Bennington Battle Monument Photo

Photographer’s Note

Bennington Battle Monument
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bennington Battle Monument

The Bennington Battle Monument is a 306 ft (93 m) stone obelisk located at 15 Monument Circle, in Bennington, Vermont. The monument commemorates the Revolutionary War's Battle of Bennington.

In that battle, on August 17, 1777, Brigadier General John Stark and 1,400 New Hampshire men, aided by Colonels Warner and Herrick of Vermont, Simonds of Massachusetts, and Moses Nichols of New Hampshire, successfully defeated two detachments of General Burgoyne's British army, who were apparently seeking to capture a store of weapons and food maintained on the site of the battlefield. While the battle is termed the Battle of Bennington, it actually occurred about 10 miles away, in New York; the Bennington Battlefield, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, is entirely within New York State.

In 1877 a local historical society began to plan a monument for the battle's centenary, and considered many designs. One which called for a slender stone column only 100 feet tall was showcased during the battle's centennial celebration, which was attended by President Rutherford B. Hayes. The committee eventually accepted J. Phillip Rinn's design with some changes. The monument's cornerstone was laid in 1887, and it was completed in November 1889 at a total cost of $112,000 (including the site). It is constructed of Sandy Hill Dolomite from present day Hudson Falls, New York, a blue-gray magnesian limestone containing numerous fossils. Dedication ceremonies were delayed until 1891, when President Benjamin Harrison attended the ceremonies and held a reception at the nearby Walloomsac Inn. Today the Bennington Battle Monument is a Vermont State Historic Site.

The monument is the tallest man-made structure in Vermont. From its observatory level at 200 feet, which can be reached by elevator (but not the stairs, which are closed), one can see Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. A kettle captured from General Burgoyne's camp at Saratoga is visible in the monument along with a diorama of the second engagement, and information on how the monument was built. Statues of John Stark ("Live free or die"), Seth Warner, and other notables ornament the grounds.

The monument, while 10 miles from the relevant battlefield, is located very close to the Catamount Tavern where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys dwelt.

gervaso, avene, BelCan75, yedirenk, Gerrit, phwall, parbo, vmf-214, rodgerg, snunney, Royaldevon, Dyerco, trekks, fulvio52, Charo, Bluejeans has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

geester (0) 2009-02-20 10:38

Hi Tom,

My new rule is to comment on every photo I open. I opened yours. yey:-)
Great note (I've got a real bee in my bonnet about notes tonight) and a good photo. The monument is just the tiniest bit off straight. But hey, it's teh monument right? The horizon is level.

Cheers

G

gervaso (5208) 2009-02-20 10:44

Hello, Tom!

Great perspective, with these trees parcially covering the monument! Colors are also great! Beautiful composition! Well done!

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-02-20 10:53

Nice one Tom, this is a really interesting monument, something I need to go see this year. The tree lined road looks like it would provide some issues once they leaf in. As always you have done a fine job and provided us a great note. Great capture.

Greg

avene (10982) 2009-02-20 11:08

hi Tom,
the monument at the end of the road creates an impression that the road is going straight up into the sky :) interesting how the light feels very spring-like, even if it is only mid-February, I guess it's the clarity that feels fresh and full of energy. I like a lot the strong perspective, good use of the trees to add a natural frame around the monument.

regards,
Kristine

jplebrun (16966) 2009-02-20 11:44

Hi Tom
de toute beauté ce monument qui s'élève dans le ciel tout bleu entre tous ces arbres, beau travail.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre
P.S. je remarque qu'il n'y a plus beaucoup de neige

BelCan75 (2418) 2009-02-20 12:26

Hello Tom,

Great shot with a beautiful POV and great depth. This photo has such bright and lively colours, I really like. Wonderful work!

Greetings,
Ann

yedirenk (7351) 2009-02-20 13:46

Hi Tom,
very impressive depth with superb point of view.soft light and sharpness are excellent.great monument scene under the blue sky.an eye catcher shot.well done.TFS
Best Regards

Cevdet

Gerrit (35697) 2009-02-20 14:31

HYi Tom,
strong photo with firm lines and a very clear composition.
Regards, gerrit

phwall (5562) 2009-02-20 16:21

Hi Tom,
The only stoush we had with the British was at the Eureka Stockade when a bunch of miners got pretty uppity with the poms, unfortunately the miners got severely whipped, but it was the confrontation that started the process of Australia becoming a federation. Our monument is nothing compared to this wonderful piece.
Superb capture, the composition using the path through the trees to accentuate the monument is excellent.
Beautiful colours and as always superb definition.
Cheers
Peter

asajernigan (14132) 2009-02-20 16:45

Tom,
This is a well composed shot of the Bennington monument. The trees provide excellent framing for the shot. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and DOF. The deep blue sky provides a nice backdrop for the shot. Very informative note!!!
TFS,
Asa

parbo (10970) 2009-02-20 17:56

Hello Tom,

Excellent view and capture of famous statue from center of road. The road, naked trees at both sides are almost created a symmetrical scene. I liked blue sky's splendid contrast with statue and trees. Congratulations. Have a nice weekend.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

vmf-214 (1622) 2009-02-20 23:29

Hi Tom,

Great POV of Bennington Battle Monument, Looking down the road with trees on each side. Lovely shadows of the trees on the road and topped off by a wonderful blue sky for background, Great clarity and detail. Great note too Tom.

Best regards
Jason.

carper (64804) 2009-02-21 0:04

very nice one Tom.
a good perspective leading us to the monument, fine composition, good photo job here, have a good weekend.
regard jaap

rodgerg (24029) 2009-02-21 0:46

Hello Tom,

Nice view of this monument with a good use of vertical format, a great depht of field, a pleasant symetric effect, beautiful shades of threes and a superb blue color in the sky very well collected.
Have a good WE,
Roger

snunney (34868) 2009-02-21 1:13

Hello Tom,
A fine symmetrical view on this monument with the eyes being guided straight to it along the tree lined road. It does seem to be tilting slightly towards the right but not a major issue. Good colours and sharpness.

Royaldevon (5932) 2009-02-21 3:41

Hello Tom,

Again, some interesting notes to give your photograph a context.

Great pov, using the tree-lined avenue to guide to the memorial. I like how the shadow dappling adds tones and interest.
Your composition has taken me right back to history lessons where there was a Triumphal Way lined with welcoming, adoring people ... can you see it?

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Dyerco (9070) 2009-02-21 5:38

Well done Tom
The road draws the eye right up to the monument and the line of bare trees help direct the eye as well. The exposure was well handled.
Phil

trekks (14306) 2009-02-21 7:18

hi Tom

A good note to tell us about this monument and what better way to share on TE than this kind of post. A slight tilt of the monument but the good capture of the blue sky, the spring look and the tall monument filling up the space is a great view at the end of the path. Good work.

tfs, bill

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-02-21 12:40

Hi, Tom.
Great comprehensive job, as always. The note alone is worth already a few smileys and the shot is one of those that grow on you in all their charming simplicity. Good angle and fine light management, that's all you need here. Funny how it all feels sort of Spring-like, must be those blue skies so rare here in Holland... Have a great weekend, y'all. See ya soon,
Fulvio.

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-02-21 17:14

Hello Tom
It looks very cold in this image, fine shadows on the road while the monument stands and reaches to the cloudless blue skies. A perfect pov with the details and exposures spot on.
Excellent read of the note.
Regards
Jim

Charo (31671) 2009-02-22 15:27

Hello Tom,
Impressive height of the obelisk, dedicated to a historic battle. great perspective from the line of trees leads to it. Excellent colors and details.
Greetings,
Charo

Bluejeans (32269) 2009-02-23 5:21

Ola Tom ,
Que monumento interessante tem uma altura enorme , mas achei esta rua rodeada de árvores dum lado e do outro fantástica , boa profundidade de foto , boas cores ,parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo