BOSWELL BOTANY TRAIL AT SVAC

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The Southern Vermont Arts Center’s Boswell Botany Trail, a rambling, three-quarter mile nature trail dotted with rustic seats and benches, began its long career in 1917 as the nature walk of the original Webster estate. It was officially designated as the Boswell Botany Trail, in honor of its creator, Mrs. Harold “Petie” Boswell, in 1964. The trail was re-created and greatly expanded in 2001 thanks to funds from the Nichols Foundation and work of the Garden Club of Manchester, whose members maintain the trail currently. 

 

Today the trail has many varieties of wildflowers, trees and flora, and most of the 67 varieties of fern found in Vermont, all in a unique glacial microclimate. The trail is easily explored at a leisurely pace by most walkers in a half-hour or less. 

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Click here for a Trail Map and additional info

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Ongoing work..... 2026

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This year’s trail maintenance was completed under the leadership of committee chair Trina Childs, with the expertise and support of Claudia Burns, Martha and Rich Heilemann, and the dedicated members of the Boswell Trail Committee. In addition, students from Stratton Mountain School, guided by Oliver Adler, Dylan McKee, and Nico Muella, provided plenty of extra muscle and enthusiasm. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the project a success!

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Read the full story here that appeared in the Bennington Banner May 2026

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Photos from the day