FERRISBURGH — Naturalist and author Judy Chaves will lead a  “virtual” hike up Mt. Philo on Sept. 23, at 3 p.m. at Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh. Chaves’ illustrated talk, using then-and-now photos, old maps, and even a bit of poetry, will share what historic gems lie hidden within plain sight in the park.
Overlooking the Champlain Valley from its vantage point in southern Chittenden County, Mt. Philo has been enjoyed by generations of residents and visitors seeking outdoor enjoyment. The landscape history of Mt. Philo, Vermont’s first state park, is the landscape history of Vermont, in miniature. “Sheep fever,” the devastating deforestation of the mid-1800s, Vermont’s early tourism industry, the early conservation and park movements, reforestation — it’s all there on the mountain, if you know where to look.
Chaves, a North Ferrisburgh resident and long-time Mt. Philo hiker, has spent eight years researching the mountain’s history and has recently written a guidebook to the park’s historic sites. Signed copies of the guidebook will be available for purchase. The program is co-sponsored by the Ferrisburgh Historical Society. Admission is $5 or free with Museum admission or membership in FHS or Rokeby Museum.