Royalton Historical Society Dam History Program and Vermont Trivia

Subject: Royalton Historical Society event

During Royalton Old Home Days on August 1st the Royalton Historical Society and the White River Partnership will present at program at 1:30 in the former St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on the corner of Bridge Street and the Royalton Common Road in Royalton village. The program will be about the history and the removal of two historic dams on the First Branch of the White River in Mill Village in Royalton. The first dam was constructed by Elias Curtis around 1776. Curtis was one of the 32 men captured and marched to Canada during the 1780 Royalton Raid. The mill powered by the dam was operated by Isaac Morgan. The dam, and the related structures, were quickly rebuilt and a prosperous business community grew over the next 200 years. The dam was constantly rebuilt following various floods and eventually there were two dams which powered various businesses operated by the Eaton family up until the early 1960s. The two dams were removed in 2019 to restore cold-water trout and fish habitat.

Following the program the historical society will open the One-Room District School House and the Royalton Town House on the Common in Royalton village. Both house historic displays on Royalton history. The schoolhouse has been restored to its period as a one-room schoolhouse and the Town House will have a special exhibit on photographs from the Royalton Masons and a display on school cheerleader and majorette uniforms recently donated to the historic society.

At 6:30 the Vermont Historical Society will host a Vermont Trivia Contest at Crossroads Bar and Grill in South Royalton. Come and test your knowledge of Vermont History and learn historic facts about our state and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence while you meet your neighbors.

All events and programs are free and open to the public.