society’s collection of sheet music. Dressed in period costume, Ms. Radtke takes listeners through state history using the songs Vermonters published in their communities.

September 25
The Jones Mt. Road-1860
Explore some of the 9 home sites that were located along the Jones Mountain Road to Bingo Road.
Meet at the field on the Jones Mountain Road (off the West Hill Road ~ Route 73).
(Four hours – moderate)

October 2
The L-20 Airplane Crash
Hike to the location of the 1957 L-20 crash. See how close the plane was to clearing the mountain. Follow the trail that Harry Jay used to salvage wreckage.
Meet at the Brandon Gap parking lot on Rt. 73
( Four hours – moderate)

October 9
Mount Cushman
Hike up Mt. Cushman to the location of the former lookout tower. Learn the history of this tower, and other fire towers in Vermont. Meet at the end of town road maintenance on the Mt. Cushman Road
NOTE:  Parking very limited!!  Please car pool.
(Three hours – moderate to hard)

All hikes start at 10:00 AM, rain or shine. Good hiking footwear, water, lunch and insect repellant recommended. Bring your stories and pictures if you have any.
For more information, call Bruce Flewelling 767-3263.

Military Aircraft Crashes in the Green Mountains
April 25th from 1 to 3 PM at the Forest Service office on RT 100
Authors Brian Lindner and Bill Powers will present a slide show program on two military aircraft crashes in the Green Mountains. Learn about the B-24 “Liberator” bomber crash on Camel’s Hump in October of 1944 and the story of the one survivor. Then hear about the L-20 that crashed south of Brandon Gap in October, 1957 killing all aboard. Talk to folks (including Bill Powers and Tom Simpson) who went to the L-20 crash site that fall. Learn how a “Dowser” helped relocate the wreckage fifty years later.

This program will be held at April 25th from 1 to 3 PM at the Forest Service office on RT 100, north of Rochester.Free and open to the public, this program is sponsered by the Rochester Historical Society

Join the Rochester Historical Society as we explore the origins of local names.  You may have some names that we haven’t thought of to add to our list.

This program will take place on Sunday, March 28th, from 1 to 3 PM at the Forest Service office on RT. 100 north of Rochester.  All are welcome!

The trip is 3.5 miles in length and is rated moderate. You are welcome to do just a portion of the trip if you wish. At the end of the trip, there will be a campfire with marshmallows and hot chocolate and cider.

Meet at the junction of the West Hill road and FR #61, about 1.5 miles from RT 73. Parking is limited, so please car pool as much as possible. Additional parking is available on the Jones Mt. Road, and a shuttle will be provided.

Join us on a fall hike to see the home site of one of the first settlers of West Hill, Moses Kinsman.  The hike will continue on to the location mica test pit where explorations were being done for commercial mica mining.

The hike to the Kinsman site is on a class 4 town highway and is less than 3/4 of a mile round-trip.  Rated “easy”

The hike to the test pits is about 11/2 miles round-trip and is rated “moderate”.

Meet at the gate on Forest Service road 113, the 2nd right off the West Hill Rd.  Signs will be posted

Parking is limited, so try to car pool.  Long sleeved shirts, long pants and good hiking shoes are recommended.  Both hikes will be led by Bruce Flewelling.  If you have any pictures of the sites, or the West Hill area in general, please bring them to share.