Trenor William Park was born on this day in 1823. When he was young his family moved to Bennington. They were very poor and Trenor decided to become a lawyer to help pay the bills.

He entered law school at sixteen, eventually opening a successful practice in California. Trenor Park returned to Vermont when he was 40, contributing to life here in many ways.

He donated an art gallery to UVM, established the Bennington Free Library and worked on the plans and development of the Bennington Battle Monument.

Park wanted to establish the “Park Home” for destitute women and children, but died before it was acted upon.

Photograph courtesy Men Of Vermont by Jacob G. Ullery from the collections of the Brownell Library in Essex Junction, Vermont.