Use the form on the right to contact us.
You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.
Celebrate Women’s History Month. Borrow and read Remarkable Minds: 17 more pioneering women in science & medicine OR a book of your choice about women in science (even picture books count). Join us for lively discussion about these inspirational women. All ages welcome. Bring your own brown bag dinner or snacks. Drinks will be provided.
For the November meeting of the Athenaeum's non-fiction book discussion group, we will read and discuss Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves, by Adam Hochschild, a narrative of the struggle to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire.
We have multiple copies available for check out at the circulation desk. If you would like to reserve a copy, speak with any circulation staff, or email librarian Christian Collins at ccollins@stjathenaeum.org.
Refreshments will be served.
Thanks to everyone who took part in our September non-fiction book discussion about Shackleton and the voyage of the Endurance. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 26th at 6:30 pm. We will be exploring the theme of presidential leadership, and the qualities that make some U.S. presidents stand out as visionary and effective leaders, with a particular focus on U.S. presidents up through the early 20th century.
You are encouraged to choose a book from the list below-- or another one from our collection or your personal library-- read it, and come prepared to share the insights you've gleaned about presidential leadership.
Refreshments will be served.
Suggested Reading:
-Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A life.
-Ellis, J. J. (1997). American sphinx: The character of Thomas Jefferson.
-Foner, E. (2010). The fiery trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery
-Gordon-Reed, A. (2008). The Hemingses of Monticello: An American family
-McCullough, D. G. (2001). John Adams.
-Meacham, J. (2008). American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House.
-Russell, F. (2005). Adams, an American dynasty. Edison, N.J: Castle Books.
-Vidal, G. (2003). Inventing a nation: Washington, Adams, Jefferson
Held worldwide, this informal small table discussion about death has no agenda, no directive and no specific message to be shared. Questions? Call Abby Pollender, 748-7473. Everyone is welcome — free of charge.
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and the Shambhala Meditation Center of St. Johnsbury are delighted to present an inspiring and interactive dialogue among experts in the fields of economics, leadership, climate action and community building.Join these presenters for an evening of food, conversation and creative thinking:
Vermont can be the forerunner, and lead the nation toward a sustainable future!
People often say that Vermont is too small and our footprint is relatively insignificant, therefore there's really not much we can do to affect change. In fact, our political system, economic structure, and way of life are more conducive to positive change, for those same reasons.
Vermont has what it takes to be a forerunner in establishing a sustainable lifestyle in the face of climate disruption:
The goal of the evening is to join our minds and hearts in the spirit of moving forward--moving things in a better direction!
Refreshments will be provided. The only other ingredient is you.
Journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Rumor of War Philip Caputo will discuss the treatment of war in his writing in a talk at St. Johnsbury Athenaeum on October 5 at 7:00 pm. His talk, “Putting the Sword to the Pen,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public.
Caputo will reflect on how, in his work, war is a context in which our contradictory natures play out, often with stark clarity.
Caputo has written 16 books. His acclaimed memoir of Vietnam, A Rumor of War, has been published in 15 languages, sold two million copies since its publication in 1977, and is widely regarded as a classic in the literature of war. He has published dozens of major magazine articles, reviews, and op-ed pieces in publications including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and National Geographic. He has won ten journalistic and literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for team investigative reporting with the Chicago Tribune. He was born in Chicago, graduated from Loyola University, and served in the US Marine Corps from 1964 to 1967.
Join us to read and discuss stories of exploration, discovery, and danger in the coldest parts of our planet WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th at 6pm.
This month’s theme is inspired by Caroline Alexander’s The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition, the Vermont Humanities Council 2016 VERMONT READS book. The Athenaeum has 15 copies of The Endurance available for loan to patrons on a first-come-first-served basis.
We also have a variety of resources on exploration in the Antarctic and Arctic regions. Participants are encouraged to pick up a copy of The Endurance and/or another book from the list below, read them, and come prepared to discuss and share. Refreshments will be served.
Berton, Pierre. The Arctic Grail: The Quest for the North West Passage and the North Pole, 1818-1909.
Bryce, Robert M. Cook & Peary: The Polar Controversy, Resolved.
Byrd, Richard E. Alone: The Classic Polar Adventure.
Henderson, Bruce. True North: Peary, Cook, and the Race to the Pole.
Herbert, Wally. The Noose of Laurels: Robert E. Peary and the Race to the North Pole.
MacPhee, R. D. E. Race to the End: Amundsen, Scott, and the Attainment of the South Pole.
Niven, Jennifer. The Ice Master: The Doomed 1913 Voyage of the Karluk.
Perkins, Dennis N. T, Margaret P. Holtman, and Jillian B. Murphy. Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition.
Tyler-Lewis, Kelly. The Lost Men: The Harrowing Saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party.
Join us to read about and discuss Syria and the Middle East.
Our first monthly non-fiction book discussion group is inspired by this summer’s “Syria to St. Johnsbury/ St. Johnsbury to Syria” program series.
We will meet Wednesday, August 17th at 6pm for a lively and wide-ranging discussion of Syria and the Middle East from a variety of angles and viewpoints. Participants are encouraged to choose a book (or books) from the following resources in our collection, read them, and come to discuss and share what you’ve read.
All are welcome. You don’t need to have read to take part. We will also be discussing choices of topics for upcoming months. Refreshments will be provided.
