Ever wondered where the airport is on Old Airport Road? The industrial history of Monkton extends beyond the advent of airplanes to the colonial period. The State of Vermont was only a year old when Stephen Barnum quite literally stumbled upon an iron deposit on his newly purchased farmland in 1792, yet to be cleared. Six years later Stephen’s cousin Barnabas Barnum would be the first casualty in the Battle of Shelburne in 1778, on the future estate of the man who’d construct the Airport Road as a landing strip for his plane so he could assess his burgeoning Vermont Kaolin Corporation in the 1950s. Learn the story of the iron ore and kaolin industries in Monkton, and discover how these operations have shaped the landscape as we see it today.
Samantha Ford is the owner of Turn Stone Research. She researches and teaches Vermont’s history from a land-based perspective. A background as an Assistant Town Clerk first illuminated the vast treasure trove that are the Land Records housed in every town hall in the state. Focusing a historical lens on our landscapes forges new connections that allow us to become closer to our backyards, neighbors, and ancestors. Sam prefers to learn and teach outside, and can usually be found near old hill farms or cemeteries. Sam’s happiest when others are inspired to share their own personal history with her during a walk in the woods.
This will be an in-person meeting. However, the option to join the meeting using Zoom will still be available.
The agenda for the meeting and the Zoom invitation will be sent out on the day of the meeting.