All Morgan horses today trace their lineage back to a single horse: a mystery stallion named Figure, owned by singing teacher Justin Morgan in the late 18th century. But who was Figure, really? What stories have people told about him in the two centuries since he lived and worked in Vermont?
Exploring the story of the first Morgan horse is complicated and fascinating, and is tied up with the idea of Vermont identity, the relationship between humans and animals, the creation of American myth, and much more.
About the Presenter
Amanda Gustin has been the Public Programs Coordinator at the Vermont Historical Society since 2012. Prior to that, she was a researcher at the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston.
Her favorite moments are when she connects with an audience while explaining or demonstrating history. She has studied military, religious, and women’s history in the medieval period and nineteenth-century America.
