The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)
has awarded filmmaker Caro Thompson of Walden, Vt., its History Medal
for her documentary “Champlain: The Lake Between.”
The film, which premiered on Vermont Public Television as part of the
Champlain quadricentennial, explores the diplomacy and trade between
Native nations and Europeans that flourished in the region during the
17th and 18th centuries. It details how Frenchman Samuel de Champlain
arrived in what became known as the Champlain Valley in 1609 and changed
the course of history.
Thompson was honored Sept. 25, 2010, at the annual conference of the
Vermont DAR in Montpelier. The medal was presented by Diane Kreis,
state regent, and Elizabeth Bicknell, Seth Warner Chapter regent. The
award letter from the DAR said, “Clearly, Ms. Thompson has contributed
to the greater understanding of American history.” Thompson
acknowledged the collaborative process of making the film in her
comments, saying, “I accept the award on behalf of the historians,
culture bearers and re-enactors who guided and tutored me over the three
years of the film’s development.”
The film won a Boston/New England Emmy Award, and the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting gave Vermont Public Television its My Source Award
for Education Innovation for the related educational activities.
Thompson’s company, Broadwing Productions, was one of four partners in
the Voyages of Discovery Project funded by the Institute for Museum and
Library Services. The other partners were the Vermont Division for
Historic Preservation, Vermont Public Television and the Bixby Memorial
Library in Vergennes.
Vermont Public Television will re-air “Champlain: The Lake Between” on
Monday, Oct. 18, at 10:30 p.m.