Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Fauxlore: A Myth-Busting Romp through Colonial Vineyard History with Norah Van Riper

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is pleased to welcome back local historian Norah Van Riper for an interactive program about the history of Martha's Vineyard, entitled “Fauxlore: A Myth-Busting Romp through Colonial Vineyard History.” This event will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 9th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, located at 51 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven (above Tisbury Town Hall). Free and open to the public. No registration required.

We all know that “back then" everyone — especially Islanders — grew all their own food and made all their own clothes and never bought anything from anyone… Or did they? Play along as we tackle some of the most pervasive myths about pre industrial life on Martha's Vineyard and across New England in this highly interactive, very lighthearted myth-busting presentation. We’ll dissect everything from the houses they built to the clothes they wore, the food they ate, and the lives they actually lived, all while uncovering how the myths began and how they replaced the realities. Presented by Norah Van Riper. 

Itinerant historian Norah Van Riper has been in the museum and living history trades for the better part of twenty-five years. Her focus is primarily on historical agriculture and domestic life in New England before the Industrial Revolution, however, she’s known to dabble in a number of other subjects and periods. Her real passion lies in giving voice to the forgotten and misunderstood people of the past. She lives in Vineyard Haven.

For more information, please contact the library at (508) 696-4211 or send an email to vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org. 

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