This Place in History: Turkey Drives

Before the introduction of refrigerated or even motor transportation, Vermont farmers had one option bring their animals to markets in Boston: walking. In the summer, farmers would raise turkeys and then in the fall, make the 300 mile journey on foot. They'd feed the birds along the way to keep their weight up, and some would affix bells and even dip their feet in tar to keep them in good shape to sell.
Vermont Historical Society Executive Director Steve Perkins and ABC 22 & Fox 44 Anchor Mike Hoey stop by North Ferrisburg to learn more about these turkey drives.
This Place in History is produced in partnership by ABC 22 & FOX 44 (www.mychamplainvalley.com) and the Vermont Historical Society.
More VHS videos:
Watch more This Place in History videos: • This Place in History:...
More videos from the Vermont Historical Society: / vermonthistoricalsociety
Subscribe for more videos (and click the bell for notifications): www.youtube.com...
Further reading:
Check out item 1976.16.8, a turkey bell in our collection database: vermonthistory...
Listen to Thanksgiving Travel? Vermont Turkeys Used To Walk To Boston at Vermont Public: www.vermontpub...
Read Then Again: Turkey drives were 1800s version of ‘farm to table’ on VT Digger: vtdigger.org/2...
See the listing for The Great Turkey Drive in our library catalog: catalog.vermon...|7048705|1|3279413&SelectionType=0&SearchType=1&BibCode=MV92022|7048705|1|3279413
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: / vermonthistoricalsociety
Instagram: / vermonthistory
Bluesky: bsky.app/profi...
Threads: www.threads.ne...
Linkedin: / vermont-historical-soc...
Museum Storefront: vermont-histor...
Sign up for our newsletter: vermonthistory...
Support the Vermont Historical Society: vermonthistory...

[@John-yf8qh]

I tried to drive a turkey once but the little swines have got NO brakes and NO steering wheel. It was 14 years ago and I STILL want my money back. Bloody conmen, eh?