Although he didn't stay there long, for a brief period
of time after his birth in 1805, Joseph
Smith (Prophet, translator of the Book of Mormon, first President
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) lived in the Sharon/South
Royalton area. The place where he was born is commemorated with the
Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in South Royalton. Visitors to the
memorial can enjoy a visitors center with artwork, a diorama and a films,
as well as hiking and picnicking on the grounds. There is also a granite
monument on the site that was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary
of Smith's birth. The monument is one of the largest polished shafts
in the world, a single block (quarried in Barre) that weighs forty tons
and stands 38 ½ feet tall… one foot for every year of the
Prophet's life.
The memorial is open during the following times:
November through April, Monday to Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday 1:30-5
May through October, Monday to Saturday, 9-7 and Sunday 1:30-7
Admission is free. Visitors can find the memorial in South Royalton
(north of Sharon on Route 14, look on the right for a sign and then
head up the hill), or can call 802-763-7742 for more information.
