Calling all genealogists, local historians, and amateur detectives! This program will examine an unsolved story of murder from Central Vermont. Local history briefly records that in 1790, the original American settler to the Montpelier, Jacob Fowler, killed an unnamed “Indian” in a dispute over a trapline.
We will reconstruct the biographies of the two participants through historical documents, genealogical work, and the fiction of local historian D.P. Thompson and explore the bigger questions of this formative time in Vermont history. Audience participation and expertise is encouraged.
Click here for an article exploring the topic of this program.
About the presenter: Damian Costello received his PhD in theological studies from the University of Dayton and specializes in the intersection of Indigenous spiritual traditions, Catholic theology, and colonial history. He is an international expert on the life and legacy of Nicholas Black Elk and the author of Black Elk: Colonialism and Lakota Catholicism. Costello is a speaker for the Vermont Humanities Council and serves as the Director of Postgraduate Studies at NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community, an Indigenous designed and delivered ATS accredited theological graduate school.
Registration required — Please register by clicking here. This program meets virtually.