We have another big anniversary to help celebrate. The National Life Recreation Association has been around for 120 years as of this year.
The organization has gone through a number of iterations during that time.
It was fairly informal in its early years but in 1919 it was incorporated as the National Life Athletic Association.
When National Life’s home offices were in downtown Montpelier, there was actually a recreation/athletic field alongside the Winooski River for all kinds of activities.
That was eventually donated to Montpelier schools and became the site for the construction of Montpelier High School, which is still on the site.
In 1949, the Athletic Association was rechristened the National Life Recreation Association to reflect its expanded activities beyond athletics.
It continues to sponsor a wide array of activities, including a night at Thunder Road on August 12th. (For anyone who thought that was going to be in July, it was rescheduled because of the weather.)
NLRA has also sponsored a holiday party for employees’ children and grandkids on the Vermont campus for many years. It also oversees the program that provides discounts to employees at area businesses.