VCBS Agenda
Our society is a non-profit organization, founded in 2000, dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Vermont's remaining covered bridges. Since our founding, we have committed ourselves to generating public awareness and government consciousness to the importance of the preservation of our covered bridges. Our membership consists of over 120 members scattered throughout the US and Canada. We host two meetings each year, the "Annual Spring Meeting" and the "Annual Fall Meeting". All members and the public are invited to attend. The meetings are held throughout the state in towns that have covered bridges.
Our quarterly newsletter, The Bridger, our website, www.vermontbridges.org, and our membership are our tools to promote preservation of covered bridges.
Most of the covered bridges in Vermont are owned and maintained by the towns. Our role is to watch these bridges to see that they are properly maintained and protected. For this we have instituted the Bridge-watch Program. All of our members are encouraged to participate in Bridge-watch. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has instituted a covered bridge maintenance program consistent with the rules laid down by the U.S. Department of the Interior regulations for the maintenance of structures on the National Register of Historic Places. VTrans inspects all of Vermont's covered bridges on the state highway system offering the towns engineering services and access to funding. This is overseen by the VTrans Historic Bridge Committee, upon which the Vermont Covered Bridge Society has a seat.
To help preserve the covered bridge heritage, the Society collects, displays and preserves covered bridge artifacts, photographs, histories, and lore.
In accordance with the preservation agenda, the VCBS provides fellowship for covered bridge enthusiasts with dinners, fairs, picnics, and other outings held in communities all over Vermont.
