The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is the July beneficiary of the Ludlow Shaw’s Give Back program. CHS will receive $1 for every $3.00 Shaw's GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Reusable Bag sold during the month.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Please note that the Proctorsville Farmer’s Market has been cancelled for 2026
July 3 (Friday) 250 Rocks begins (see below)
July 4 (Saturday): 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence:
- 9 am Reading of the Declaration at Super Roasted Coffee House, 73 Depot Street, Proctorsville (see below)
- 10 am Ludlow Parade
- Noon Margo Caulfield will be doing a talk on Betsy Ross at the Ludlow VT celebration at Veteran’s Park
- Fireworks around 9:15 Ludlow
July 12 (Sunday): Depending on weather, Dr. Charis Boke. herbalist and medical anthropologist from Dartmouth, will lead a medicinal plant walk at Greven Field. Meet at the Museum at 2pm. Wear comfortable shoes and bring bug spray and a water bottle. In the event of very hot weather, Dr. Boke will offer a program at the Museum.
July 25 (Saturday): Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale. CHS will be set up by the Gazebo on the Proctorsville Green. Free cemetery guides and other materials.
September 5 (Saturday): Honey Festival 10:30-4 Proctorsville Green
September 12 (Sunday): Phineas Gage Walk and Talk, meet at the Museum at 2 pm. The walk includes the site of the Gage accident. It’s approximately three quarters of a mile from the Museum.
October 11 (Sunday): Last day the Museum is open for the season.
HEAR THE DECLARATION ON JULY 4TH: Two hundred and fifty years ago, many colonists learned about the Declaration of Independence by hearing it read at their local coffee house. One of the earliest readings took place at the Merchant Coffee House in Philadelphia. People of all socio-economic statuses went to these houses for their favorite beverage, food and most importantly, the news of the day. The seeds of Revolution were planted in the coffee houses.
CHS, in conjunction with Super Roasted, located at 73 Depot Street-the coffee house in Proctorsville, will be re-enacting how many would have first heard about the Declaration. A special reading will take place at 9 am on July 4th at SuperRoasted. A great way to kick off the nation’s 250th birthday. CHS board member Bruce McEnaney will be reading the Declaration.
250 ROCKS! Continuing the 250th birthday, CHS, with the help of community members Becky Plunkard, Shirley Clark and CTES 6th graders, have been placing painted rocks throughout the town. You'll find them in the cemeteries, graves of Revolutionary soldiers, town parks, and various historic locations. The search begins July 3 and goes throughout the summer. Please take all the pics you want, but leave the rocks until the fall.
All the rocks are painted red, white and blue with the exception of three. Honoring both the flag of the Green Mountain Boys and Vermont’s first flag as an independent republic, it is now the official flag of the VT Army and Air National Guard. The flag is green with a canton (the rectangular emblem in the upper left corner) of blue with 13 white stars. See if you can find all three. Here’s a hint, these special rocks are located in parts of town that pertained to the Green Mountain Boys, the soldiers of the Revolution and an encampment. Good luck. For more information call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com
SUGGESTIONS FOR READING AND WATCHING
• Read the Declaration of Independence
• The Greatest Sentence Ever Written: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness".
• Watch videos from the historians series 250 to 250: From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities—to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy. We will be telling their stories over the next several weeks because now, as ever, “We Are America.” #WeAreAmerica250
Donations for CHS can be sent to CHS, PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142. Checks should be payable to the Cavendish Historical Society.
