OLLI presents 'The Granite Cutters’ Story'

Scott McLaughlin will present the OLLI-Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program on Tuesday April 24. ‘The Granite Cutters’ Story: A History of Vermont’s 200-Year-Old Granite Industry’ will be presented at 2 p.m. at the Nolin Murray Center next to St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Pleasant St. in Springfield, Vermont.

McLaughlin is the Director of the Granite Museum in Barre, Vermont. He will relate the cultural and anthropological perspective of Vermont’s granite industry as a tale of hope and loss, and of the eager immigrants, chasing a dream, who shaped our nation’s cemeteries, parks and public architecture.

McLaughlin has been working in Vermont as an archaeologist, historian and museum professional for 32 years. Since 2015, he has served as the executive director of the Vermont Granite Museum in Barre. He also teaches in the History Department at the University of Vermont.

The following OLLI program will be just one week later on May 1, and will be ‘The Life of a Foot Soldier during the Revolutionary War’ presented by Independent Historian Damien Cregeau who will be dressed in Revolutionary War military uniform, carrying the equipment of that era.

OLLI-Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, affiliated with the University of Vermont, is a local membership program geared towards seniors 50 years and older who want to engage in meaningful learning, “just for the fun of it!” People of all ages are welcome to attend.

The OLLI series programs are selected with input from the local members and carry varied themes from semester to semester including history, art, music, literature, health, nature, science, travel and current events.

Programs are held at 2 pm on Tuesday afternoons and last about an hour and a half. Membership is $45 for the semester which includes 9 programs. Non-members are encouraged and welcome to attend individual lectures for a single program fee of $8. Memberships, as well as single program fees, may be paid at the program.

Brochures have been distributed throughout the area towns at businesses, the local libraries, town halls and Chamber of Commerce offices. The complete Springfield and state-wide program list is available on the internet at www.learn.uvm.edu/olli Choose State-wide programs from the menu, and then scroll to Springfield.

ç