The Ethan Allen Homestead's head gardener, Tom Sharpley, discusses the accomplishments of Ethan's wife, Frances (Fanny), Vermont's first known native botanist and her collection of flowers at UVM's Pringle Herbarium. The presentation will explore what 18th-century gardeners were growing and how they used their gardens to provide more than just food for their communities.

Frances Montresor Buchanan Allen Penniman was the first white matriarch of the Ethan Allen Homestead. In addition to being a frontier homesteader, an orphan, a mother, a Yorker, a Loyalist, a widow, an acclaimed educated and witty beauty, and a wife, Fanny was an avid gardener and is Vermont's first known native botanist whose collection of dried herbs and flowers is held at the University of Vermont's Pringle Herbarium. Fanny's collection has been the inspiration for decades of historic gardening at the Homestead, the most recent of which has been directed by Tom Sharpley. Tom has researched Fanny's collection and each year brings her story to life through gardening with a team of volunteers. Just in time for Thanksgiving, join us at the Homestead to find out how Fanny helped feed her family on Vermont's frontier, what 18th-century gardeners were growing, and how they used their gardens to provide more than just food for their communities.

This event is free (donations gladly accepted). The 3rd Sunday lecture is a monthly event. Please check out https://ethanallenhomestead.org/programs/lecture-series/ for more information and upcoming lecture topics. If you cannot attend live, a recording will air on CCTV and be posted to the EAHM Youtube channel a couple weeks after the event.

Event Info

Oct 30, 2024, 1 to 2 PM

Nov 3, 2024, 2 to 3:45 PM

Nov 6, 2024, 9 AM to 4 PM