Rock of Ages Visitors Center Opens Friday… for the 90th Time
The Rock of Ages Visitors Center opens on Friday, May 23 for its 90th year of hosting guests for quarry tours. While much has changed in Vermont’s travel industry since the Roaring 20s, Rock of Ages continues to provide guests with a unique look into the art, history, and mammoth proportions of its Barre quarries.
In 1924, the Ford Motor Company manufactured its 10 millionth Model-T. As automobiles rose in popularity in the 1920s, so did travel to Vermont. Director of Visitor Services Todd Paton noted, “The Green Mountain State welcomed visitors with open arms; and for the first time, Vermont saw travelers with a specific set of needs. Where to stop for facilities? Where to eat? Where to stay? Hosting visitors was a new concept.” In response, guest services and transportation infrastructure began to crop up statewide.
Paton noted, “Prior to the creation of the interstate, Graniteville found itself along a thoroughfare for travel from southern New England and points East and West. And things started to get a little rocky in the quarries as word spread and travelers stopped in, curious to see the giant derricks, massive stone blocks, plunging cliffs and cavernous holes.”
While most quarries nationwide began to fence out visitors for safety, Rock of Ages embraced their presence. “With the creation of a secure, educational, and awe-inspiring tour, Rock of Ages Visitors Services was born.” Now, Rock of Ages celebrates nine decades of hosting guests.
In addition to the quarry tour, the Visitors Center offers guests a self-guided factory tour, sandblasting activity, granite bowling, and a shop stocked with granite gifts and made-in-Vermont specialty products. New this year from among the granite products made by local crafters are stone wine stoppers created from Barre White and Bethel Gray granite. At our sandblast activity, we have expanded our offerings for the trivet and wall hanging to include an iconic Vermont covered bridge.
The Visitors Center is open 9 am-5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and on select Sundays such as Memorial Day weekend, through August 30. The Center is open seven days a week from September 1 – October 31. Guided quarry tours are available from 9:15 am – 3:35 pm when the Visitors Center is open; self-guided factory tours are available any time beginning at 8 am. For more information or holiday closings, please see our website: rockofages.com.
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