Mid Vermont Heritage Guide - As Far As The Eye Can See Tour

As Far As The Eye Can See Tour map

As Far As The Eye Can See

Sunlight streams through the lush canopy of leaves. Moose tracks cut across a trail. And the sounds of a waterfall are heard in the distance. A walk through the Green Mountain National Forest is a truly magical and soul-satisfying experience. Breathtaking vistas of Canada, New York and New Hampshire are indeed an inspiration to all who hike its highest peaks. And just as Robert Frost was inspired to write some of his most beloved works in these very hills, poets, fine artists and craftsmen continue to be influenced by the beauty of this landscape and the raw materials it has to offer.

directions

Begin this loop at an artist studio located in the rural village of Ripton on Peddlers Bridge Road north off of Route 125. Backtrack to Route 125 and travel east to Route 100. turn north to Granville. Backtrack south on Route 100 through Rochester Village to Liberty Hill Road turning west. Return to Route 100 and proceed to Route 73 west to Brandon and Route 7 south to Pittsford. Backtrack on Route 7 to return to Brandon and proceed to west on Arnold District Road and west on Adams Road.

1

Artifacts / Jean Cherouny
PO Box 129, 565 Peddlers Bridge Road, Ripton, VT 05766
802-388-0320
jcher@sover.net

Gardens and trails surround the studio and the display gallery that offers Jean's festive fine art originals in oil and acrylic paint. Jean sees the structural beauty in trees, their shadows, and the rocks and buildings nestled around her. She explores how to express nature's existing structure seeking to create a balance between the formal abstract and presentational forms in the environment then simplifying these forms in order to reveal that memorable, elusive moment when she feels close to nature. Open Sat and Sun, Noon-5 pm or by appointment. Member of Vermont Crafts Council.

2

Robert Frost Interpretative Trail
VT Route 125, Ripton, VT 05766

This one-mile trail, designed for easy walking, winds through the habitat and scenery that inspired acclaimed American poet, and Vermont Poet Laureate, Robert Frost. Twelve of his works are posted at intervals along the trail. Their choice and placement illustrate the traditional, edifying Robert Frost, as well as the darker, more complicated individual later revealed by critics and biographers. Restrooms.

3

Granville Bowl Mill
45 Mill Road, Granville, VT 05747
800-828-1005
bowlmill@madriver.com
www.bowlmill.com

Since 1857, Granville Manufacturing Company, known as "The Bowl Mill" has been producing unique one piece hardwood, utilizing the modern technology and machinery of the 19th century. The processes developed and improved here, maximize the raw material's utility, beauty, and strength while minimizing and recycling the waste. The Mill still contains the original machinery designed in the late 1800's. NOTE: Production has stopped as of April 1, 2008. The store will remain open until inventory is gone. Store open 7 days a week, 9-5. Tours Mon.-Fri., 7-2.

4

Plush Quartz Art Glass
5523 Route 100, Granville, VT 05747
802-767-4547
mikeegan@wcvt.com
www.eganglass.com

Vermont native Michael Egan blows glass freehand in the Venetian style. His pieces include housewares and art glass in contemporary colors, classical forms, and playful designs. Visitors may watch glassblowing in his studio, which is connected to the gallery. Wed.-Mon., 10-5.

5

J. Jensen Clay Studio
61 North Main Street, Rochester, VT 05767 802-676-3271
jjensen@together.net

Vermont's wittiest decorative, functional pottery includes tiles, sculpture and a few extraordinary chess sets. Daily 9-4; Sunday at a whim.

6

Liberty Hill Farm
511 Liberty Hill Road, Rochester, VT 05767
802-767-3926 / 802-767-6056 Fax
beth@libertyhillfarm.com
www.libertyhillfarm.com

Liberty Hill Farm, an award-winning working dairy farm in operation since 1787, offers farm vacations with lodging and meals. A wide variety of activities are available including helping with farm chores and lazy walks along country lanes. Open year-round.

7

The Gingerbread House Fine Art
2321 Forestdale Road, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-3380

A cedar pagoda studio and shop displays watercolors, oils, acrylics, folk art mirrors with occasionally exhibits and demonstrations offered by Linda Hickox-Hoare and John Hoare. Open most summer days, winter hours after 4 pm and most weekends.

8

New England Maple Museum
US Route 7, Pittsford, VT 05763
802-483-9414
info@maplemuseum.com
www.maplemuseum.com

Historical murals, dioramas, exhibits, demonstrations, and artifacts from Native American tools to plastic pipelines show the history of maple sugaring in Vermont. The shop sells a full line of Vermont maple products and other specialty foods. Mid-May-Oct. 31 daily 8:30-5:30; Nov. 1-Dec. 31 and mid-Mar through mid-May daily 10-4.

9

Brandon Farmers Market
Central Park, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-5412

Brandon's Farmers Market represents the best in home grown, fresh produce and handcrafted goods. Fridays 9am-2pm, Memorial Day - Columbus Day weekend.

10

Brandon Artists Guild
7 Center Street, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-4956
www.brandonartistsguild.org

The Brandon Artists Guild was started by five Brandon artists in 2001 with a mission to help promote art in the Brandon area. Brandon Artist Guild has presented three major community art projects, including the very successful "Really, Really Pig Show", in which 40 artists painted fiber glass pigs, "Brandon is for the Birds" boasting 50 bird house sculptures, and "Brandon Rocks" that included 31 unique handmade Adirondack chairs. Open weekdays and Saturday.

11

Judith Reilly Gallery
24 Conant Square, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-8421
judith@judithreilly.com
www.judithreilly.com

Framed and unframed quilted fabric artworks are located in an historic 18th century home and features the unique "Fabric Paintings" Judith creates with dyed, painted, stamped, and fused and embellished fabrics. June-December Fri and Sat Noon--5 or call to visit other times.

12

Liza Myers Gallery
22 Center Street, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-5229
www.lizamyers.com
www.warrenkimble.com

Featuring original paintings and signed reproductions by America's favorite contemporary folk artist Warren Kimble; paintings and sculpture from the natural world by Liza Myers. Also presenting art from exceptional regional and national artists. Mon-Sat 10 am-5:30 pm; Sun, Noon-4.

13

Maple View Farm Alpacas
185 Adams Road, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-5412 Phone / Fax
mvfalpacas@earthlink.net
www.mapleviewfarmalpacas.com

Located on 100 scenic acres in western Vermont just 2.5 miles north of Brandon, Maple View Farm Alpacas breeds and sells high quality alpacas. Visit and learn about these gentle, intelligent creatures, then browse the farm store which features products made from luxurious alpaca fiber. Daily 10-4 or by appointment.

Spirit In Nature Interfaith Paths

A network of paths where each is dedicated to a different religious tradition and a labyrinth. The organization's goals are to provide sacred natural places where people may come to renew their souls, to celebrate life, and to learn about the natural world. The organization also fosters the establishment of other Spirit in Nature Sanctuaries in an effort to build environmental advocacy through various religious traditions. Open year-round.

P.O. Box 255, East Middlebury, Vermont 05740
802-388-3694
spiritinnature.com

A Dairy of Distinction

number of area farms display a "Dairy of Distinction" sign. The Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program has recognized the owners and operators of these farms for their promotion of a positive dairy industry image. Criteria for the annual award include tidy and attractive buildings; neat grounds, farm lanes and fences; and clean animals, barnyard, feed areas, and manure management facilities. `.com

Moosalamoo

The Moosalamoo (an Abenaki Indian word for "he trails the moose") Region contains 26,000 acres within the Green Mountain Forest. It extends from Lake Dunmore to the Long Trail, and from Brandon Gap to Middlebury Gap. It is an ideal area for wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting. Among the most scenic and popular trails are those from Branbury State Park to the Falls of Lana, Mt. Moosalamoo, and Silver Lake. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Silver Lake was the site of a large wooden religious revival seminary which was later converted to a hotel. It eventually burned in 1942. Also of interest is the Robert Frost Wayside Interpretive Trail, Spirit in Nature trails, a bluebird trail, and over 30 acres of managed wild blueberries. For maps and information contact: Moosalamoo Association, PO Box 108, Forest Dale, VT 05745, 802-247-3971, www.moosalamoo.org.

The Crown Point Road

Across the state of Vermont a chain of markers stretches from the banks of the Connecticut River to the shore of Lake Champlain. Erected at different times, by different people, the markers have one thing in common: they mark the route of the old Crown Point Military Road.

Built in 1759-60, during the French and Indian War, the Crown Point Road was of great importance in the early history of Vermont. Over this road, in the 1760 campaign, passed Colonial troops with supplies, munitions, cattle and sheep.

Perhaps the road's most lasting contribution to Vermont's history was its use by settlers. The road opened a large area of Vermont for settlement and, with the defeat of the French and the lessening danger from Indian raids, settlers were soon traveling the Crown Point Road and building their homes in Vermont.

The Crown Point Road of today has changed greatly. Much of the road has disappeared entirely, reclaimed by the forest, while other parts have been plowed under or bulldozed away to meet the needs of the 20th century. Some sections of the road are marked and can be followed as trails, while other sections are barely discernible paths through the woods, marked only by the lilac-fringed cellar holes and stone walls of abandoned farms. A few short stretches of the old military road are still in use as town roads.

Martin J. Howe, First President of the Crown Point Road Association. Reprinted with permission.

Crown Point Road Association 220 Adams St.
Rutland, VT 05701
info@crown-point-road.org
www.crown-point-road.org
802-773-6819