Vermont Then & Now
Why do historians compare the past and the present?
Over time, some things change and some things stay the same. Historians compare and contrast different time periods. They look at what has changed and what has stayed the same. Historians also think about why things have changed.
Look at these two photographs of Main Street in Montpelier. Slide the button across to compare the two images.
Find the building at the end of the street that is the same in both photographs. (Hint, it's at the top right). How have the other buildings changed? How has transportation changed? How has the street stayed the same?
Why did some things change and others stay the same?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.8d657ebd.montpelierstatestreet2020.jpg)
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.ea86500a.montpeliermain1870s.jpg)
Read these stories about Vermont at different times in history. Think about the ways Vermont has changed and the ways Vermont has stayed the same.
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.6667b7fd.donttrashvermont1990s.jpg)
Vermont in the 1990s
What was Vermont like a generation ago?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.729b1c97.bromleyalpineslide.jpg)
Vermont in the 1980s
What was Vermont like in the 1980s?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.6bb6bb51.champlainbridgebrochure.jpg)
Vermont in the 1920s
What was Vermont like a century ago?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.407dfa31.piriequarry.jpg)
Vermont in the 1910s
What was Vermont like in the 1910s?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.3b232680.watrouscolormontpelier1821.jpg)
Vermont in the 1820s?
What was Vermont like two centuries ago?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.9e9e8167.hayingbrattleborodec1890.jpg)
Vermont Dairy Farm Workers
How has work on a dairy farm changed over time?
![Vermont Then & Now](/client_media/crops/default.fd28b183.f_flo_1927_winooski_lowerfalls.jpg)
Vermont Flood Disasters
How did historic flooding events affect Vermont over time?
Learn More
Follow the links below to explore related topics.
How has Barre changed over time?
How has Bennington changed over time?
How has Brattleboro changed over time?
How has Burlington changed over time?
How has Montpelier changed over time?