Vacation Ideas: The Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington, Vermont, USA

nThe Ethan Allen Homestead is a short drive from downtown Burlington, Vermont. The scenery is spectacular. Stop for a riverside picnic or walk. The Homestead depicts the lifestyles lived in the 18th century, and a close look at one of Vermont’s most colorful and controversial founders – Ethan Allen.

The museum and house are open on a limited basis. The homestead and grounds are open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Enjoy a 20 minute historic tale in the foyer of the museum building that runs every twenty minutes. River views are spectacular and cross country ski trails are perfect for those who enjoy cross country skiing.

Guided tours are offered starting June 15, Friday – Sunday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Contact them at 802-363-3330 or 802-434-2635 for a current schedule.

Ethan Allen was born in Litchfield, Connecticut in 1738 as the eldest of the eight children of Joseph and Mary Allen. Of his siblings, his youngest brother, Ira is best known as the founder of the University of Vermont in 1791 as well as an influential member of the government of the Republic of Vermont.

Ethan Allen became a folk hero in Vermont. He was an unusually flamboyant backwoodsman who served as statesman from Connecticut. He was one of the earliest residents of Burlington, Vermont where he lived on this property in the Winooski River from 1787 until his death in 1789. His contributions to the history of Vermont are significant. He is best known for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War and his leadership of the Green Mountain Boys. In addition, he was also a Deist and philosopher and toward the end of his life he published “Reason the Only Oracle of Man,” rewritten from a manuscript he and Dr. Thomas Young, a Deist friend and mentor from Connecticut wrote together years earlier.

There are no portraits of Ethan Allen, however, by most accounts we can assume he was over six feet tall, was a confrontational, even belligerent person, yet attracted the most devoted and loyal followers. He was persistent and independent like many frontiersmen. He was unusual for his time; he was well-read and articulate for a settler of the northern frontier.

Planning a school trip to the museumnnA Tavern Show and guided visit to Ethan and Fanny Allen’s historic 1785 Homestead in addition to one or two other activities is available for visitors. The Tavern Show covers early Vermont history, the Green Mountain Boys, and Ethan Allen and his wife Fanny. This show tells the story of how Ethan and his family came to settle along the Winooski River at the Homestead. Cost for this visit is $3 per student and parent chaperons. Visits last about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Contact them at 802-363-3330 or 802-434-2635 for more information.

Source: The Ethan Allen Homestead OnlinennImportant Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with The Ethan Allen Homestead. This article and the web site are offered as a resource for formulating vacation ideas.

Written by: Connie Limon. For more vacation ideas visit http://smalldogs2.com/VacationIdeas For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely found elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.comnnThis article is FREE to publish with the resource box.nn© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reservednn