Ebenezer Allen was granted a parcel of land on the southernmost end of South Hero in appreciation of his contributions as a Green Mountain Boy in the Revolutionary War. He later turned his homestead into a tavern, as did others living near the lake at that time. Residents living on the island came to swap stories and acquaintances and travelers from across the lake came to trade supplies.
Over the years, the Allen Homestead changed hands and uses. It was a family farm house, a tavern, a hippie commune, and today is a tastefully renovated suburban family home.
Ron Phelps was born and grew up in the farmhouse across the road from the Allen Homestead and his family lived there for many generations. Ron told us a little history of the famous Vermonter who first built this house and his cousin who visited him there and also about the changes he has seen in the house and those he has learned from his family in the past.
This is a very appropriate subject for our historical society program because the evolution of this house mirrors the evolution of the community and society as a whole.
Sept. 7th, 2018 at 7PM in the brick area of the Folsom Educational Center.
Joyce Blow was also on hand to tell about her family's years living in the house. And we were very lucky to have some members of the audience who had very interesting stories to add to this presentation especially the ones about when Hippies lived in the house.
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