American Legion Post 13 and Bennington Museum will honor all veterans and rededicate the Civil War Memorial on Saturday, November 6th,  1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, followed by a reception and family activity in the museum.

Participation in the event is free of charge; general museum admission is ½ price ($6.00 for Adults, $5.00 for Seniors 62+) all day for veterans, active military, and their families. Youth aged 17 and younger are always admitted free.  Additional parking will be available at the Monument Elementary School directly across Main Street. 

American Legion Post 13 Color Guard and the Legion Riders will open the afternoon event at 1:00 PM at the Civil War Memorial.  Speakers will include Legion Commander Steve Greenslet and Bennington Museum Curator Jamie Franklin.

This historic marker (pictured before restoration), honoring over 450 Bennington soldiers who fought in the Civil War,  stands on a rise in the ground directly in front of the Museum. It features a bronze relief panel of Bennington Union soldiers marching and a plaque created by local sculptor, William Gordon Huff. Commissioned by the American Legion and presented for a state convention on Bennington Battle Day in 1930, this major Civil War monument remained under the Legion’s care for the next 30 years until ownership was formally turned over to the Museum in the 1960s.

The 1861 flag made for the Bennington Boys along with Civil War clothing and artifacts will be on display in the Flag and Textile Gallery in the Museum.

Conservation of the Civl War Memorial was made possible through the generosity of the Robert Fleming & Jane Howe Patrick Foundation, American Legion Post 13, and other donors.

At 2:00 PM, a reception and family activity will take place in the Ada Paresky Education Center on the upper level of the museum.  An exhibition of artwork by Vermont Veterans’ Home artists will be on view for the afternoon.

All are welcome to enjoy light refreshments and participate in a project for all ages honoring  veterans by creating illustrated letters thanking them for their service.  These works of art will be given to the Veterans’ Home for distribution and display, or families may opt to save them for a personal thank you to the veterans in their lives.