Executive Order No. 22-7 (No. 06-20) [Creation of the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission]
WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, for the duration of the American Revolutionary War, between 1775 and 1783, Vermonters played a significant role in the Colonists’ assertion for independence from Great Britain; and
WHEREAS, the successful assault by Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys, under Ethan Allen at Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775, has been called the first offensive action by American forces during the Revolution; and
WHEREAS, the Battle of Valcour Island, considered the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, was fought in October 1776 on Lake Champlain with Benedict Arnold commanding the American forces; and
WHEREAS, the extensive fortification of Mount Independence in Orwell was one of the largest American-built garrisons of the Revolutionary War, constructed in 1776-1777 to defend New England from the British; and
WHEREAS, the Battle of Hubbardton, fought on July 7, 1777, was the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely on the soil of what would become the State of Vermont; although a British tactical victory, it was one of the most successful rear-guard actions in American history; and
WHEREAS, in August 1777, at the Battle of Bennington, Vermont troops helped defeat a British force, setting up victories at the Battles of Saratoga that are considered together to be a turning point of the war in favor of the Americans; and
WHEREAS, some historic places in Vermont related to our nation’s fight for independence are designated as State-owned Historic Sites, including Hubbardton Battlefield, Mount Independence, and Bennington Battle Monument; and
WHEREAS, Vermonters and Vermont’s communities, cultural institutions, historical societies, and state and local governments are proud partners in the remembrance of the events of the American Revolutionary War and those who fought so bravely for our country’s independence; and
WHEREAS, to observe this momentous anniversary, the U.S. Congress established the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to encourage Americans to remember our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a promising future.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor, do hereby order as follows:
1. The Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission is hereby established to plan, encourage, develop, coordinate, and promote observances and activities to be held in Vermont in commemoration of the historic events that preceded and are associated with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in the State of Vermont, in celebration of our present and in anticipation of the promising future of our State.
2. The Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission shall be comprised of not more than 14 members to include the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing; the State Historic Preservation Officer; the State Librarian; a representative of the Vermont Historical Society to be selected by their Board of Directors; a representative from the University of Vermont appointed by the UVM President; and nine members shall be appointed by the Governor representative of the geographic and racial diversity of the State, to include a Revolutionary War historian; a member of a Revolutionary War reenactment group; a representative of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs; and a representative of a Vermont history museum. The State Historic Preservation Officer shall serve as the Chair.
The Chair shall call the first meeting of the Commission to occur on or before March 1, 2021. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly.
3. The Commission shall coordinate, review, and promote programs and activities throughout the state relating to the American Revolutionary War, in particular Vermont’s involvement therein, to deepen the knowledge and understanding of this formative period of American history and how it has shaped and continues to shape who we are as a people, a state and a nation.
4. The Commission may choose to designate one or more nonprofit entities for the purposes of soliciting and accepting private donations and public funds, grants, and donations in order to carry out the purposes of this Commission. Donated funds designated for this purpose shall only be disbursed upon recommendation by a majority of the Commission and finally approved by the Chair.
5. The Commission shall have the administrative, technical and legal support of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and assistance, as needed, of other State agencies and departments, boards, and commissions.
6. To the extent funding is available, each member of the Commission shall be entitled to per diem compensation pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010.
This Executive Order shall take effect upon execution and expire on December 31, 2027 unless extended by the Governor.
Dated December 15, 2020.