Humanities Commentaries on VPR

“Sharing Our Past — Shaping Our Future” Since 1974

For more information contact VHC
at info@vermonthumanities.org

or 802.262.2626

The Great Turkey Drives (5-25-09) VPR commentators gathered this spring at Sugarbush Resort to address a common theme, the Long Haul, and we're sharing a few of their thoughts this week. For commentator Peter Gilbert, the theme brought to mind a little known – but highly entertaining – aspect of Vermont's agricultural history.

Bonnie and Clyde at 75 (5-18-09) This week marks an historic anniversary that reminds commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert of a film, in which myth, reality, early feminism and irony collide – big time.

The Loveliest of Trees (5-6-09) This year's cherry blossoms are already going by in Washington, but here in Vermont they're just beginning to bloom. Here's VPR commentator and Vermont Humanities Council Executive Director Peter Gilbert to encourage us to enjoy them – not only now, but all year long.

English Names in Vermont (4-28-09) If you're fascinated by words and like to stare at maps, VPR commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert has a book for you.

The Hazards of Reading (4-16-09) This is National Library Week, and since executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council, VPR commentator Peter Gilbert promotes reading, lifelong learning and civic engagement, the advice he provides today may surprise you.

North Pole Anniversary (3-31-09) Some controversy still lingers as to whether Robert Peary was, in fact, the first person to reach the North Pole. But even if he was, he didn't get there alone. Here's commentator and Vermont Humanities Council Executive Director Peter Gilbert to tell you about his companion.

From Shelburne to Wasilla (3-5-09) What do Shelburne, Vermont and Wasilla, Alaska have in common? Here's commentator and executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert with the answer.

The Lonesome Death of William Zantzinger (2-19-09) Recently commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert was surprised to read about the death of a 69-year-old man, whose name reminded him of a song and something Martin Luther King said at Dartmouth in the early 'sixties.

Famous Castaway Rescued 300 Years Ago Today (2-2-09)Three hundred years ago today a shipwrecked sailor was rescued after spending years alone on a tropical island. Sound familiar? Commentator and Vermont Humanities Executive Director Peter Gilbert has the story.

Poe at 200 (1-19-09) Today we celebrate two American originals. It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of course. But it's also the 200th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe. Commentator Peter Gilbert, executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council, has been thinking about Poe's life and his connections to Vermont.

A Short History of Presidents (1-13-09) A look at presidential history reveals some interesting things — according to commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert.

Farewell Address (1-8-09) As the end of the forty-third presidency approaches, VPR commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert is wondering if President Bush will give a Farewell Address.

Historical Memory (12-29-08) Recent events have inspired commentator and Vermont Humanities Council executive director Peter Gilbert to think about how history informs the way we make sense of the present.

Milton Turns 400 (12-9-08) Vermont Humanities Council executive director and commentator Peter Gilbert tells us that today marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of a man who's been called "one of the most significant writers and thinkers of all time."

Repeal of Prohibition (12-3-08) This week we observe the seventy-fifth anniversary of the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment—which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment. And if you think that's just dull Constitutional legal history, think again. Here's commentator and executive director of the Vermont Humanities Council Peter Gilbert to explain.

Alistair Cooke at 100 (11-19-08) Tomorrow is the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Alistair Cooke. VPR commentator and Vermont Humanities Council Executive Director Peter Gilbert tells us about a new collection of Alistair Cooke's writings to commemorate the occasion.

Spanish Flu (10-24-08) As we prepare for another flu season, and health officials warn of a possible worldwide flu epidemic, Vermont Humanities Council executive director and commentator Peter Gilbert looks back to the fall ninety years ago, when more people died in one year of the Great Flu Epidemic than in four years of the Bubonic Plague.

Each month, VHC’s Executive Director Peter Gilbert presents commentaries on Vermont Public Radio that examine current and past events from a humanities perspective. You can read or listen to Peter’s commentaries by clicking on the links below.

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E-mail: info@vermonthumanities.org