Drive through six Vermont covered bridges in one day

The State of Vermont has the highest number of covered bridges per square mile in the United States. A covered bridge is considered authentic not due to its age, but by its construction. An authentic bridge is constructed using trusses rather than other methods such as stringers.

The covered bridges of Vermont are among its most cherished historic resources and they are definitely worth a visit if you are touring Vermont.

Covered bridges were roofed and enclosed to protect the wooden structural elements from the weather, which in Vermont can be quite harsh. Structures such as these were an commonsense approach to make sure the bridge lasted a long time. As with the rest of the country, covered bridges have gradually been replaced as the result of expanding highway systems, intensive commercial development, and often physical neglect. Still, Vermont has the greatest concentration of covered bridges in the USA, and in the recent past has become dedicated to their preservation. Vermont law now protects all covered bridges and none can be torn down without the permission of the Governor and the Board of Historic Sites.What once was regarded as a symbol of lack of progress is now often the pride and centerpiece of Vermont towns.

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