The southwestern corner of Vermont, known as The Shires of Vermont, is defined by the Taconic Mountains on the west and the Green Mountains on the east. This region has the distinction of having two shire towns, or county seats, in Bennington and Manchester.
The Manchester-Bennington region offers a sampling of everything that makes Vermont special - picturesque small towns with village greens, whitewashed steeples, quaint bed & breakfasts, cows at pasture alongside wonderful old hay barns, a multitude of farms providing fresh produce to local restaurants, and picturesque covered bridges. Visit Manchester and choose from historic inns to modern boutique hotels to family-friendly motels. Explore history at Hildene (the Lincoln Family home), shop Manchester Designer Outlets or unique Vermont shops, or enjoy hiking or biking on nearby trails, fishing the Battenkill, or skiing at nearby Stratton or Bromley. For the golfer, choose from a number of different courses offering variety in terrain and challenge.
Or head to Bennington, the other shire town in the region, and take in the panoramic view from the top of the Bennington Battle Monument, the tallest man-made structure in Vermont. Visit the Bennington Museum to see Grandma Moses' fascinating artwork. Home to both Bennington College and Southern Vermont College, Bennington exudes small-town charm with its quaint shops, restaurants, and lodging choices.
Travel through the Shires on the three specially designated scenic byways in the region. You can head north along the Shires of Vermont Byway which begins at Vermont’s southern border and follows Route 7 and 7A to Manchester. Head out of Manchester along Route 30, the Stone Valley Byway, to explore multiple state parks perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor pursuits. Or travel the Molly Start Byway between Brattleboro and Bennington along Vermont Route 9 near the southern border of the state. The Shires of Vermont are easily accessible from New York and New England, making the area a popular, year-round tourist destination. The Shires of Vermont. "So Vermont. So near."
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Vermont Events in June
Camp: Fun With Music With Taconic Music
6/27/22 - 7/1/22
INSTRUCTOR: TACONIC MUSIC AND FRIENDS
MONDAY, JUNE 27 – FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2022
9 A.M. – 12 P.M.
SVAC Member: $125; Non-Member: $175
Ages 6 – 14
SVAC partners with Taconic Music for a week filled with musical activities.
Camp features daily mini-concerts by talented college students who are participating in Taconic Music’s summer Chamber Music Intensive program. Different stringed instruments, violin, viola, cello and piano, will be featured throughout the week and children will have a chance to try them out.
Some of camp’s additional activities include local guests, music and movement for kids with violinist Heather Munch, painting to music with artist and educator Carol Berry, and musical story time with beloved teacher Kathy Penge. Join us for five great musical mornings.
For more information, including a confidential scholarship application, please contact Erin Kaufman at ekaufman@svac.org or 802-367-1306.
GMALL Presents: The Geopolitics of Russia’s War in Ukraine and the Future of Global Security
6/28/22 - 6/28/22
Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL) welcomes Dr. Ralph S. Clem to talk about Russia's War in Ukraine and its impact on global security. The horrific damage, in both human and material terms, wrought upon Ukraine by Russian aggression has by now become well known. But beyond these heart wrenching details are yet untold implications for U.S. and European security and, indeed, the stability of the entire global economic and political systems. To explore these possibilities going forward, it is first important to grasp the essentials of how this dreadful conflict came to pass and how strategic ambiguity on the part of both sides might have been at least partly responsible. Based on this, the question then becomes whether, given its repeated violations of international conventions, Russia might ever be fully reintegrated into an order-based international structure. Registration for the talk is $18 per person in advance, or $22 per person at the door. For more information or to register, please call 802-867-0111 or visit our website at greenmtnacademy.org.
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