Journey Through Time at Chimney Point Tavern: A Vermont Historical Gem
Hey history enthusiasts! Dan Blanchard from the “Travel in Time Show” recently took us on a captivating journey to Chimney Point Tavern in Addison, Vermont. This incredible location is not just a building; it’s a living testament to thousands of years of North American history, strategically positioned along the vital Lake Champlain.
A Tapestry of Time: Chimney Point’s Rich History
The area around Chimney Point has been a hub of activity for millennia:
- Ancient Roots: As far back as 7,500 BC, Native Americans occupied this region. Before that, glaciers had receded, and water levels had dropped, shaping the landscape we see today.
- A Geopolitical Hotspot: Lake Champlain, visible right from Chimney Point, was a critically important area politically and militarily. Samuel de Champlain himself declared it “New France”.
- The Fur Trade Empire: The region was “rich with the beaver,” making the fur trade an enormously lucrative business – “like a trillion-dollar business” in today’s money. This immense wealth fueled fierce competition between the French and the British.
- French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War): The North American component of the Seven Years’ War (which Dan compares to a “World War Zero” in scale) saw the British and French vying for control. The Native Americans, who generally favored the French, eventually witnessed the British take over. As the French retreated, they employed a scorched-earth tactic, burning everything down. All that remained were chimneys, thus giving the area its enduring name: Chimney Point.
- American Revolutionary War: The area was rebuilt but continued to be a battleground, traded back and forth between American colonists and the English due to Lake Champlain’s strategic importance. Ultimately, the American colonists emerged victorious.
- The Birth of the Tavern: Following the war, a man named Benjamin Payne (not Thomas Payne!) built the tavern we visit today. This establishment saw some incredibly famous guests, with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison spending nights, eating, and drinking here.
- Evolution to a Museum: While it once served as a lively tavern, Chimney Point is now a museum, preserving its storied past. It was later purchased by a “Bristol cabinet maker,” indicating strong Connecticut roots in the area.
- Bridging the Eras: In 1929, the original bridge connecting the area was built, with soon-to-be President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt present for its christening. This bridge lasted approximately 80 years before being demolished and replaced by the modern structure seen today.
A Leadership Lesson from History
Dan Blanchard often ties history to modern leadership lessons, and Chimney Point offers a profound one: creating communication and collaboration.
- Initially, this area was a military hub, one of the narrowest points on Lake Champlain. Controlling it meant controlling traffic through the Atlantic Ocean.
- Over time, it evolved into a political hub, transportation hub and then a social hub – a place where people gathered to communicate and collaborate.
- Dan emphasizes that this is what effective leaders do: they create opportunities for communication and collaboration, building these vital “hubs”.
Chimney Point truly is a place where travel, history, and leadership intertwine. It’s a powerful reminder of how landscapes and structures can tell thousands of stories, from ancient peoples to founding fathers and beyond.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
*Check out Dan’s book, “Travel in Time in Connecticut”: https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Time-Co...
*Watch Dan’s YouTube vidoe on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYQgD6uPgs0&t=6s
*Listen to Dan’s podcast on this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sU2yF6NHfEtnqmnQ5hKpO?si=Kw9Np-vQTFGLFPfOGX4RFw
*See Dan’s Interview with Jefferson and Madison: https://granddaddyssecrets.com/travel-in-time-with-dan-11-interview-from-the-past-with-thomas-jefferson-and-james-madison/
*Learn more about Dan: https://granddaddyssecrets.com/
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