Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

VPR's coverage of arts and culture in the region.

Esther Munroe Swift: Still The Queen Of Vermont's Place Names

Esther Munroe Swift's "Vermont Place-Names" remains the seminal book on the origins of the names of Vermont's cities, towns, villages and geographic locations.
Ric Cengeri
/
VPR
Esther Munroe Swift's "Vermont Place-Names" remains the seminal book on the origins of the names of Vermont's cities, towns, villages and geographic locations.

In the new episode of Brave Little State, author Paul Gillies said Vermont Place-Names by Esther Munroe Swift is a "go-to" resource for his research. And when Mitch Wertlieb hosted a serieson Morning Edition a few years ago searching for the origins of Vermont town names, he and producer Melody Bodette relied heavily on Swift's well-loved and respected tome.

It was published in 1977 and Swift passed away in 2012. Still today Vermont Place-Names: Footprints of History remains the bible for this kind of information about Vermont places.

Stephanie Greene, an organizer of the Brattleboro Literary Festival, joined Vermont Edition to tell us more about the intrepid Esther Munroe Swift. She knew Swift, and it was Greene's parents who originally published Swift's book through their publishing house, Stephen Greene Press.

Broadcast live on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Ric was a producer for Vermont Edition and host of the VPR Cafe.
Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
Latest Stories