When Vermont unveiled its rainbow-gradient logo for the state’s 250th anniversary, it became the official symbol of a years-long planning effort to commemorate a milestone in Vermont’s history. The logo now appears across promotional materials, websites, and outreach campaigns leading up to 2026. But records from the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission show limited documentation about how the design was chosen and leave gaps in the public record of its decision-making process.

A Commission Established in 2021

Governor Phil Scott created the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission through Executive Order in December 2020. The commission was tasked with organizing statewide events, public programs, and educational initiatives marking Vermont’s role in the Revolutionary era and its admission to the Union. It was also charged with developing a unifying visual identity for the commemoration.

The executive order required the commission to meet no later than March 2021 and to convene quarterly thereafter. As a public body, the commission falls under Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. This statute requires meetings to be publicly warned, agendas to be posted no less than 48 hours in advance, and minutes documenting actions and votes to be made available within five days and kept publicly accessible for at least a year.

Tracking the Logo Process

In early 2024, Burlington-based design firm Place Creative Company was contracted to develop potential logos for Vermont’s 250th anniversary. According to commission agendas, Place Creative presented six initial concepts during a February meeting.

By March, the field had been narrowed to two finalists:

• A badge-style design with shades of green and warm earth tones, featuring Vermont’s silhouette against a circular landscape motif.
• A rainbow-gradient logo using vibrant colors and stylized lines meant to evoke motion and progress.

At a special session later that month, the commission voted unanimously to adopt the rainbow-gradient design as the official logo.

Meeting minutes from March 20, 2024, show there was discussion about the finalists. One committee member expressed concerns about whether the selected logo made it clear that the anniversary covers 1776 to 2026 and suggested that more traditional colors—such as red, white, and blue—might better connect the branding to the country’s 250th anniversary. Others noted that the logo would serve as a starting point for the website and visual outreach but acknowledged its abstract nature could lead to some initial confusion about its meaning.

Insights From Outreach: Vermont History and Modern Themes

As part of its public engagement efforts, the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission hosted a series of webinars in late 2024 targeting K–12 educators, municipalities, and higher education institutions. These sessions provided a window into the narratives the commission prioritized as it prepared for the upcoming anniversary.

Webinars:

Vermont 250th Anniversary Outreach Webinar – K – 12 Educators

Vermont 250th Anniversary Outreach Webinar – Higher Education

Vermont 250th Anniversary Outreach Webinar – Municipalities and Local Government

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Across the four outreach videos, there was substantial discussion of Vermont’s Revolutionary-era history, including mentions of the Green Mountain Boys, the Vermont Republic (1777–1791), and the state’s role in the fight for independence. However, a significant portion of the presentations emphasized modern frameworks of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Land acknowledgements opened each session, and presenters frequently highlighted the need to elevate “underrepresented stories” and reframe historical events through lenses of race, gender, and class. Terms like “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) were used explicitly in multiple sessions.

An analytical review of the transcripts suggests that approximately 30–40% of the content focused on Vermont’s 250-year history, while 60–70% centered on contemporary DEI themes and reinterpretations of historical narratives.

This emphasis provides context for the branding decision made earlier that year. The adoption of a modern rainbow-gradient logo appears aligned with the commission’s stated goals of inclusivity and forward-thinking representation.

Limited Meeting Records

While agendas from January 2024 onward are posted online, relatively few minutes are available to accompany them. Some agendas reference the approval of prior minutes, but those records are not present on the commission’s site.

It also remains unclear whether meetings held before January 2024 were formally warned and documented. The executive order establishing the commission required quarterly meetings beginning in 2021, but no records from that period have been posted.

We are preparing public records requests under Vermont’s Public Records Act to seek additional information about the six original designs, meeting materials, and any documentation related to the logo selection process. These requests will be directed to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), which provides administrative support for the commission.

Why It Matters

The Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission was created to organize a celebration of state and national history. Its work includes shaping how Vermont presents itself during a milestone anniversary, from events and educational programs to the branding seen on official materials.

Without clear and consistent records of its meetings, Vermonters are left with few details about how significant decisions, such as selecting the anniversary logo, were made. As the 2026 celebrations approach, maintaining transparency and ensuring that future meetings are fully documented will be key to building public confidence in the commission’s work.

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Dave Soulia | FYIVT

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