LONDONDERRY, Vt. – Don’t miss the preview party on Friday, Sept. 1, at 5:30 p.m., at the Londonderry Arts and Historical Society’s (LAHS) headquarters, the Custer Sharp House, 2461 Middletown Road. This will be your opportunity to get a sneak preview of “First Tracks: Londonderry and the Birth of Burton.” Join the LAHS and mountain towns community for an evening of mingling with people who helped make snowboarding happen, sharing stories of the 70s and 80s, delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Go to www.lahsvt.org to make your reservation.
The “First Tracks: Londonderry and the Birth of Burton” exhibit explores how, in a small Vermont town, a dynamic young innovator, the late Jake Burton Carpenter, the founder of Burton Snowboards, created not only an industry, but also a culture and international movement. The Londonderry exhibit celebrates the early days of Burton, where the company was based from 1977-1981, and highlights those who worked alongside Jake and Donna Carpenter, testing and perfecting each snowboard iteration. From roadside hills and hidden trails at Snow Valley, to halfpipes built by local enthusiasts, snowboarding history runs deep in southern Vermont, and this special exhibit pays tribute to many Londonderry locals who played a role in the early days of snowboarding.
The exhibit will include memorabilia, photos, videos, and storyboards from the late 70s to early 90s, featuring the snowboarding “pioneers,” and those who contributed to the development of the Burton board, many of whom still reside in our area today. The exhibit will also highlight local former pro snowboarders hailing from southern Vermont, including Burton U.S. Open competitors Mark Heingartner, Tara Eberhard, Hobie Chittenden, Mike Hayes, Steve Hayes, Olympians Betsy Shaw, Ludlow native and Olympic gold medalist Kelly Clark, and Ross Powers, who won bronze in 1998 and gold in 2002.
If you can’t make the preview party, regular exhibit hours will be posted at the website above.