Rokeby MuseumRokeby Celebrates Poetry Month
April is Poetry Month and Ruth Farmer, shared a few “Rokeby poems” in this short video. She notes in her presentation, the Robinsons are “exemplars of artists paying attention” and “for me encountering the visuals and the words in the 21st century, these artists artistic renderings show humans as listeners, observers, and recorders of the everyday”.
We hope you enjoy both the words and art of the Robinson family, and Happy National Poetry Month!
Ruth Farmer is a Rokeby Museum Board member. Ruth is an essayist, poet, and educator, living in Bristol, Vermont.
Run For Rokeby (Anywhere!) 5K
May is National Preservation Month and we’re asking you to join us in running or walking a 5K (from anywhere!) in support of Rokeby Museum and the on-going preservation of this historic site. No matter where you are in the country you can support the mission and preservation of this National Historic Landmark.
Reading Rowland Evans Robinson
On March 16, 2021, Rokeby Trustee, Dean Leary, presented on the life and works of Vermont author Rowland Evans Robinson.
At one point Ferrisburgh resident Rowland Evans Robinson (1833–1900) was one of Vermont’s most beloved writers. Leary, a long-time reader of Robinson’s work, shared knowledge about the writer and led a discussion of Robinson’s nature, history and fiction writing.
Read MoreStaff & Volunteer Spotlight — Meet Allison Gregory
by Allison Gregory, Office Administrative Manager
In January 2020, I came to Ferrisburgh, Vermont to interview for the Education and Interpretation Fellowship. I was never this far north in Vermont. I remember driving along on NY 22A gawking out the driver’s side window at the beautiful view of the Adirondacks in the distance — it was a clear day; rare in January. Rokeby looked charming from the driveway and I thought to myself ‘this is a lot smaller than I thought.’ You see, I had studied the website carefully before arriving and given the diverse programming and initiatives, I thought this place was going to be huge. Of course, I later realized its great importance to Vermont history.
Read MoreStaff & Volunteer Spotlight — Meet Joan Gorman
by Joan Gorman, Rokeby Museum Visitor Center Coordinator
Being at the right place at the right time has its advantages. When I visited Rokeby for the first time in August 2019, little did I think that I would shortly begin a new career. I had recently sold my inn in the Mad River Valley, moving to Burlington and fortuitously purchasing the house owned by Rokeby director emerita Jane Williamson. As is the case with so many locals, I had, shamefully, never visited Rokeby in the 40 years I had lived in Vermont. Seizing the opportunity for a personal tour, I asked Jane to introduce me to the museum and the property. While I enjoyed Free & Safe, Jane chatted with Catherine Brooks, then director. Over lunch, Jane mentioned to me that Catherine had told her the museum was looking for a part-time person to finish out the season. I applied, and shortly thereafter began working greeting guests, boning up on Robinson family history, learning the administrative systems, selling items in the store, and helping with the programs. I also studied to become a guide, shadowed a few of the guides as they gave house tours and even gave a few tours myself. Once COVID is managed and we can open the Historic House again, I’m hoping to be able to do more guiding.
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