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Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & IFWTWA Media Trip ITINERARY
The Birthplace of "GREEN" Woodstock, Vermont
Welcomes IFWTWA Journalists
Nights of May 17, 18 and 19
Pre Trip May 15
Post Trip May 20
The greater area Woodstock Chamber of Commerce welcomes our IFWTWA press guests to the greater Woodstock, Vermont region. Below please find an itinerary (subject to change) that we think you will find both informative and enjoyable. Please note that we have made a concerted effort to focus on the sustainable qualities that make our state and in particular this region so intensely beautiful – and interesting.
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PRE TRIP
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Friday, May 15 |
Arrive Vermont; destination for two-night in-the-woods adventure; only for folks in really great condition as is a race training camp. Rustic accommodations for overnight. Very limited numbers for this part of the trip.
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Saturday, May 16 |
In the woods adventure. Rustic accommodations for overnight. Race training camp.
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Sunday, May 17 |
depart for Woodstock and activities there
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MAIN TRIP
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Sunday May 17 |
Transportation from host airport, Burlington, will be arranged.
Arrive in Woodstock; check in to assigned accommodations.
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Please be on time at all of the scheduled itinerary stops noted below as our
tour guides and hosts are making a special effort to accommodate us.
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6:30PM |
Hosted dinner TBA.
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Monday May 18
8AM |
Hosted breakfast at assigned accommodation (please see below)
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9:00AM |
Travel to Quechee for visits to Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) and talk with naturalist; enjoy easy walk along river of Quechee Gorge; visit Simon Pearce, home of glass blowing artisans representing the human sustainabilitly side of the region through culture and the arts.
VINS is a 46-mixed-acre-habitat nature preserve dedicated to environmental research and research on owls, hawks, falcons and eagles. Highly interesting to children. There are 17 state-of-the-art raptor exhibits housing over 40 native, non-releasable hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, owls and ravens. Two years ago VINS Rehabilitation Center admitted a total of 306 birds requiring assistance. There are a nature shop, classroom, a walking trail along the Ottauquechee River, and a behind-the-scenes animal care facility.
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LUNCH |
TBD
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AFTERNOON |
Enroute back to Woodstock swing by Sugarbush Farm ( www.sugarbushfarm.com 802/457-1757). Witness a modern working farm with sugaring operations. Taste maple syrup and an assortment of cheeses; take a nature walk; view exhibits and a wedding chapel. Interesting for children.
Return to Woodstock for IFWTWA meeting; place TBD.
Remainder of this day's schedule dependent on length of time of meeting. TBD
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Tuesday May 19
7:30AM |
Hosted breakfast at assigned accommodation (please see below)
Depart breakfast in time to walk (from downtown) 9 AM meeting place.
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9:00AM |
Visit Billings Farm and Museum, "Gateway to Vermont's Rural Heritage" and gather at the entrance to the Visitor Center. At 9:00 sharp, we will view "A Place In The Land," a highly informative and entertaining movie (Academy Award nominated) of three great Woodstock conservationists; George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings, and Laurance Spelman Rockefeller. Movie ends at 9:35AM and then cross the road to the Rockefeller Mansion.
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9:45AM |
The staff of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park ( www.nps.gov/mabi/mabi/home.htm Billingsfarm.com 802/457-3368 ext. 12), will conduct a tour of the facilities and grounds, with a special emphasis on Woodstock as the birthplace of the environmental movement in the United States. This National Historic Landmark offers a 20-mile network of hiking trails with Victorian mansion (Tiffany windows) open for guided tours May-Oct. Focus is conservation history and evolving nature of land stewardship in America. There will also be a discussion of local sites related to Civil War activities in Woodstock.
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11:00AM |
Return to the Billings Farm and Museum (across the road), a turn-of-the century (circa 1890) working farm ( www.BillingsFarm.org 802/457-2355). The Billings Farm and Museum, one of the country's premier dairy farms and farm life museums, is keeping alive the spirit and values of Vermont's rural heritage. Explore the horse barn, calf nursery, milk room, and dairy barn and get comfortable with the famous Jersey cows, oxen, sheep, and work horses through interactive activities, programs, and events.
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12:15PM |
Gather back at the Visitor Center where a bag lunch will be distributed. You may eat at The Billings Farm or walk/drive the short way into the village. There you can enjoy lunch on a bench on the Village Green or get a table riverside near Woodstock Coffee.
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1:00PM |
Woodstock Village. Time to wander through the village on your own.
Become acquainted with Woodstock's nationally recognized artists featured in numerous local galleries.
Browse through shops featuring local and internationally produced wares.
NOTE: We will be making special note of businesses in downtown Woodstock who focus on sustainability.
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2:45PM |
Be back (PROMPTLY PLEASE!!) at the Billings Farm Parking Lot for trip to Calvin Coolidge Historical Site.
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3:15PM |
Arrive Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site ( www.HistoricVermont.org/Coolidge 802/672-3773). Learn about the man who never lost an election, who was among the few presidents not sworn in in Washington D.C., and who was the only president to be sworn in by his father. Tour President Coolidge's birthplace (which hasn't changed much) with Director Bill Jennings.
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5:00PM |
Sustainability in action. Tour the workshop of Miranda Thomas, world-renowned potter ( www.shackletonthomas.com 802/672-5175) and Charles Shackleton, expert furniture craftsman. See how ceramic and furniture creations progress from design stage through to finished product.
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5:30PM |
Reception at Charles Shackleton
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6:30PM |
Return to lodging establishments to freshen up before dinner. Innkeepers will provide directions to dinner.
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7:30PM |
Hosted dinner (non-hosted on-own beverages). Place TBD.
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Wednesday MAY 20
8:00AM |
Hosted breakfast at assigned accommodation followed by check-out
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9:00AM |
Optional and weather dependent: Appalachian Trail walk (guided). (Rt. 12 North, 3.4 miles past iron bridge). Parking at Frost Mills Parking Field in Woodstock Village (your innkeeper hosts will provide directions). Please bring walking/hiking shoes and your own insect repellant. The access to trail is slightly steep but levels out. A representative from The Appalachian Trail Conservancy will lead you into the wilderness!
JOURNALIST NOTE: PLEASE TELL INNKEEPERS IF YOU WILL PARTICIPATING IN THIS WALK SO THAT WE CAN BE PREPARED.
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POST TRIP
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WEDNESDAY MAY 20 |
King Arthur Flour hosts for a baking class. (post trip numbers limited)
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THURSDAY MAY 21 |
depart for airport
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