An open house will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vermont State Archives, 10478 Route 2, Middlesex.
Historian and author Gary Shattuck, guest speaker for Vermont Archives Month, will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “Insurrection, Corruption and Murder in Early Vermont: Life on the Wild Northern Frontier,” at 6 p.m.
In addition, the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration is offering behind-the-scene tours and an exhibition of highlights from the state archives, including which include many of the records Shattuck used.
His book explores the infamous “Black Snake Affair,” when federal authorities seized the Black Snake, a boat used to smuggle goods into Canada following the 1808 Embargo Act that banned American exports to France and Great Britain. The raid left three Vermont men dead. A fourth Vermonter was the first man in the state to be executed by hanging.
Shattuck will also tell the story behind his book, including his research and use of early Vermont court records. Court records have been the focus of a three-year archives project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Both events are free and open to the public. Directions and information: vermont-archives.org, archives@sec.state.vt.us, 828-2308.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexual language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be proactive. Use the "Report" link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.