ANNUAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

History Walk and Talk in Ethan Allen Park

Friday, Nov. 29, 10 to 11:30 AM

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Ethan Allen Tower

Gary De Carolis will discuss the various early settlers of the park grounds, formerly a strategic look-out for the Algonquin Nation, plus some interesting tid-bits on the flora and fauna of the grounds. We will climb the Ethan Allen Tower, discuss its creation and see what we can see!!!! From this vantage point, we can see all of the original Appletree Point tract, extending from the Arms Grant to the Winooski River, Intervale to Lake Champlain. Also we will walk the old carriage (and first people's) paths between the tower and the Pinnacle. 

Please come and enjoy a morning of exercise for both body and mind. A great way to walk off some that that turkey [mashed potatoes, biscuits, and pie] !!! Dress warm. The tour will take place snow or shine! Appropriate for all ages.

Gary De Carolis and APHS President Tim Prim, and Vice President Sue Prim 

*BUSINESS meeting and refreshments after the walk, at Lea and Chuck's home, 22 Appletree Point Lane. 

It was a beautiful day for a winter hike. We learned that the trolley was extended out to the park and the city celebrated with local, state, and national officials in attendance.

The substance of Gary's talk will be available in the next publication of the history of the Appletree Point area, now known as Burlington's North End. 

We learned much that we did not know. For example, the purchase and philanthropic endeavor to present Ethan Allen Park as a gift to the people of Burlington was a very big project. A private citizen donated the land and groomed the carriage paths. There was significant public investment, too. The city trolley line was extended to the park, connecting the urban core to their nature park. Today the commemorative sign is tattered and faded, and there is no signage telling people how to get up to the tower. Well maintained stony paths, and a pebbled carriage road, ascend Table Rock, upon which the tower was built. Throughout history, the tower and pinnacle sites were significant look outs for game and visitors.

ADDITIONS FOR THE APHS HISTORY

We have some additions to include in the history: a chapter by Fred Wiseman about Wabanaki first people on Appletree Point;a  chapter of farm stories from Tim and Rolfe; and now, a genealogical narrative about Pfelix Powell from Lou Schultze (see description from Lou below).

We want to print this copy of the history in a more substantial form, worthy of donations to Fletcher Free and all our North End schools. (That's what your dues are for.)

Question:  Who has a link to info about Felix Powell in Dorset?  (Marge, did you find that and send it to us? Could you refresh that trail?)

Lea & Abby

Lou Schultze:  I am working on a narrative about the information developed on Felix Powell and his family. Once it is done, I'll send it to you. Did I send you a copy of the Land Deed noting the sale of Appletree Point property by Felix Powell? I have found that Felix's Parents were Felix Powell and Abigail Button. I haven't come up with the name of his wife, but he had a son, Felix Jr. They both fought in the Revolutionary War. I'll try to attach a copy of the Abstract Marriage License for Felix and Abigail and also the power of attorney filed by Felix in favor of Felix Jr., granting Felix Jr. power over the property Felix was left by his mother, Abigail.

APHS PRESENTS STORYTELLING PROGRAM AT NORTH END NPA, JULY 24

The Neighborhood Planning Assembly meets on school nights, so summer programs feature opportunities for children to learn more about city government and NorthEnd history. APHS was asked to bring their favorite storytellers to the July 24 meeting, and here we go: takin' our show on the road!

AGENDA

6:15  Sign in, GREET NEIGHBORS and CITY OFFICIALS

6:30  WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS and ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA, GROUND RULES.

6:35  BUSINESS - Nominate Lea Terhune (Ward 4) and (Carol Lavigne) Ward 7 to NPA Steering Committees

6:40  PROGRAM -

Storytelling about the history of NorthEnd, what it was like growing up here. Rolfe Eastman, Tim and Sue Prim, Norma Raymond, Christine Hebert, and Rosaire Longe. Sponsored by local history buffs.

 Appointed and elected officials explain their responsibilities, and invite children to tell them what would make the NorthEnd a great-er place for kids.

    

8:15  REFLECTIONS -  thoughts, ideas, opinions that anyone wants to share

FOURTH OF JULY 2013 on Appletree Point

Each year, APHS is invited to put up a historical display about life on Appletree Point when the land was farmed. This year the theme was apples, in honor of the appletrees that give the area it's name. We handed out apple juice and apples, and raffle tickets for grand prize of an apple pie. Winner of the pie was Tom Papp, a charter member of the historical society and the Strathmore board member who invited us to the parade! Three cheers for Tom!

Suddenly Tom has lots of BFFs!

Abby was on hand to sign up new members.

Chuck set the display up.

Display featured photos of farmlands
on the point. Sue and Lea made the display...

Eric Farrell brought plans for Staniford Farm, featuring home lots, ponds, and wetland buffer zones.

The rain held off all morning, and for a few hours we were able to forget the rainiest summer on record. A few hours later came a deluge that set a record for rainfall in Burlington on a single day.

Eric Farrell, a new neighbor lives at Appletree Farm, aka Staniford Farm, in the Picher house. A former winner of a Preservation Burlington Award along with Appletree Point Historical Society, Eric is preserving the 1820 Staniford farmhouse. Efforts to sell it as-is, in place, have not been successful. Eric's latest plan is to move the house, place it on a new foundation, and see if it is more attractive to a buyer. The remaining buildable land at Appletree Farm will be subdivided into home lots, conserving the wetland buffer zones as natural areas to be protected and enjoyed by new homeowners.

The Call-to-Action!
Today, all major impact developments
are previewed at *NPA to give developers
early feedback on their project.

Appletree Point Historical Society can take pride in what members and friends accomplished, never wavering in their commitment to the historic farmhouse, the pastoral context, and environmental protection of the wetlands and  buffers.  Lest we forget -- the flip side of the display is the original call-to-action sign that rallied the neighbors and led to a N7 Summit Meeting of residents in the seven surrounding neighborhoods.

Many thanks to Co-Presidents Sue and Tim Prim,
whose enthusiasm, dedication, knowledge and leadership
 are greatly appreciated.