Brotherly Love: Ethan and Levi Allens' Tumultuous Relationship (Free Monthly Lecture)
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The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum presents our Free Monthly Lecture: "Brotherly Love: Ethan and Levi Allens' Tumultuous Relationship" by local historian Glenn Fay.
This event is in-person in the museum's tavern. Free for all to attend. Complimentary refreshments provided. The program will be recorded by CCTV and later available on the museum's YouTube channel (@EthanAllenHomestead).
This event is part of a Join the Revolution! Reenactment Weekend. Free admission Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm. Reenactment events are 11am-2pm both days.
ABOUT THIS MONTH'S LECTURE:
Ethan Allen was not just the most famous Vermont founder -- he was also the eldest of eight siblings! As a classic middle child, Ethan's brother Levi led a tumultuous life, and was arguably the most colorful in the Allen family. He was a Green Mountain Boy but a Revolutionary War Loyalist; he was pro-freedom, but an enslaver; and he was a spiritual poet, but had violent tendencies. Levi's relationship with Ethan was also tumultuous. He helped Ethan survive horrible conditions under British imprisonment, and Levi even proposed to George Washington that he act as a double agent to help Ethan escape! However, just a few years later, Levi challenged Ethan to a duel! This presentation will explore Ethan and Levi’s complex relationship, including Levi's storied outlaw life, and surprising poetry.
Come learn more about an "untold story" of Ethan Allen -- his relationship with his colorful brother Levi. Ethan Allen is one of the featured "Voices of the Revolution" in the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum's newest exhibit commemorating America's 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Glenn Fay is a researcher, author, and seventh-generation descendant of a Green Mountain Boy. He is an educator and photographer, and serves on the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum Board of Directors.
Glenn Fay has contributed significant research into the family life of Vermont’s most famous founder, Ethan Allen, including:
*Vermont's Ebenezer Allen: Patriot, Commando and Emancipator, a book about Ethan Allen’s cousin, and one of the last men to see Ethan Allen alive
*Fanny’s Flowers, a short pamphlet on the life and botanical work of Fanny Allen, which was the inspiration for the museum’s short documentary film on Fanny that premiered in 2024
*Ambition: The Remarkable Family of Ethan Allen, which tells stories of the extended Allen family of brothers, sisters, wives, children, grandchildren, and associates, many of whom helped create the place we now know as Vermont.
In addition to books on the Allen family, has also recently published local histories, including Hidden History of Burlington, Vermont and Vermont Forts of the 1700s.
Glenn's books on local history and the Allen Family can be purchased via the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum's online gift shop: https://ethan-allen-homestead-museum.myshopify.com/search?q=glenn+fay
ABOUT THE EAHM'S FREE MONTHLY LECTURE SERIES:
The Homestead Monthly Lecture Program is free for all the attend. It covers various topics pertaining to Vermont history, early American history, and the Homestead site. Each lecture is followed by Q&A with the presenter.
To find out more information, including upcoming speakers, please visit: https://ethanallenhomestead.org/programs/lecture-series/
The EAHM's 2026 Free Monthly Lecture Series is sponsored by Richard & Lynda Smarg.
ABOUT THE ETHAN ALLEN HOMESTEAD MUSEUM:
The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit run mostly by community volunteers. The Museum depends on volunteers and donations in order to host community programs like this one.'
To support the Homestead Museum's mission and community programs, you can make a tax-deductible donation online at: https://ethanallenhomestead.org/support-us/
To find out more about volunteering, email [email protected].
This event is in-person in the museum's tavern. Free for all to attend. Complimentary refreshments provided. The program will be recorded by CCTV and later available on the museum's YouTube channel (@EthanAllenHomestead).
This event is part of a Join the Revolution! Reenactment Weekend. Free admission Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm. Reenactment events are 11am-2pm both days.
ABOUT THIS MONTH'S LECTURE:
Ethan Allen was not just the most famous Vermont founder -- he was also the eldest of eight siblings! As a classic middle child, Ethan's brother Levi led a tumultuous life, and was arguably the most colorful in the Allen family. He was a Green Mountain Boy but a Revolutionary War Loyalist; he was pro-freedom, but an enslaver; and he was a spiritual poet, but had violent tendencies. Levi's relationship with Ethan was also tumultuous. He helped Ethan survive horrible conditions under British imprisonment, and Levi even proposed to George Washington that he act as a double agent to help Ethan escape! However, just a few years later, Levi challenged Ethan to a duel! This presentation will explore Ethan and Levi’s complex relationship, including Levi's storied outlaw life, and surprising poetry.
Come learn more about an "untold story" of Ethan Allen -- his relationship with his colorful brother Levi. Ethan Allen is one of the featured "Voices of the Revolution" in the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum's newest exhibit commemorating America's 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Glenn Fay is a researcher, author, and seventh-generation descendant of a Green Mountain Boy. He is an educator and photographer, and serves on the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum Board of Directors.
Glenn Fay has contributed significant research into the family life of Vermont’s most famous founder, Ethan Allen, including:
*Vermont's Ebenezer Allen: Patriot, Commando and Emancipator, a book about Ethan Allen’s cousin, and one of the last men to see Ethan Allen alive
*Fanny’s Flowers, a short pamphlet on the life and botanical work of Fanny Allen, which was the inspiration for the museum’s short documentary film on Fanny that premiered in 2024
*Ambition: The Remarkable Family of Ethan Allen, which tells stories of the extended Allen family of brothers, sisters, wives, children, grandchildren, and associates, many of whom helped create the place we now know as Vermont.
In addition to books on the Allen family, has also recently published local histories, including Hidden History of Burlington, Vermont and Vermont Forts of the 1700s.
Glenn's books on local history and the Allen Family can be purchased via the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum's online gift shop: https://ethan-allen-homestead-museum.myshopify.com/search?q=glenn+fay
ABOUT THE EAHM'S FREE MONTHLY LECTURE SERIES:
The Homestead Monthly Lecture Program is free for all the attend. It covers various topics pertaining to Vermont history, early American history, and the Homestead site. Each lecture is followed by Q&A with the presenter.
To find out more information, including upcoming speakers, please visit: https://ethanallenhomestead.org/programs/lecture-series/
The EAHM's 2026 Free Monthly Lecture Series is sponsored by Richard & Lynda Smarg.
ABOUT THE ETHAN ALLEN HOMESTEAD MUSEUM:
The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit run mostly by community volunteers. The Museum depends on volunteers and donations in order to host community programs like this one.'
To support the Homestead Museum's mission and community programs, you can make a tax-deductible donation online at: https://ethanallenhomestead.org/support-us/
To find out more about volunteering, email [email protected].
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Where is it happening?
1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington, VT, United States, Vermont 05408
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherEthan Allen Homestead Museum
