On Thursday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m., the Bennington Museum will welcome author Raymond Rodrigues who will perform in character as Erastus, the central figure in his recently published historical novel Memoir of a Green Mountain Boy. This program is sponsored by the Bennington Historical Society. Admission is free.

In 1774, a young man from Pownal, Vermont, dreamed of becoming a Green Mountain Boy. After his father dies, his uncle comes to care for the farm and shares tales of the legendary Green Mountain Boys with the young man, Erastus. This can only lead to one thing - Erastus must belong to this elite group. Escape in the story, as Erastus, filled with patriotism and pride, innocence and naivety, follows his dream; a dream that in reality is filled with unsuspecting events and adventures.

Hear excerpts from the story and discuss with the author the excitement and hilarity of this young man’s tale.

A native of Bedminster, New Jersey, Dr. Rodrigues holds an A.B. in English and M.Ed. in Education, both from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D in Secondary Education from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Rodrigues began his career in higher education in 1974. He has served in a variety of chair, administrative, and directorship positions at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, New Mexico State, Colorado State University, and North Adams State College in Massachusetts. Most recently he was Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost of the University of Texas in Brownsville. He has published more than 13 books and over 50 articles, and his tenure in the field of education has spanned more than thirty-five years. His most recent publication, Memoir of a Green Mountain Boy, was published in September, 2007.