With African American Alexander Twilight as a central figure in the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village’s story, we celebrated Black History Month with his legacy in mind.
We had three important happenings throughout the month of February, and we hope you will enjoy reading about them below!
The Youngest Marcher Book Project
Donna Bousquet, librarian at the Albany Community School, showing the book and lesson plan to a group of 8th graders
The Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village collaborated with the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network (VSARN) to share a free Black History Month lesson plan and book with local schools and libraries; we shared the fascinating story of a 9 year-old girl who sat down to dinner with Martin Luther King Jr. and stood up to protest segregation in Birmingham, Alabama in May of 1963. The lesson plan’s focus grades were K-3, but it could be (and was!) tailored for other grades. The children’s book was The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson.
Here is a 2 minute video trailer of the book for a brief overview: The Youngest Marcher Video Trailer
Five local educators opted in to receive the book, and the book was well received by children! Donna Bousquet, librarian at the Albany Community School did the lesson plan with 8th graders and remarked,
“The 8th graders were eager to discuss and answer the questions on the slideshow and were interested in making the ‘Hot Rolls Baptized in Butter,’ so I copied the recipe [inside the book] for them to make over the vacation!”
She also intends to use the lesson plan for a younger group of students.
The Youngest Marcher book, now on a shelf in the Leach Public Library
The Leach Public Library in Irasburg, VT now has a copy of the book you can check out!
While we designed The Youngest Marcher lesson plan and slide notes specifically for Black History Month, they can also be used any time of year. Educators could even use them this month to highlight Audrey Faye Hendricks as a female leader for Women’s History Month.
If you are an educator interested in the lesson plan and slide notes, please email [email protected] for more information.
Farmers’ Night: Alexander Twilight
Bill Hart, giving the presentation on Alexander Twilight in the House Chamber at the VT State House
Bill Hart, an Old Stone House Museum board member and Professor Emeritus of History at Middlebury College, gave a fascinating presentation on Alexander Twilight at the Vermont State House on Wednesday, February 22nd. The evening’s event, titled “The Charismatic, Enigmatic Alexander Twilight,” sponsored by The Friends of the Vermont State House, began with welcoming remarks by David Schutz, the Vermont State Curator; Senator Alison Clarkson, Majority Leader in the Vermont Senate, representing Windsor County; and Thaddeus Gibson, President of the Friends of the Vermont State House. New York City- and Montpelier-based musician and composer, Ras Moshe Burnett, performed on saxophone and flute a two-part original composition titled “Alexander Twilight” that captured both Twilight’s charisma and his mystery.
Dawn Andrews, the Board Chair of the Old Stone House Museum and Historic Village, offered closing remarks in which she invited everyone to the Museum. She noted how visiting can feel like stepping into the nineteenth century with only an occasional car or truck intruding on the historic buildings and surrounding landscape. Sometimes you can even hear the nineteenth century such as when it’s so quiet that the ticking sound of a farmer’s horse-drawn hay rake can be heard from the neighboring field.
The evening’s events concluded just in time for the seventy or so attendees to beat the snow home!
The evening’s presentation was part of the Farmers’ Night Concert Series, a longstanding State House tradition. The State House website describes it as a tradition that “…goes back over 100 years to a time when lawmakers entertained themselves in the House Chamber mid-week while away from home.” Performances range from bluegrass music to comedic storytelling.
The Life and Times of Alexander Twilight Book Release Party
Bill Tulp, top right corner, speaking with his partner Dana during the book release gathering
Local author and illustrator Bill Tulp released a graphic biography about the incredible life story of African American Alexander Lucius Twilight! It is called The Life and Times of Alexander Twilight and can be found in local bookstores.
The Life and Times of Alexander Twilight front cover
Bill and his partner Dana held a book release party at our Grammar School building on Sunday, February 26th. Bill led a short presentation on the process he used in creating the work; then guests were welcome to talk with the author, explore the book and purchase a copy (or signed copy!).
Over 30 people came to support this local publication and author over the course of the afternoon!