Finding Newport: The Historical Mystery of Ethan Allen’s Black Driver (The Thomas M. Achenbach Talk)
Schedule
Sun Jul 19 2026 at 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington, VT, United States, Vermont 05408 | Burlington, VT
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The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum presents our The Thomas M. Achenbach Memorial Talk (part of our Free Monthly Lecture Series): "Finding Newport: The Historical Mystery of Ethan Allen’s Black Driver" by researcher & professor emerita Carol Harris-Shapiro.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).
The Thomas M. Achenbach Memorial Talk is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Thomas M. Achenbach, an eminent scholar and supporter of the Ethan Allen Homestead. This talk is supported by his friends and family.
ABOUT THIS MONTH'S LECTURE:
We know very little about Newport, the described “mulatto” driver on the Homestead who safely returned Ethan Allen from his last journey to die at home. Was he a slave or hired servant? Did he have a family? Did he serve in the Revolutionary War? Come along on my research journey to find out more about this Homestead worker through the excellent digital and documentary resources available in Vermont, and learn about some of the delights and challenges in investigating historic Black Vermonters. We end with one plausible candidate who just might be “our” Newport!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Carol Harris-Shapiro is professor emerita at Temple University, with research interests in American religion and personal interests in almost anything historical! She enjoys spending summers and autumns in Barre, VT, hiking with her husband Jon and two fur babies. She also volunteers for both the Ethan Allen Homestead as a docent and the Vermont Historical Society’s Leahy Library.
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/
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 05408Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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