History

How the Friends Began

The Friends of the Morrill Homestead was formed by a group of community members, historians, and preservation advocates who shared a common goal: to support and sustain the legacy of the Morrill Homestead. Recognizing the site’s national significance and its role in telling the story of Senator Justin Smith Morrill, these volunteers came together to ensure that the homestead would remain an active place of learning, interpretation, and public engagement.
From the beginning, the Friends worked in partnership with the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation to provide additional resources, volunteer energy, and community advocacy for the site. What started as a small group of dedicated supporters quickly grew into a vibrant nonprofit organization committed to preserving the homestead and expanding the ways people can experience it.

Our Mission

The Friends of the Morrill Homestead exists to support the preservation, interpretation, and public enjoyment of the Morrill Homestead State Historic Site. Through fundraising, volunteerism, and community programming, the organization helps ensure that the homestead remains a place where visitors can explore the life and legacy of Senator Morrill and better understand the history of education, public service, and civic leadership in the United States.

Our work centers on three core priorities:
Preservation – helping protect and maintain the historic buildings, landscape, and collections associated with the Morrill Homestead.
Education – supporting programs, exhibits, and events that bring the history of the site to life for visitors of all ages.
Community Engagement – building strong connections between the homestead and the broader community through partnerships, events, and volunteer opportunities.

Our Impact

Since its founding, the Friends of the Morrill Homestead has played a vital role in enhancing the visitor experience and strengthening the site’s connection to the public.

The organization has supported a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Funding special projects and improvements that enhance preservation and interpretation of the historic property.
• Organizing educational programs, lectures, and community events
• Recruiting and coordinating volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service
• Providing financial support for exhibits, programming, and visitor engagement initiatives

Through these efforts, the Friends help ensure that the Morrill Homestead continues to serve as a place where history is preserved, stories are shared, and new generations can connect with the ideals that shaped Senator Morrill’s life and legacy.

Today, the Friends of the Morrill Homestead remains a dedicated partner in stewarding this important historic site—working to preserve its past while helping it thrive for the future.