Henry David Thoreau, the noted naturalist and philosopher best known for Walden, a book about living simply in one’s surroundings, set foot in Vermont for the first time on this day in 1856.

He was on his way to see a friend in Walpole, New Hampshire, and decided to spend the night in Brattleboro. Thoreau slept at the home of the Reverend Addison Brown, with whom he had been corresponding regarding various plant species.

Thoreau and Brown went for a brief excursion the next morning, conversing about the plants they saw.

Thoreau then resumed his trip to Walpole. This was Thoreau’s only known visit to Vermont.

Historic images courtesy The Library of Congress.