Vermont HCR 206: House concurrent resolution commemorating the 160th anniversary of the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion in Bennington

Bill Text

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2026

VT LEG #387704 v.1
No. R-253. House concurrent resolution commemorating the 160th anniversary of
the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion in Bennington.
(H.C.R.206)
Offered by Representatives Greer of Bennington, Cooper of Pownal, Corcoran of
Bennington, Durfee of Shaftsbury, Morrissey of Bennington, and Nigro of Bennington
Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett
Whereas, the magnificent Victorian-era Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s
Mansion in Bennington was constructed from 1864–1865, is of French Second Empire
design with Romantic Revival elements, cost $75,000.00 to build, and boasts Henry
Dudley of New York City as its architect, and
Whereas, this superb edifice was built at the direction of prominent Bennington
attorney and entrepreneur, Trenor William Park, on the 200-acre farm of his father-in-
law, Hiland Hall (who served as Governor of Vermont from 1858–1860), and over the
decades, the farm expanded to 800 acres, and
Whereas, Eliza “Lizzie” Hall (Park) McCullough, Trenor Park’s oldest daughter,
indirectly inherited the mansion, buying out her siblings’ shares in the estate after their
father’s death in 1882, and
Whereas, she and her husband, John Griffith McCullough (who served as Governor of
Vermont from 1902–1904 and whose last name became permanently associated with the
home), renovated the mansion extensively from 1889–1890 in anticipation of President
Benjamin Harrison’s 1891 visit to dedicate the Bennington Battle Monument, and
Whereas, in 1965, a century of continuous family residency concluded, and in 1968,
the descendants of Trenor Park donated the mansion to the newly established Park-
McCullough House Association, Inc., and the 800 acres were divided, with the majority
of the land given to the Fund for North Bennington, Inc., which has conserved the land
for “agricultural use and public enjoyment,” and
Whereas, the Friends of Hiland Hall Gardens oversees an adjacent area, which was
part of the original estate, that leads to nine-plus miles of trails, and
Whereas, the Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion, which in 1972 was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now a beautifully restored house
museum, and the Park-McCullough House Association, Inc. sponsors theatrical
productions, concerts, summer reading events, outdoor wellness activities, and other
programs of community interest, and the mansion and its grounds are available for
weddings and other special occasions, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly commemorates the 160th anniversary of the Park-
McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion in Bennington, and be it further

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VT LEG #387704 v.1
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
the Park-McCullough House Association, Inc., the Friends of Hiland Hall Gardens, and
the Fund for North Bennington, Inc.