Southwest Vermont, from Bennington to the Manchester area, played a very significant role in the winning of the revolutionary war. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys planned their capture of Fort Ticonderoga (the first Colonists’ victory) from here and defeated the British in the Battle of Bennington which kept supplies from the British who then surrendered at Saratoga (NY) which was the turning point in the War.

Surprisingly, Vermont also has many ties to the Civil War. For instance, Vermont lost more people in the Civil War than any other state in the Union.  Every generation of Abraham Lincoln’s descendents lived or visited the Manchester and Dorset areas. Some Lincolns were interred here. Tombstones for Gettysburg came from this area. And more.

In just over 2 hours you will see:

• Over 25 points of interest with over 15 sites on the national register of historic places and historic districts
• Places where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain boys met, lived, traveled, camped, drank and planned the various victories.
• Where many Abraham Lincoln descendents lived and visited; where Mary Todd Lincoln stayed; where Gettysburg tombstones were quarried;  Underground Railroad safe houses; etc
• Sites & historic districts in Bennington, Arlington, Manchester, Dorset etc.
• Buildings on the national register and hear a personalized narrative explaining their significance to the Civil and Revolutionary Wars.

The tour route will go through covered bridges and historic villages and go by places where US Presidents stayed, etc as we explore the heart of Green Mountain Boy country.  Bring your camera.

Tour Details: Daily; April-November:  $35 per person with no additional fees; rain or shine; custom vehicle with individual seats; tours leave from Manchester; call for details and reservations; 802-362-4997; Member Manchester and Bennington Chambers of Commerce. Tours need a minimum of 2 passengers to proceed.   Due to time restrictions, we do not go up the elevator in the Bennington Battle Monument but we do view it from several points. We also do not visit Hildene ; the  former home of Robert Todd Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln’s only surviving son) and several descendents. We encourage people to visit the magnificent 412 acre estate on their own.  We also encourage visitors to attend the Ethan Allen Colonial Fair in Bennington, VT during the weekend of June 20-21, 2009. Backroad Discovery is a registered trademark and is an official tour event for "Vermont Celebrates Champlain."        www.backroaddiscovery.com

Your tour guide will be Dick Smith, author of the bestselling books, The Revolutionary War in Bennington County and Ethan Allen & the Capture of Ft. Ticonderoga. Available at the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT or Amazon.com

Read review in Stratton Magazine The Revolutionary War in Bennington County | Stratton Magazine