In keeping with Valentine’s Day, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is sharing their love of history this February with a “find the heart” hunt atvarious historical spots in the two villages of Cavendish.
Ten hearts have been painted on rocks by Becky Plunkard. Using the clues below, find the hearts and take a picture and/or add a heart stone of your own to the places that mean the most to you. Please don’t move the rocks.
At the end of February, we’ll count up how many additional heart stones have been added to find out which historic spots in town people most like to visit.
If you have questions about clues, or need help, please e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807.
Clues
Cavendish Village
• Built in 1834 by the Cavendish Baptist Church, it suffered arson at the hands of Fire Bug Fitton in 1875. As a result, the Church relocated and the building has served many functions since then, including being the Cavendish Town Hall.
• The Hon. Redfield Proctor, Vermont governor 1878-1880, donated a memorial, and the land it sits on, to honor the Cavendish men who served in the Civil War.
• Many people visit Cavendish to see and learn about Phineas Gage, the railroad Forman who had a tamping rod pass through his head. In honor of this historic event, the town erected a monument on the town green, which is made of a green marble that was quarried in Proctorsville.
• Under the leadership of the abolitionist, Reverend Warren Skinner, a Universalist Church was built in 1844 by Scottish stone masons.
• Salmon Dutton, the founder of Duttonsville (now referred to as Cavendish Village) gave the land and is buried here. Many veterans are also buried here from the Revolutionary War through present day. Look for the stone heart
near the entrance.
Proctorsville Village
• Redfield Proctor, Jr., also a Vermont governor like his father, donated a memorial to honor WWI veterans from Cavendish.
• Once the site of a very large mill, a fire in 1982 destroyed most of the buildings and the area was turned into a park. A dedication marker honors the person responsible for creating the park. This monument is also made from marble quarried in Proctorsville.
• Pollards store sold everything. If they didn’t have it, you probably didn’t need it. Opened from 1863 to 1964, former president Calvin Coolidge would have frequently visited as a kid when he was in town to see cousins and family in Proctorsville. Some of the contents of the store’s pharmacy can be seen at the CHS Museum.
• Built to be an “opera house,” the building was the former home of Crow’s Bakery. It’s believed to be haunted by children.
• A bob sled run was built close by during the 1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corp’s efforts. It’s been rumored that part of the land was dug up to plant potatoes during the Depression (we’ve found no evidence that this happened) and “Firebug Fitton” is buried there. You’ll find the stone near the entrance.
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