Vermont Humanities Events
Windsor
February 20 — Abigail Adams: Remember the Ladies. The tumultuous events of the American Revolution swept Abigail Adams far beyond her humble roots in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Through Linda Myer's portrayal, experience Abigail's journey—from loyal British subject to ardent revolutionary, from Weymouth to the White House. Throughout her life Abigail wrote reams of letters about everything from potatoes to politics, revealing her strengths, passions, heartaches, and wry opinions. Hosted by the Billings Farm and Museum. Woodstock, Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater, 53 Elm St, 3:00 pm. Billings Farm and Museum, (802) 457-2355.
February 22 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Various Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections from the Great Books’ Foundation’s new volume, The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Rachael Cohen. Hosted by the Hartland Public Library. Hartland Public Library, 6:30 pm. Theresa Gregory, (802) 436-2473.
March 7 — The Vanishing Twentieth-Century American Composer. The well-known pieces of twentieth-century American classical music (e.g., pieces by Copeland, Gershwin, and Barber) are only a slice of a far larger body of work. Dartmouth music professor Steve Swayne considers how this music was viewed in the 1940s and 1950s compared to now. A First Wednesdays lecture. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Congregational Church, 15 Church St, 7:00 pm. Lucinda Walker, (802) 649-1184.
March 7 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Various Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections from the Great Books’ Foundation’s new volume, The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Suzanne H. Brown. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 4:00 pm. Mary McKenna, (802) 296-2191.
March 9 — Book Discussion: Five Great Short Stories by Anton Chekhov. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th century roots and its later development as a 20th century art form. Led by Elayne Clift. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 10:30 am. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 885-3108.
March 14 — Vermont Folk Art. Much of Vermont's folk art is narrative in impulse: a stair rug capturing the history of a family, a weathervane symbolizing the artist's career in the railroad, or a quilt representing the memories of farm life. This slide presentation and lecture by Jane Beck touches on the informal process of learning a traditional art, life crises that spur the creation of folk art, and the emotional bond that exists between the maker and the receiver of a folk art object. Hosted by the Hartland Public Library. Hartland Public Library, 7:00 pm. Theresa Gregory, (802) 436-2473.
March 14–April 1 — Red Revealed Lecture Series. This lecture series examines the production of the play Red, written by John Logan and directed by Brooke Ciardelli, about the life of the painter Mark Rothko. Hosted by the Northern Stage Company and supported by a VHC grant. White River Junction, Various locations, 4:30 pm. Fee for series. For more information, Northern Stage Co., (802) 296-7000 or northernstage.org.
March 15 — The Green Mountain Chronicles: Oral Histories of the 20th Century. Created for the Vermont Historical Society and broadcast on Vermont Public Radio, “The Green Mountain Chronicles” presented a wide variety of Vermonters sharing their memories of the people, events, and developments that helped shape Vermont in the 20th century. In this program, Mark Greenberg discusses the process of choosing the topics, collecting the oral histories, and some of the interesting things that emerged. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 6:30 pm. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 885-3108.
March 18 — Vermont's Flood of 1927: A New Look. The flood is remembered as the greatest natural disaster ever to strike Vermont, and stories of loss, tragedy, and heroism abound. Yet it is far more than an episode restricted to the history of a single state. An examination of the flood and reconstruction helps shed light on important facets of our national history, and helps us understand better America's passage through the often anxious and difficult years of the 1920s. The speaker is historian Nicholas Clifford. Hosted by the Weathersfield Historical Society. Ascutney, Martin Hall, 5259 Route 5, 2:00 pm. Ginger Wimberg, (802) 263-5626.
March 21 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Various Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections from the Great Books’ Foundation’s new volume, The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Suzanne H. Brown. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 4:00 pm. Mary McKenna, (802) 296-2191.
March 22 — An Apprentice Boat Builder in Japan. When people think about Japan, they often think of manga and anime, busy urban centers, and an economy based on innovations in electronics. People may not know of a “second Japan,” with a rich history of traditional arts and crafts, many of which are fast disappearing as modernization has broken down the traditional apprentice system. Since 1996, writer and researcher Douglas Brooks has apprenticed with four boat builders in Japan, building five types of Japanese boats. In this slide talk he shares his experiences with these traditional crafts. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 7:00 pm. Wendy Forrester, (802) 649-1184.
March 23 — Book Discussion: Poetry and Tales by Edgar Allan Poe. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th century roots and its later development as a 20th century art form. Led by Mary Findley. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 10:30 am. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 885-3108.
March 29 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Various Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections from the Great Books’ Foundation’s new volume, The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Rachael Cohen. Hosted by the Hartland Public Library. Hartland Public Library, 6:30 pm. Theresa Gregory, (802) 436-2473.
April 4 — Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation. Author Ellen Fitzpatrick discusses the public’s response to President Kennedy’s death and shares condolence letters written to Mrs. Kennedy, which provide a remarkable window into the nation’s character at the time.A First Wednesdays lecture. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Congregational Church, 15 Church St, 7:00 pm. Lucinda Walker, (802) 649-1184.
April 4 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Various Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections from the Great Books’ Foundation’s new volume, The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Suzanne H. Brown. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Norwich Public Library, 4:00 pm. Mary McKenna, (802) 296-2191.
April 11 — George Houghton: Vermont's Civil War Photographer. A hidden gem in Vermont's history is the photographic work completed by Brattleboro photographer George Houghton. He took poignant views of Vermont soldiers in the field, camp, and at home. This program by Donald Wickman will explain some of Houghton's life and show a number of the images that brought the Civil War back to Vermont via photography. Hosted by the Hartford Historical Society. Hartford, Greater Hartford United Church of Christ, 1721 Maple Street, 7:00 pm. Mary Nadeau, (802) 295-2123.
April 13 — Book Discussion: Park City by Ann Beattie. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th century roots and its later development as a 20th century art form. Led by Richard M Wizansky. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 10:30 am. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 885-3108.
April 15 — Cranky Yankees: All Together, Now! Jim Cooke is known for "Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words" — a one-man show that has changed popular perceptions and challenged scholarly misperceptions of Vermont's only elected president. Jim has created other one-man performances based mainly on New England characters. "Cranky Yankees" is a chance to see Calvin Coolidge, Daniel Webster, and John Quincy Adams joined by Ethan Allen, James Whitcomb Riley, Samuel Sewall, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Joseph P. Kennedy, to name but a few. While not exactly a "How to," this lecture/performance features Jim's cranky process of giving actuality to the past. Hosted by the Weathersfield Historical Society. Ascutney, Martin Hall, 5259 Route 5, 2:00 pm. Ginger Wimberg, (802) 263-5626.
April 18 — Book Discussion: Seven Deadly Sins Sampler by Various Authors. Part of the Seven Deadly Sins Sampler series. Delve into selections from the Great Books’ Foundation’s new volume, The Seven Deadly Sins Sampler, and discover why, according to Dartmouth professor of ethics and human values Ronald M. Green, these short stories “remind us that most of our problems arise in the hidden recesses of the human heart.” Led by Rachael Cohen. Hosted by the Hartland Public Library. Hartland Public Library, 6:30 pm. Theresa Gregory, (802) 436-2473.
April 26 — The Western Abenaki: History and Culture. Who were the native people of Vermont and how did they live? This lecture, by Jeanne Brink, examines the importance in Abenaki society of elders and children, the environment, and the continuance of lifeways and traditions. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 6:30 pm. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 885-3108.
April 27 — Book Discussion: Selected Works of Flannery O'Connor by Flannery O'Connor. Part of the Masters of the Short Story series. Short stories, as a modern genre, emerged in the early 19th century, and mushroomed with the development of journals and magazines. This series reflects both the short story’s 19th century roots and its later development as a 20th century art form. Led by Mary Hays. Hosted by the Springfield Town Library. Springfield Town Library, 43 Main St, 10:30 am. Nancy Tusinski, (802) 885-3108.
May 2 — Why Lincoln Matters: To Presidents, to History, and to Us. Lincoln’s memory has been used, boldly updated, and occasionally abused by those following in his footsteps. Preeminent Lincoln historian Harold Holzer considers how we see, appreciate, adopt, and interpret Lincoln—and why he still very much matters.A First Wednesdays lecture. Hosted by the Norwich Public Library. Hanover, Dartmouth College, Filene Auditorium, Moore Hall, 7:00 pm. Lucinda Walker, (802) 649-1184.
May 29 — The Vermont Civil War Songbook. Dressed in period costume, singer/researcher Linda Radtke shares songs from Vermont during the Civil War period, with engaging commentary and letters from Vermont soldiers. Seldom-heard songs from the Vermont Historical Society include the comic but poignant "Grafted into the Army," "Yankee Robinson at Bull Run," "Neath the Pines of Vermont" (in which a soldier returns home to die), a satirical song about Jefferson Davis, and sentimental ballads from Vermont during the period. Linda Radtke is joined by pianist Arthur Zorn in this program for all audiences that brings the Civil War period in Vermont to life through music and letters. Hosted by the Quechee Library. Quechee Library, 7:00 pm. Kate Schaal, (802) 295-1232.
June 18 — Book Discussion: America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries anthology edited by Edward L. Ayers. Part of the Making Sense of the American Civil War series. Developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, this Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative series uses works of historical fiction and interpretation, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biographies, and short stories to examine a broad range of perspectives in an exploration of the American Civil War. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Quechee Library. Quechee Library, 4:30 pm. Kate Schaal, (802) 295-1232.
June 27 — Book Discussion: Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond. Part of the Single Book series. Jared Diamond examines the technological, biological, and geographical origins of the rise of Western civilization in this Pulitzer Prize winning book. Led by Rachael Cohen. Hosted by the Hartland Public Library. Hartland Public Library, 6:30 pm. Theresa Gregory, (802) 436-2473.
July 16 — The Irish "Wave" in the Green Mountains. Beginning in the late 1840s and lasting through the 1860s, thousands of Irish immigrants, escaping the potato famine in their homeland, settled in Vermont. They arrived in the Green Mountain State just as Vermont was undergoing a mini industrial revolution—a revolution based on railroad construction, the quarrying of slate and marble, and on textile production. Vince Feeney, author of the recently published history of the Irish in Vermont, Finnigans, Slaters and Stonepeggers, tells the little-known story of the impact of Irish immigrants on Vermont life in the middle of the nineteenth century. Hosted by the Woodstock Historical Society. Woodstock History Center, 26 Elm St, 7:00 pm. Jennie Shurtleff, (802) 457-1822.
July 16 — Book Discussion: America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries anthology edited by Edward L. Ayers. Part of the Making Sense of the American Civil War series. Developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, this Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative series uses works of historical fiction and interpretation, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biographies, and short stories to examine a broad range of perspectives in an exploration of the American Civil War. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Quechee Library. Quechee Library, 4:30 pm. Kate Schaal, (802) 295-1232.
August 20 — Book Discussion: America's War: Talking About the Civil War and Emancipation on Their 150th Anniversaries anthology edited by Edward L. Ayers. Part of the Making Sense of the American Civil War series. Developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, this Civil War sesquicentennial commemorative series uses works of historical fiction and interpretation, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biographies, and short stories to examine a broad range of perspectives in an exploration of the American Civil War. Led by Suzanne H Brown. Hosted by the Quechee Library. Quechee Library, 4:30 pm. Kate Schaal, (802) 295-1232.
November 11 — The Old Country Fiddler: Charles Ross Taggert: Vermont's Travelling Entertainer. Jim Cooke is known for "Calvin Coolidge: More Than Two Words"— a one-man show that has changed popular perceptions and challenged scholarly misperceptions of Vermont's only elected president. Jim has created other one-man performances based mainly on New England characters. "Cranky Yankees" is a chance to see Calvin Coolidge, Daniel Webster, and John Quincy Adams joined by Ethan Allen, James Whitcomb Riley, Samuel Sewall, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Joseph P. Kennedy, to name but a few. While not exactly a "How to," this lecture/performance features Jim's cranky process of giving actuality to the past. Hosted by the Weathersfield Historical Society. Ascutney, Martin Hall, 5259 Route 5, 2:00 pm. Ginger Wimberg, (802) 263-5626.
November 18 — Shipwrecks of Lake Champlain. Learn about Lake Champlain's most harrowing shipwreck stories from the Revolutionary War to the present day with Lake Champlain Maritime Museum archaeologist Adam Kane. With over 300 wrecks in its dark, cold waters, Lake Champlain has witnessed feats of heroism and terrible tragedies. Take a memorable tour through slides, drawings, and video of what lies beneath the waves. Hosted by the Woodstock Historical Society. Woodstock History Center, 26 Elm St, 2:00 pm. Jennie Shurtleff, (802) 457-1822.