R-120 Page 1 of 1
2023
No. R-120. House concurrent resolution honoring Boy Scout Troop 1 in Barre on
becoming the official descendant of America’s first Boy Scout troop.
(H.C.R.97)
Offered by: Representatives Williams of Barre City, Anthony of Barre City, Galfetti of
Barre Town, and McFaun of Barre Town Whereas, on January 24, 1908, Robert Baden-Powell established the Boy Scout movement in England with the issuance of the first installment of his publication Scouting for Boys, and Whereas, the Boy Scouts of America were not officially organized until February 8,
1910, but the movement’s presence in the United States precedes that formal inauguration date, and Whereas, more than one Boy Scout troop has laid claim to the great honor of being the nation’s first, but no troop has a stronger claim to this distinction than Troop 1 in Barre,
with a history dating from 1909, when it met under the leadership of Barre resident William Foster Milne and the sponsorship of the First Baptist Church, and Whereas, the U.S. Postal Service has honored Troop 1’s pedigree, and an urn recognizing its historic status stands in front of the First Baptist Church, and Whereas, in November 2018, an even more impressive sculptural recognition of Troop
1’s legacy—a life-sized monument carved by local artisan Giuliano Cecchinelli II—was dedicated in Barre City’s Depot Square, and it depicts two Scouts, one draped over the other’s back in the fireman’s carry, and Whereas, Boy Scouting thrived for many years in Barre, but sadly, the changing times had reduced its presence to only two troops, 714 and 795, and Whereas, in 2022, the two troops merged and adopted the historic designation Troop 1,
and under the sponsorship of Granite Lodge #35 Free and Accepted Masons, the new Troop
1 is moving forward on an exciting path, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly honors Boy Scout Troop 1 in Barre on becoming the official descendant of America’s first Boy Scout troop, and be it further Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Boy Scout Troop 1 in Barre.
VT LEG #369931 v.1