Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Thomas Jefferson and the American Maple Sugar Industry

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From the Ethan Allen Homestead:

Historian Mary Donchez explores the impact Thomas Jefferson had on the development of the American maple sugar industry, starting with his trip to Vermont in 1791. The talk explores the evolution of the industry, including technological advances and the influence of the Civil War, and discusses Jefferson’s lasting ties with Vermont as he attempted to persuade the new country to substitute maple sugar for slave-produced cane sugar. Along the way, it will provide insight into Jefferson’s views on the American economy, its economic independence from Great Britain, and particularly race and slavery.

Mary Donchez is a resident of Newton, Massachusetts, whose first post-retirement project was to earn a Master’s degree at Harvard University’s Extension School. This talk is based on her thesis for that degree. Her undergraduate degree, in history, is from Boston College. She spent her professional life working as an editor at WB Saunders, Macmillan, and Little, Brown publishing companies before retiring from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in 2011, where she worked as a project coordinator for patient disease management programs and as editor of the physician newsletter.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

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