Oral History

From Preservation Burlington and Bill Mares:

Bill Mares started making his own beer 45 years ago, when homebrewing was illegal and there were no microbreweries in America. Today there are over 7,000 such breweries nationwide, and Vermont has the highest percentage of breweries per capita in the country. Mares has written three editions of “Making Beer,” and fathered Vermont’s brewpub-enabling law in the 1980s.

In this presentation, Mares will offer a short history of beer itself, and discuss the American beer revolution, Vermont’s small but significant contribution, and his co-ownership of a brewery.

The North Star Community served as a gathering place -- and beer hall -- for generations of German-American Old North End residents, and is an ideal location for a talk on the history and culture of Vermont beer making, and consumption.

This program is made possible by a grant from the Vermont Humanities Council's Speakers Bureau. 

Learn more at: www.preservationburlington.org/calendar/from-homebrew-to-the-house-of-fermentology

In the final installment of "Shoot the Breeze", join Gwen and Fiona as they take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and reflect on their transformative journey through the internship program. From day one to the bittersweet farewell, hosts Gwen and Fiona share candid insights, hard-earned lessons, and unforgettable memories from their time as interns.
Tune in as they delve into what they've learned, both professionally and personally, during their time in the program. From mastering new skills to navigating office dynamics, they'll offer valuable takeaways and reflections that are sure to resonate with interns and professionals alike.

But it's not all serious reflection – prepare for a dose of laughter and camaraderie as they reminisce about the challenges they faced and the funny, heartwarming moments that brought them closer together. From office culture to team outings, they'll share the stories that made their internship experience truly unforgettable.
Whether you're a fellow intern, a mentor, or simply curious about the inner workings of the professional world, "Shoot the Breeze: Finale" offers a heartfelt conclusion to two interns' adventure. Join Gwen and Fiona as they bid farewell to this chapter of their lives and embrace the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Meghan O'Rourke, CCTV, interviews all four of the BHCC Co-Founders/Board of Directors: Lisa Evans, Elise Guyette, and Gail Rosenberg. 

Elise A. Guyette, historian, author, and educator, has a passion for discovering and teaching about stories that were lost because of the traditional telling of history from the point of view of the powerful. Toward that end, Dr. Guyette has published books, articles, and curricula focused on diverse stories, including teacher’s guides to museum exhibits, artifact kits, and theater productions. For three years, she co-directed Turning Points in American History, a million dollar federally funded Teaching American History Grant for Vermont teachers. Her publications include Vermont: A Cultural Patchwork, which she rewrote with a focus on Burlington, and Discovering Black Vermont for which she received the

Richard O. Hathaway prize for outstanding contributions to the field of Vermont history. She co- founded two walking tours: Burlington Edible History and More Than a Market, which told the stories of various immigrant groups along with their food traditions and food businesses. She has led educational and history workshops in places as varied as Albuquerque and Phoenix, Kunming in China, and Durban in South Africa. She is presently on the Board of Directors for Rokeby Museum. Gail Rosenberg is a writer, fundraiser, and communications specialist. As co-founder of the Burlington Edible History Tour and a walking tour of Old North End markets, she has long connected food, culture, and community. Gail co-founded and headed the National Council for Alternative Work Patterns, the first clearinghouse on flexible work schedules, where she garnered national press, and edited and authored many publications, including a retrospective chapter for Carol Burris and the Women’s Lobby (2019). At Shelburne Museum, she promoted the Big Apple Circus for a decade of sold-out performances. She created and ran Howard Center’s first ever capital campaign, raising the $4.6-million goal, and developed Howard’s popular curling event. Gail has published articles on such diverse subjects as flexible work schedules, Vermont circus history, and food, and her stories have appeared in The Washington Post and Seven Days. She has served on many non-profit Boards, currently Partnerships for Literacy & Learning. When the Brooklyn Bridge’s promenade was replaced, Gail ran a fundraiser for a non-profit where she sold (actual!) pieces of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Lisa Evans is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in historical preservation, community engagement, and nonprofit management. She is the former executive director of the Saint Albans Museum, and currently serves as a board member of the Chittenden County Historical Society and as a member of the Saint Albans City Historical Preservation Commission. With a deep understanding of the importance of preserving and promoting local history and culture, Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Burlington History & Culture Center. Her passion for connecting communities and fostering a sense of belonging is evident in her work, and she is dedicated to making a positive impact in the Burlington area.

Learn more at: http://www.burlingtonhistoryandculturecenter.org | Contact: info@burlingtonhistoryandculturecenter.org

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Our Songs Remember is a combination lecture and performance focusing on the ways in which the Abenaki oral traditions of storytelling and music play a part in the preservation of indigenous ways. Incorporating Pakholigan (the drum) and Pabekongan (the flute), father and son Joseph and Jesse Bruchac take you on a journey to the enduring roots of the Western Abenaki nations, showing how songs carry the heart and meaning of this enduring Native American culture.

Both English and Abenaki language are heard throughout the presentation and several stories are told that exemplify the way oral tradition has always served at least two purposes—to entertain and to instruct. A well-published author in many genres, Joseph Bruchac is a citizen and honored elder of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. Jesse Bruchac, also an enrolled Nulhegan citizen, is the founder and Director of the School of Abenaki at Middlebury College, a musician, and frequent language consultant for television and movies. Both can be seen in the new PBS documentary MONADNOCK, The Mountain That Stands Alone, posted on joebruchac.com.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org