Vermont Humanities

Justin Morgan’s Horse: Making an American Myth

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Speakers Bureau

Image of Morgan HorseAll 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.

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About the Presenter

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Amanda Gustin

Amanda has studied military, religious, and women’s history in the medieval period and nineteenth-century America, and is the Public Programs Coordinator at the Vermont Historical Society.

Talks by Amanda Gustin

Image of Morgan Horse

Justin Morgan’s Horse: Making an American Myth

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.

Image from Way Down East film

Vermont vs. Hollywood: 100 Years of Vermont in Film

Amanda Gustin discusses Vermont’s portrayal in Hollywood movies over the past century, reflecting both the state’s and the country’s history.

Vermont Humanities*** April 25, 2019