Vermonter and local statesman Justin Morrill of the 1800s will come back to speak his mind at the state house in Montpelier Feb. 8. Curt Albee, who plays the resurrected Morrill, will be joined by fellow actor Amy Sholk as wife Ruth Morrill. Musicians Suan Reid and Leeds Brewer will provide period folksongs.
Montpelier — If you lived in Vermont during the mid to late 1800s, you’d sure recognize the name of Justin Morrill.
Bigger than life, Morrill was a Vermont state representative between 1855 and 1867 and a state senator between 1867and 1898). He was a farmer, polymath, and a registered Republican. That was back in the days when the Green Mountain State was synonymous with the Grand Old Party and a Vermont Republican didn’t have to hide in the closet for fear of being exposed.
Regardless of your politics, you can enjoy the wise and thoughtful Morrill who will come back to life—well, sort of—at the Vermont State House in Montpelier Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. His wife, Ruth, will join him. The event is free.
The public is invited to see a part of the state’s homespun political and entertainment heritage through a recreated Vermont Farmers Night.
“Vermont’s Farmers’ Night series began in 1923, long before the interstate was built, when many legislators lived in Montpelier during the session and organized mid-week entertainment for themselves,” according to Julie Nelson of the Vermont Historical Society.
Nelson said next week’s event involves the Vermont Historical Society teaming up with the Justin Morrill Homestead in Strafford to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act and present an evening with the senator and his wife.
Justin Morrill, portrayed by Kurt Albee, and Ruth Morrill, portrayed by Amy Sholk, will entertain the audience with the storyline from chapters in Morrill’s life.
“He was well educated in American architecture, horticulture, education, and the Republican Party,” Nelson said.
The upcoming event will be highlighted with music from the 1800s that will be performed and arranged by Susan Reid.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID