Looking East on Main Street

1911 was the sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, of the arrival of Bennington’s first white settlers in 1761. This nighttime view looking east up Main Street depicts the town’s main commercial thoroughfare decorated for the festivities, which took place August 12-16, in conjunction with Bennington Battle Day. For the 150th anniversary of white settlement, the town celebrated with picnics, speeches, dedications, and a major historical pageant.

The downtown area was decorated for the celebration with flags, bunting, and electric lights. Electricity was introduced in Bennington in 1887, and the sheer quantity of outdoor electric lights used in 1911 was a novelty. A trolley can be seen on the tracks running through the center of Main Street and the large steeple in the center left background belonged to the Second Congregational Church (the spire was removed in 1931 and the building was razed in 1958).