History

John Varricchione gives a talk, presented by the Vermont Italian Club, on the effects of Burlington's urban renewal.  In 2013 you can walk the streets of Burlington's inner city business district near Lake Champlain. It is filled with bright, efficient, tax revenue-producing entities. What was this district like in the 1960s???
John shares the some of the lives of many residences and businesses that were owned by hard-working, middle-class Italians, French, Irish and Lebanese families. Predominantly Italian, the Vermont Italian Club presently refers to this area as "Little Italy."
John shares what those houses and businesses looked like in the 1960s. Some begged for rehabilitation and destruction, but a majority of them were fine, well-kept establishments that offered proud living accommodations and business enterprises for those who lived in this section of downtown Burlington. 
 

Local Historian Gary DeCarolis gives a tour through Burlington's history. Exploring Burlington’s amazing historical past from pre-European settlement when Algonquin and Iroquois Nations ruled the area, touching on the importance of the small rock outcrop off Shelburne Point that Algonquin legend refers to where Wo-ja-ho-sen (He who created himself – Abnaki legend, Algonquin) resides, to how it became known as Rock Dunder today. Gary helps to travel back in time to when the village was first settled down at Water Street and near the Winooski Falls. Learn about the unique topography of the City and how it influenced travel in the early days of the city, as well as learning of the University of Vermont from its founding in 1791. Gary shares stories of three incredible civil war generals who are buried in Lake View Cemetery and concludes with a bit of Burlington history of General Ethan Allen.

For more information, contact the Ethan Homestead Museum at www.ethanallenhomestead.org or call 802.865-4556

Community producer James Gero's video on Sugaring at Shelburne Farms.

Host Ron Wanamaker speaks with Nic Anderson of the Bulrington Planning and Zoning Department and Chapin Spencer, Executive Director of Local Motion, on Discover Historic Burlington - Cycle the City is The Best Way to Explore the Queen City
This exciting, self-guided, clockwise loop showcases the history, culture, and natural splendor of Burlington, Vermont—one of the loveliest cities in America, and the jewel of northern New England.

The loop will take you along spectacular Lake Champlain following the Island Line Trail commonly known as the Burlington Bike Path with sweeping vistas of the Adirondack Mountains. Heading west you ascend through a historic park and head into (or around via the paved route) the richly scenic Winooski River Valley and unpaved Intervale, a rich floodplain that is home to historic structures, wild animals and working farms.

The loop also passes through some of Burlington’s most architecturally interesting and beautiful areas such as the University of Vermont (UVM) and Champlain College neighborhoods. UVM is one of New England’s oldest colleges, and its landmark architecture reflects that long history. Cycle the City also takes you through many different residential neighborhoods, from the post-World War II suburban streets of the New North End, to the older housing in the Old North End and the stately 19th-century mansions in the Hill Section.  Monthly call in show hosted by Preservation Burlington.