Archives

Park-McCullough's vast collection of over 37,000 paper archives documents four generations of this North Bennington family. The first generation is that of Hiland and Dolly Hall, then, their children, specifically, Laura and her husband Trenor Park. Trenor and Laura's children dominate the third generation, specifically their daughter, Lizzie (Eliza) and her husband John G. McCullough. The fourth and final generation is that of John and Lizzie's children, especially their daughter Bess and their son Hall Park McCullough.

The archives contain correspondence, diaries, financial records, photographs, and house and building history. The collections document the political and public life of the family. Both Hiland Hall and John G. McCullough were governors of Vermont and Trenor Park was a successful lawyer who managed the Mariposa mines. All family members were great philanthropists.

The collection also documents private life and logistics of running a vast estate. Lizzie's paper are extensive--she ran the household from 1865-1938. Included are her plans for President Benjamin Harrison's visit. The papers detail many of the details of domestic life. Personal correspondence and papers are revealing, particularly the Lizzie's personal diaries and her love letters with John. Generally, the collection documents high society and cultural life in New York, Vermont, and California.

The collection is currently housed at the University of Vermont and researchers are permitted access to the papers. Contact special collections at 802-656-0143.