FREC works on restoring the natural landscape of Carse Wetlands in Hinesburg, Vermont. We are lucky to get to learn with and from this land. Learn more about the history of Carse below.
Prehistory |
Chittenden county’s landscape, like much of northwestern Vermont, was sculpted by glaciers into flat, farmable land, owing to floodplains from the LaPlatte and Winooski rivers. Native peoples, some of whom would become who we know as the Abenaki, would follow the paths of the retreating glaciers. This would soon develop into the “Woodland Period” marked by early agriculture at major settlements along larger rivers. This is shown by shards of clay pots, woven fabric, and arrowheads found at archaeological sites.
|
European Settlement |
Starting in the 18th century, European settlers from colonies in Connecticut and Massachusetts established in what is now known as Hinesburg. It was named after Abel Hine, then called Hinesburgh, who was the original grantee. When the town started it had a population of only 65, but by the end of the American Revolution it blossomed to 454 residents and was granted as farming land by New Hampshire.
|
Agricultural Identity |
At first these farms were subsistence operations but developed into sheep farming in the 19th century. Vermont is now known across the country for its dairy industry, and in the early 1800s Hinesburgh built its first creamery. Other industries included mills along rivers for processing timber and wool. The neighborhood known as “Mechanicsville” derives its name from the 215-year industrial history powered by Hinesburg’s rivers. In the 1900s agriculture moved from hills down into flat areas because of increased mechanization, regulation, and depleted soils.
|
Carse Wetland Today |
The land we are on right now, the UVM-managed natural area, Carse Wetland, followed this agricultural development, and was used for ranching as recently as the last 50 years. Before the land was purchased by Henry Carse Jr., it was called Fletcher Farm. The lineage of ownership can be traced back to 1840 in the Hinesburg land records over nine transactions. The rich history of this land is fascinating, and there is always more to learn!
|