Vermont

Executive Order Puts Vermont History Projects in Jeopardy

Published

12 months ago

March 19, 2025

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Executive Order Puts Vermont History Projects in Jeopardy

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courtesy of Vermont Historical Society
Hannah Kirkpatrick (left) with Kelly Bartlett and Catharine Hays of the Bixby Memorial Free Library in Vergennes

One of President Donald Trump’s executive orders threatens to stop funding for the Vermont Historical Society’s milestone COVID-19 project. The work, a three-year oral history initiative, is virtually complete. The book it produced, Life Became Very Blurry: An Oral History of COVD-19 in Vermont, hits bookstores on Tuesday, March 25, and a podcast with the same name comes out three days later.

The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the historical society a $137,000 grant over three years to help cover the $250,000 project’s cost, and the money has been spent. The agency is one of seven the president now seeks to dismantle. The historical society has yet to receive the grant’s final $30,000.

New Book Chronicles COVID-19 Oral Histories in Vermont

Garrett Graff

New Book Chronicles COVID-19 Oral Histories in Vermont

By Ken Picard

History

Normally, the nonprofit would have several more months to submit a request for the final payout, but staffers are scrambling to file it this week. “We’re worried,” project director Amanda Kay Gustin said on Tuesday.

The IMLS awarded Vermont $1.4 million in 2024. The bulk of the money, $1.2 million, went to the Vermont Department of Libraries through the Grants to States program, the largest source of federal funding support for library services in the U.S. The money accounts for a third of the department’s annual budget and supports resources shared by libraries statewide, including interlibrary loan, databases, ebooks, audiobooks and workforce development programs.

It is unclear what effect the executive order will have, state librarian and Commissioner of Libraries Catherine Delneo said in an email. According to the order, signed last Friday, it “continues the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary.” The IMLS, along with agencies that address homelessness, support minority-owned businesses and oversee the Voice of America media network, were ordered “eliminated to the maximum extent” allowed by law.

Courts have blocked other attempts by the administration to shrink the government. A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that efforts to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution and ordered operations to be partially restored. Two rulings last week called for agencies to rehire employees fired because they had probationary status.

The Vermont Department of Libraries and the Vermont Historical Society are among organizations nationwide swirling in uncertainties. The historical society’s COVID-19 project is the first statewide compilation of pandemic oral history.

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Life Became Very Blurry: An Oral History of COVID-19 in Vermont, edited by Garrett M. Graff - COURTESY

Courtesy
Life Became Very Blurry: An Oral History of COVID-19 in Vermont, edited by Garrett M. Graff

“This is the kind of work that we know is just absolutely crucial to do,” said Gustin, the historical society’s director of collections and access.

Talking to people soon after a momentous event allows historians to record personal, intimate and emotional details that will fade over time, information essential to understanding the event and to learning from it, Gustin continued. “And this is the kind of project that is absolutely not possible without federal funding partners,” she said.

If funding is denied, “we’ll have a sizable hole in our budget,” Gustin added. “I don’t have a good answer for exactly what our next steps would be.”

A separate $180,000 grant from IMLS allowed the historical society last summer to launch a program to help the state’s 190 historical societies assess and improve their collections. The historical society has started looking for alternate funding to replace the grant money — if needed — in order to save the project and the job of its program director, Hannah Kirkpatrick, who began work in October.

Prospects now look dim for the historical society’s hope to create a digital platform — a one-stop portal — that would allow users to access historical material held in the collections of historical societies and museums around the state.

In a letter posted online and on social media, historical society executive director Stephen Perkins and president Jan Albers spelled out potential losses and expressed gratitude for members, volunteers, donations and encouragement. “We will continue to press on with our work,” they wrote.

They also encouraged support for libraries. “History is housed in libraries. Libraries hold the books that tell our stories, they have rich histories that are intertwined with our towns and villages, and often the local historical society is housed right in the library,” they wrote. “Local libraries are community hubs, where children congregate after school and older Vermonters access resources.”

The six other agencies named in last Friday’s executive order are the Federal Mediation and Concilation Service, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency.

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Vermont

VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 8-7-7

Evening: 0-3-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 1-8-1-2

Evening: 0-3-1-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time

A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.

Fox – Seattle

Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?

As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.

In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.

Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.

History of Henry Sheldon Museum

According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.

The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.

This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.

How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum

Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.

Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.

Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.

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Vermont

Spaulding wrestling dethrones Mount Anthony, ends 36-year title reign

Published

2 days ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Spaulding wrestling dethrones Mount Anthony, ends 36-year title reign

Editor’s note: For the full championship story and photos, visit HERE.

HINESBURG — For the first time since 1988, there is a new Vermont high school wrestling state champion.

Spaulding dethroned Mount Anthony, ending the Patriots’ 36-year reign with an impressive team performance at the state championship at Champlain Valley Union High School on Feb, 28, 2026.

The Crimson Tide scored grapplers in 12 out of 14 weight classes and had seven of them competing in final matches.

Spaulding, which locked up the title before final matches commenced, finished with 236.5 points to MAU’s 195.

This is Spaulding’s first title since 1984. MAU’s unchallenged championship run was a national record for wrestling. It ranks sixth all-time for consecutive state titles among all high school sports in the country.

Check back later for an updated story and photo gallery at burlingtonfreepress.com.

Team scores (final)

1. Spaulding 236; 2. Mount Anthony 195; 3. Middlebury 134.5; 4. Vergennes 123; 5. Otter Valley 121; 6. Colchester 96; 7. Essex 86; 8. Mount Abraham 85.5; 9. Harwood 67; 10. Springfield 54; 11. Fair Haven 52; 12. Mount Mansfield 44; 13. Burr and Burton 43; 14. North Country 38.5; 15. Mill River 38; 16. St. Johnsbury 37.5; 17. Champlain Valley 36; 18. Lyndon 33; 19. South Burlington 29; 20. Randolph 28; 21. Rutland 26; 22. U-32 12; 23. Lamoille 11; 24. Lake Region 6; T25. BFA-Fairfax, Rice 3.

106-pound final: Wesley Churchill (Spa) def. Fernando Oyola (MAU) for 14-3 win (major decision)

Winner: Churchill caps the evening of finals with with a state title as the No. 3 seed, beating the top-ranked grappler in this division. Churchill was fifth a year ago at 106.

Other place finishers: 3. Tolkein Lawlor (MMU); 4. Brady Babcock (OV); 5. Mason Douglass (U-32); 6. Sam Dyer (Rut).

113-pound final: Sylas Race (MAU) def. Lucas Colby (Spa) for 8-7 win

Winner: In the first match of the finals, Race builds a 7-0 lead before Colby storms back in the final period. But Race holds on for the 8-7 victory. The match was stopped three times for what appeared to be a bloody nose.

Other place finishers: 3. Caleb Woodward (OV); 4. Addie Smith (Verg); 5. Colton Jones (MR); 6. Liem Moller (CVU).

120-pound final: Brayden Buchanan (Essex) def. Mason Sheltra (Col) for 16-1 win (tech fall)

Winner: The sophomore Buchanan polishes off his second straight title, securing a tech fall (margin of 15 or more points) in the final seconds of the match. Buchanan celebrates with a back flip. Sheltra was going for a third state title.

Other place finishers: 3. Miles Goetz (Midd); 4. Duncan Klinck (Har); 5. Vincent Deysenroth (MAU); 6. Darien Haselton (CVU).

126-pound final: Cahota LaFond (Col) def. Eion Comes (NC) for 17-0 win (tech fall)

Winner: LaFond completes a fourth straight state title with a tech fall in the final seconds of the first period. The senior, who surpassed 200 career wins last month, celebrates with a take down to the mat of his coach, Scott McPhearson.

Other place finishers: 3. Jackson Brown (MMU); 4. Adrien Provencher (Verg); 5. Grady Thurston (Spa); 6. Eric Whitten (Har).

132-pound final: Stephen Kittredge (Verg) def. Anthony Szabo (FH) for 7-4 overtime win

Winner: In the early moments of a 1-minute overtime period, Kittredge uncorks impressive takedown for the three points and state title, his first after finishing runner-up at 126 in 2025.

Other place finishers: 3. Dylan Jacobs (Col); 4. Landon Wilcox (OV); 5. Nate Sackett (Har); 6. Cole Brown (Lyn).

138-pound final: Asa Reis (MAU) def. Karter Morey (Lyn) for 17-4 win (major decision)

Winner: Reis seizes his second title in three years, taking early lead and cruising to the major decision. A year ago, Reis was runner-up in this weight class.

Other place finishers: 3. Colby Belden (FH); 4. Mo Hussein (SB); 5. Camden Ayer (CVU); 6. Gavin Winnie (Spa).

144-pound final: Duncan Harrington (MAU) def. Michael Grasso (Spa) for 10-3 win

Winner: Harrington gets his third straight state crown. Harrington scored a pair of takedowns in the first period to take control.

Other place finishers: 3. Jackson Scribner (Verg); 4. Anthony Abetti (BBA); 5. Carter Jones (Essex); 6. Wyatt Tarbell (MR).

150-pound final: Isayah Isham (MTA) pins Tyler Monick (MAU)

Winner: With 17 seconds left in the second period, Isham pins Monick for his state title. Isham, who took third a year ago, was up 10-1 prior to his pin.

Other place finishers: 3. James Marcellus (Spa); 4. Jackson Ladd (SJ); 5. Micah Perez (Rut); 6. Chase Tefts-Young (Col).

157-pound final: Nicky Service (Har) def. Mason Atkins (MTA) for 9-7 win

Winner: Service is the first Harwood wrestler to win a state title since Kyle Streeter in 2013.

Other place finishers: 3. Logan Slater (Spa); 4. Connor Decker (SJ); 5. Jason Sperry (Midd); 6. Jeremy Glodgett (NC).

165-pound final: Noah Dunster (Spa) def. Blake Allen (OV) for 4-3 win

Winner: Dunster scored all of his points (escape, takedown) in the first period, hanging on to beat the top seed for his first state title.

Other place finishers: 3. Dimitri Jasinski (Spring); 4. Lincoln Painter (MTA); 5. Quinn Veth-McGovern (BBA); 6. Henry Dodge (SB).

175-pound final: Payton Lavoie (Verg) pins Caleb Hoar (Spa)

Winner: Lavoie earns his second straight crown with a first-period pin with 22 seconds left. Last year, Lavoie won the 190-pound class.

Other place finishers: 3. Ethan Patch (MR); 4. Parker Carl (Midd); 5. Jonathan Lake (Spring); 6. Max Potter (OV).

190-pound final: Maxwell LaPerle (Spa) def. Wyatt Kennett (Midd) for 20-2 win (tech fall)

Winner: After a scoreless first period, LaPerle led 5-1 through two periods before piling up two near falls and two takedowns for the tech fall victory.

Other place finishers: 3. Zane Cooper (Rand); 4. Keegan Reid (OV); 5. Abraham Kreuger (Lam); 6. Jacob Jamieson (FH).