MORRISVILLE VT

MORRISVILLE VT

Copley Bandstand

Peoples Academy Grounds

Built - 1931

Morrisville is not your sleepy and quaint Vermont town but is a vibrant one and the center for commerce, services and State of Vermont branch offices and industries. It does still retain all of the inner and outer loveliness you would expect from a Vermont village with its people being very community-spirited surrounded by an exquisite countryside.

The town was first chartered to Moses Morse and associates with the town named after the family from New York who were famous for their roles in Colonial Government. Lewis Morris was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence as well as being a Brigadier General in the American Revolutionary War. His brother, Richard, was a noted jurist and succeeded John Jay as Chief Justice of the New York Superior Court. His half brother, Governor Morris, was also a member of Congress and is generally credited with having designed our decimal coinage system.

Late in the 19th century, the growth of the town was related to the arrival of the railroad that also helped to create the unique style of architecture of the buildings in town of which became the economic and social center of the county.

The Copley Bandstand was built in 1931 on the People's Academy Grounds. There were earlier bandstand structures in the town of Morrisville, but none on this site. It has served as the venue for the Morristown Military Band and was financed by A. H. Copley. At the dedication ceremonies, an estimated 2,000 people were there and was presented by Chief Justice George M. Powers who was the first speaker on the program followed by others and a few selections from the Morrisville Military Band.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

Mary West, Librarian