‘For communities and for their history’

By LAYLA KALINEN
Eagle Times Correspondent
WINDSOR, VT — In 2026, the United States will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding, and to help commemorate the occasion, state historical societies across America are culling their archives for items related to national history.

In conjunction with the Vermont Historical Society (VHS), the Vermont Covered Foundation is offering remote communities the opportunity to share details of their family’s state and national heritage stories while also providing much-needed data on internet connectivity so it can be improved.

VHS is hoping to cull historical artifacts through their website including documents, photos and oral stories.

Eileen Corcoran, director of services and outreach for VHS said the two-fold mission is to get Vermonters, especially in remote areas, to contribute their pieces of history in celebration of the nation. “People can contribute anything. It could be home, military service, work, play, municipalities, legislature, cultural, local, indigenous or immigrants,” said Corcoran. Items can range from tax logs to birth certificates and more.

Vermont Covered is giving VHS $1,000 per remote community that has a hidden story that residents would like to share. Vermonters are asked to visit the Federal Communications Commission website to challenge low or non-existent internet and cell phone connectivity.

“This is for communities and for their history. If a community has a better idea for the money, it extends beyond historical societies to libraries and interested historically minded groups,” said Corcoran.

Shanna O’Berry of Vermont Covered said securing a better connection is as easy as submitting their information online.

“Companies like Comcast, T-Mobile have maps that claim connectivity for towns and regions that don’t exist. If we can receive as much data from people in remote locations, we will be able to document for the State of Vermont areas where money should be allocated,” said O’Berry.

She said that internet, now built into the national, regional and local infrastructure, is no longer a privilege but a need.

“I have been with four children in a car with no cell service in remote areas, and I am fine relying on the kindness of strangers. But I would also like to be able to fix the problem myself,” O’Berry said. “I talked with an EMT that was in an ambulance where they were performing lifesaving CPR and they had to drive around for 20 minutes to find cell service so they could receive instructions from the attending doctor.”

Vermonters are urged to go to the FCC website and report connectivity issues in their areas. Visit fcc.gov/BroadbandData. For more information on how Vermont Historical Society is celebrating America’s 250th, go to vermonthistory.org.