Vergennes, city in Addison County, Vermont, United States
Vergennes is a small city in Addison County, Vermont, covering just under 2 square miles (about 5 sq km). The downtown is built around historic brick buildings, including an 1897 opera house and a 1912 Greek Revival library, all within easy walking distance of each other.
Vergennes was founded in 1788 and became Vermont's first officially recognized city. The Revolutionary War leader Ethan Allen proposed the name to honor the French diplomat Comte de Vergennes for his role in ending the conflict.
The city's name honors the French foreign minister Comte de Vergennes, who played a key role in the peace negotiations that ended the Revolutionary War. Today, the downtown is home to locally owned shops, small galleries, and seasonal events that keep the community life active.
The downtown is easy to walk through, with most points of interest close together in a compact area. Button Bay State Park and the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum are nearby and best reached by car.
Near the city, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum gives certified divers the chance to explore sunken shipwrecks beneath the lake's surface. The museum also keeps a real yellow submarine on display, which surprises many first-time visitors.
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