The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-02-06
"0LD CONSTITUTION
HOUSE" MOVEMENTS
Active Steps Taken to Preserve the
Building In Windsor, Where Yer-
mont's Constitution Was
Est 3lished.

The preservation OF the "Old Consti-
tuition House" in the village OF Windsor
las for some years appealed to YER
monters interested in the states history,
and last spring an association was
formed by dozen residents Of Wind
sor, with this object in view.
A committee on membership was APP
pointed, and this committee has just
issued the following circular letter, adj
dressed to "The Sons and Daughters Of
Vermont"
From July to July 8, in the year
of l177, the convention held in the
town OF Windsor that adopted the first
constitution of the state of Vermont.
The building in which that convention
vas held, commonly known as the Old
Constitution House, stu stands in the
village Of Windsor, At that time a
tavern, it has long since been used for
other purposes, for several years past
serving as store house for stoves and
tlnware. In 1904 a few persons inter
ested in preserving the memory Of its
historic character placed upon the build
ing bronze tablet with the following
inscription;
The Constitution House
in this building was held July rs, LII
the convention which adopted the con-
~stitution
OF the free and independent State of
Vermont
The first in America TO prohibit
human slavery.
The question of the rescue of this
historic structure from its present use,
and its restoration and preservation as
an ancient relic has been matter of
some discussion and agitation, for sew
eral years, among individuals; the leg
islature of Vermont at one time passed
bill apprepriating one thousand dol
lars for that purpose, but the bill met
defeat at the hands Of the governor;
some efforts have also been made in
the same direction by one of the patriot
ic societies in the state; but no widely
organized effort has heretofore been un-
dertake to reach all those who have an
interest in preserving for future gen
erations this ancient landmark, until
the formation of the Old Constitution
House association, the articles of as
ISOLATION and bylaws OF which accom-
pany this circular.
This patriotic movement was begun
by Friends in Council the Womens
club of Windsor, which, like all womens
clubs in Vermont, has always taken
an active and intelligent interest i'm civic
improvement. Through the instigation
and encouragement of this club the pres
ent organization was formed by few
well-known citizens of Windsor upon a
basis, as they believe, so broad as to
command the interest and attention OF
all Vermonters who cherish any senti-
ment for her history and institutions,
and the perpetuation of the places in
which her very notable early history
was made.
The owners of the building are pre-
pared with a generous public spirit, to |
present the structure to this association |
upon certain suitable restrictions and |
reservations which may be briefly stat
ed as follows:
The building is to remain forever as
an historic relic upon suitable site in !
the village of Windsor TO be owned by I
the association, and the same is TO be
restored and maintained and devoted to
historical, literary, educational and So
cial purposes only.
There shall be tablet placed upon
the building with an inscription stat
ing that the same is presented by the
owners thereof.
The deed of gift is TO contain a re-
versionary clause in case of failure to
comply with the conditions of the gift.
The organizers of the association de-
sire membership widely distributed
through the state Of Vermont and among
Vermonters residing elsewhere.
II the plan Of the organization meets
with your approval and you desire to
cooperate in this organized effort. please
sign the accompanying application for
and forward with the mem
bership dues in the enclosed envelope
10 Mr.. Frank b. Tracy, treasurer, and
the same win be properly and promptly
While the organization of the asso-
,iation is at present incomplete, in re-
,pect of all officers and trustees con
by the bylaws. the ineor-
,orators expect to have a complete or.