Waterbury Historical Society
Recent Events Highlights
Experts in Conversation:
The History of Eugenics in the Green Mountain State
Mercedes de Guardiola, Historian & Author
Mariessa Dobrick, Reference Archivist
Rep. Tom Stevens, VT House of Representatives
March 7, 2024 | steele community room
Historian and author Mercedes de Guardiola spoke on March 7 in the Steele Community Room about her recent book unpacking the history of eugenics in Vermont. She was joined by Mariessa Dobrick, a reference archivist for the state, and Rep. Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington, Buells Gore), who played a key role in supporting a 2021 General Assembly resolution (J.R.H.2) apologizing for state-sanctioned eugenics policies and practices.
De Guardiola’s book, Vermont for the Vermonters: The History of Eugenics in the Green Mountain State (Vermont Historical Society, 2023), contextualizes the eugenics movement in the collapse of the state’s public welfare system and the increase in rural poverty throughout the 19th century. According to de Guardiola, eugenics, “a pseudoscience with a simplistic understanding of human heredity…was based on existing biases, especially classism and racism.”
Stevens noted, “By segregating people and by sterilizing people, we were committing genocide by the U.N. definition. We did that in Vermont, as a state-sanctioned policy,” adding, “That was what the [2021] apology addressed.”
Stevens concluded that "“I still believe in government. There are a lot of good things that can come out of government. Eugenics wasn’t one of them.”
The event was organized and co-sponsored by Bridgeside Books, Waterbury Public Library, and Waterbury Historical Society.
Representative Tom Stevens (left), reference archivist Mariessa Dobrick (middle) and historian and author Mercedes de Guardiola spoke about the history of eugenics and the impact of eugenical polices in Vermont. About 40 people attended the presentation in the Steele Community Room on March 7.
Photo by Cheryl Casey for WHS.
Exhibit Reception & Presentation
"The Roots of my Raising" - with George Woodard, Jr.
February 3, 2024 | steele community room
The Waterbury Historical Society hosted the inaugural exhibit in the Steele Community Room, “The Roots of My Raising,” with actor, filmmaker, and third-generation Waterbury farmer George Woodard, Jr. It was an opportunity to hear from George about his lifetime in Waterbury and beyond.
The Woodard Farm on Loomis Hill Road was established in 1912 when George’s grandfather, Walter, purchased the 200-some acre farm. In 2012, the farm was designated a Century Farm by the Vermont Farm Bureau and Vermont State Grange. Century Farms, which are increasingly rare, are those that have been owned and worked by the same family for 100 years.
George Jr. is also an award-winning filmmaker whose latest film, The Farm Boy, was screened at locations all over Vermont in 2023.
This exhibit is the first installation using the new picture hanging system in the Steele Community Room for rotating exhibits by the Historical Society and invited artists.
annual meeting & fall program
Waterbury Notables in Lakeview cemetery - with author thea Lewis
november 18, 2023 | steele community room
More than 30 people turned out for our annual business meeting and fall program featuring author Thea Lewis. Members re-elected Secretary Grace Sweet and Board member Anne Imhoff to continue their terms; additionally, a new standing committee, Collections Acquisition, and the 2024 budget were approved.
Thea Lewis, a researcher of topics on the spookier side of Vermont history, shared stories about Burlington’s Lakeview Cemetery and notable Waterbury citizens laid to rest within its gates. Two prominent figures were Generals William Wirt Henry (1831-1915) and William Wells (1837-1892).
Henry (top photo) was made a brevet brigadier general in March 1865 and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his gallantry at the Battle of Cedar Creek. After the Civil War, he rejoined his father's patent medicine business. Henry served in the Vermont State Senate and as mayor of Burlington.
Wells (bottom photo) was made a brevet brigadier general in February 1865 and also received the Congressional Medal of Honor, in this instance for his gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war, Wells became a partner in Henry's family wholesale druggist firm and also served in the Vermont State Senate.
Photos by Joe Camaratta for WHS.
