The Founders' Connection to Vermont

The Edson family was present in the town of Brookfield, Vermont since the American Revolutionary War. Located 15 miles south of Vermont’s Capital, Brookfield is famous for its floating bridge; overlooking that bridge is the Edson family property. A member of the Edson family, Colonel Carroll A. Edson was one of the founding members of the Order of the Arrow and the second member to ever receive the Vigil Honor. COL Edson attended the nearby Dartmouth College and made many trips to and from Vermont. COL Edson’s final resting place is in a local Brookfield cemetery where he is interred alongside nine other generations of the Edson family.

In 1946, the Goodman family came to Vermont. After visiting the area for many years, the Goodmans purchased an old farmhouse in Bondville, Vermont. This would later become the Goodman summer home until the 1970’s when Dr. E Urner Goodman’s doctors advised him to move to Florida to assist in improving his health. To this day, the Bondville property is home to the famous Friendship Barn and Friendship Fireplace. In the 1950’s, lodges from across the country sent stones to be built into a large fireplace to honor the founder and first member to receive the Vigil Honor, Dr. Goodman.

Dr. Goodman and COL Edson selflessly devoted their lives to the Scouting movement. The two founders could frequently be found at Vermont Order of the Arrow and Boy Scout events interacting with Scouts and graciously signing autographs. Dr. Goodman was the guest speaker at the 1963 Area 1B Conference hosted by Nicaweeggee Lodge 493 and was an honored guest at the 1965 Area 1F Conference hosted by Memphremagog Lodge 398.

-Thank you to Brother Holcomb for providing much of this information