The Vermont Historical Society presented H. Nicholas Muller III and John J. Duffy with the Richard O. Hathaway award for their book Inventing Ethan Allen.
“It was a difficult decision among six other nominees from around the state,” said Mark Hudson, Vermont Historical Society’s executive director. “This publication exemplifies Dick Hathaway’s dedication to the preservation of Vermont history.”
The Hathaway Award is given each year in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the field of Vermont history. It is dedicated to the memory of Richard O. Hathaway, whose lifelong work was teaching Vermont history.
Professors Duffy and Muller expose much of which is read about Allen as myths and point out that there was another, more complex side to Allen. They present evidence that he may not have always acted as a loyal Green Mountain Boy, was not a successful military leader, may have been a traitor to the American cause, may have had several significant character flaws and was not a virtuous founding Vermont statesman. This book causes the reader to ponder that there may have been a need for an epic hero to instill pride in Vermonters during the nineteenth century.
The Vermont Historical Society also presented John Dumville with the Vermont Historical Society’s President’s Award for his leadership of the Vermont State-Owned Historic Sites as well as the Royalton Historical Society. He was also honored for his dedication to the cause of preserving Vermont’s heritage.
Dick Marek, president of the Historical Society, noted, “The Vermont Historical Society is extremely appreciative of John’s work to promote a local historical society as well as all he has done to support and assist the VHS in preserving history throughout Vermont.”
The Vermont Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that operates the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, the Leahy Library and the Vermont Heritage Galleries in Barre, and programming throughout the state. Established in 1838, its purpose is to reach a broad audience through outstanding collections and statewide outreach. The Vermont Historical Society believes that an understanding of the past changes lives and builds better communities.
Picture 1: H. Nicholas Muller III (left) and John J. Duffy are presented with the esteemed Hathaway Award
Picture 2: John Dumville is flanked by incoming Vermont Historical Society’s President Richard Marek (left) and former President Laura Warren (right).]