Write a Letter to Your Ancestors

Trains replaced stagecoaches for mail delivery in Vermont by the mid 1800s. Rail service made delivering the mail quicker and cheaper. Through mail or telegrams, Vermonters kept in touch with their relatives who had left to serve in the Civil War or make their way out west. We know of at least 10 post offices in Vermont that operated in the train depot. In these instances, the postmaster often did triple duty, serving also as the station agent and telegraph agent.

Roll your mouse over the mail boxes below and click to explore some examples of Vermont letters.
Then write a letter to your ancestors in the guestbook below. How would you describe yourself?
What news would you share with them? Where do you think they lived?

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