Florence Estey and the DAR Forest (1930’s)
On August 24, 1934 the Vermont Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) dedicated an Addison County land preserve to the memory of Brattleboro’s Florence Gray Estey. Mrs. Estey had died the previous year and the DAR chose her birthday for the ceremony. The DAR purchased the 160 acres nestled against the shore of Lake Champlain in order to protect the land and buildings. According to the Vermont State Parks website, this area was one of the earliest and most intensely settled sections of what would later become Vermont. There is evidence of human habitation that dates back over 7,500 years. Native Americans hunted, fished, and settled this land. In the early 1700’s a French village was constructed in the area and flourished until the English burned them out during the French and Indian War. In 1765 John Strong, from Connecticut, was one of the first English-speaking settlers to move into the region. He was 27 […]