History

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: The Life and Commercial Art of Rachael Robinson Elmer 06/07/2021

Join Rokeby Museum Director Lindsay Houpt-Varner for an in-depth discussion of the Museum’s seasonal exhibit A Modern Artist: The Commercial Art of Rachael Robinson Elmer. Elmer’s (1878-1919) career began at Rokeby under the tutelage of her parents. As a teenager she enrolled in a correspondence course to further her skills and later studied at Goddard College and the Art Students League of New York. During that time she began her career as an illustrator, producing drawings for her father’s books and works for periodicals such as Forest and Stream and The Youth Companion. From the turn of the 20th century until her death in 1919, Rachael built a career producing commercial art for major publishers across the U.S. From children’s books and advertisements to her popular postcard series, Rachael Robinson Elmer was a modern artist navigating the expanding profession of commercial art.

Dr. Lindsay Houpt-Varner is a historian specializing in community culture and social history in the Early Modern Period. She completed her undergraduate degrees in history and government and political affairs at Millersville University in Pennsylvania and her Master’s and Ph.D. at Durham University in the United Kingdom. She has worked in the public history and heritage field as a community educator and administrator. From 2016-2018, she was the project director for the Greater Carlisle Heart & Soul Initiative and afterward used knowledge from this project to develop the Community Outreach Department at Cumberland County Historical Society in Pennsylvania. She started her current role as director of Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh, Vermont in September 2020.

Positively Vermont: Vermont Quilt Festival 06/07/2021

Host Dennis McMahon previews the 45th annual VERMONT QUILT FESTIVAL opening June 16 with guests Kaitlin Delano, Carrie Zizza and Laura Clements.

For more information: www.vqf.org

Burlington Memorial Day Commemoration 2021 05/31/2021

This Memorial Day, the commemoration hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 782 is a little different: While the tradition of honoring and remembering members of the United States military who died serving the country remains unchanged, this year the VFW and City of Burlington also pauses to remember those in the community lost during the pandemic.

The VFW sets up a field of flags to honor each person who passed away from COVID-19 in the City so far, along with two trumpet solos, remarks from the Post Commander, Mayor, and a leader from the Vermont National Guard. The Vermont Guard has stepped forward in such an incredible way throughout this pandemic. The ceremony concludes with taps.

Frontier and Flowers: The Story of Frances Montresor Brush Buchanan Allen Penniman 05/27/2021

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Learn about the life and times of Frances Montresor Brush Buchanan Allen Penniman!

This brief documentary was made by Ethan Allen Homestead Museum Staff and Volunteers.

The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum is a private not-for-profit organization that does not receive any sustained governmental support, rather we rely on the support of our community to keep our doors open. Your contribution will go directly to support our programming and operations.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Ethan Allen: His Life and Times 05/27/2021

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Learn about the life and times of Vermont's folk Legend Ethan Allen!

This brief documentary was made by Ethan Allen Homestead Museum Staff and Volunteers.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

FOCUS: Vermont Legislature Apologizes for ‘Eugenics Survey’ 05/21/2021

Following is a video of our Center for Media and Democracy program which aided in removing the Dorothy Canfield Fisher name from a prestigious Vermont children’s book award. The name has been changed to the Vermont Golden Dome Book Awards.

In this discussion of why Dorothy Canfield Fisher's name should be removed from the Vermont Book Award, evidence is presented that the author had a direct connection with the Vermont Eugenics Survey. Judy Dow, Franco American/ Abenaki educator, artist, and writer, presents a compelling power point on the history of eugenics and documentation on the reasons to change the Dorothy Canfield Fisher book award name. Kim Chase, third generation, Franco American writer and educator, and Kathy Olwell, retired social worker and social activist, talk about how the impact of the Vermont Eugenics Survey is still pertinent and discuss the vital need for acknowledgment, education, and a chance to heal.

Vermont Book Award: vcfa.edu/vermont-book-award/about-vermont-book-award

Recollections of a Ruthless Rider: Recounting Vietnam : The Making of A Helicopter Pilot 05/17/2021

John W. “Bill” Pospisil, Jr., U.S. Army Captain, recalls his time in Vietnam during the Vietnam War in a series of interviews. He was in Troop A, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, in Vietnam from October 21, 1968 to October 17, 1969.

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Preachers Behaving Badly - Religious Scandal in Early Vermont 05/16/2021

Vermont was home to several religious communities across the spectrum. Join us as Shelby Balik from the Metropolitan State University of Denver presents on the religious communities in early Vermont and some of their documented scandals.

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: The Woodland Period in Vermont 04/18/2021

Join us as Jess Robinson, the Vermont State Archaeologist, shares some of the newest findings about the Woodland Period (3,000 - 400 years before the present) with a description of various sites and some of the interesting things found there!

VICII: Spanish-American War & Manifest Destiny Part 2-1898: From Republic to Empire - Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii & Philippines 04/14/2021

This week's session is led by Sandy Baird, Kurt Mehta, Grant Crichfield, and Armando Vilaseca.

Featured Story

Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!