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‘A difficult Founding Father to love’: New biography explores ‘nuanced’ life of Ira Allen

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‘A difficult Founding Father to love’: New biography explores ‘nuanced’ life of Ira Allen


Practically every Vermonter knows of Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen.

Far fewer are likely familiar with Ethan’s youngest brother and one of Vermont’s founders, Ira Allen – the cunning and widely unpopular land speculator, politician, negotiator and pamphleteer.

Earlier this month, local historian Kevin Graffagnino, 69, published what he says is the first book in nearly 100 years, and the second one ever, to focus primarily on the life of the underappreciated revolutionary.

“If you want to write about early Vermont, you’ve got to put him in the picture,” Graffagnino said, adding that without understanding fully who Ira was and what he contributed to the brave little state, “you’ve got a very incomplete tapestry.”

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Ira Allen: ‘Nuanced, not always good’

Graffagnino originally wrote “Ira Allen: A Biography” 31 years ago as his doctoral dissertation at the University of Massachusetts while working in University of Vermont Special Collections, where he gathered the majority of his research.

Graffagnino’s new biography fills a literary and academic gap on Ira, who is mostly reduced to a minor character in books about Vermont’s early history.

Ira’s only other biography, written in the 1920s, is verbose and “almost unreadable,” Graffagnino said, and worst of all, an overly flattering portrayal of the morally gray man. In contrast, “Ira Allen: A Biography” offers a more succinct, objective account of Ira’s life.

“He’s nuanced, he’s not always good,” Graffagnino said. “He can usually find a way to advance the public with his own ambition, but if it comes down to a real pinch where you can only get one of them, then Ira will seldom do the heroic thing. If one of the horses is going to drop dead, it’s going to be the one for the public.”

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Why has it taken so long for a proper Ira Allen biography?

It’s quite simple: Ira is a “difficult Founding Father to love,” Graffagnino asserts in his book about his subject who was once the richest man in the Champlain Valley.

For one thing, Ira does not fit the American ideal of a Revolutionary War hero like his brawny and bold brother Ethan. In contrast, Ira acquired the nickname “Stub” for his short stature and “couldn’t beat anyone up,” Graffagnino said, instead having to resort to less romantic means to accomplish his goals.

“He has to persuade, he has to make backroom deals, he has to outsmart you,” Graffagnino said.

Ira’s crafty ways – he wasn’t above tricking someone into giving away their valuable land – also didn’t “evoke a lot of affection” while he was alive.  

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“He’s a practical guy,” Graffagnino said of Ira. “His loyalties and affiliations are determined often, not always 100%, by what’s good for him financially.”

If Ethan was Vermont’s Davy Crocket, Ira was the state’s Aaron Burr, a important American figure who was “driven, brilliant at times” and “distrusted” by most of his peers, Graffagnino said in his book.

“I don’t particularly like him,” said Graffagnino. “But I respect him and he’s important” to understanding 18th-century America.

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Is Ira Allen buried in Vermont?

Ira Allen died penniless, irrelevant and alone in 1812 at age 64 in Philadelphia where he fled 10 years prior to avoid paying his debts. Unlike Ethan and many other revolutionary giants who secured extravagant gravesites and burials, Ira’s body was buried in a pauper’s grave at the Free Quaker Burial Ground in Philadelphia.

A few years later, he and the cemetery’s other occupants were dug up and deposited under a tree in Audubon, Pennsylvania. A marker designating the spot as Ira’s final resting place was erected in the 1990s, a project Graffagnino helped complete. Twenty years ago, Vermont lawmakers determined it would be too costly to identify and retrieve his bones from the pile.

However, Ira does have a cenotaph located in Burlington’s Greenmount Cemetery right next to the Ethan Allen Monument.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.



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46 anti-Trump No Kings protests planned in Vermont. How to go

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46 anti-Trump No Kings protests planned in Vermont. How to go


Vermonters protest against deportations, stand in solidarity with LA

Vermonters marched up Church Street in solidarity of Los Angeles protestors and against the federal government’s immigration policies June 10.

Large scale anti-Trump protests are coming to Vermont for a third time, with at least 46 No Kings protests planned across the state for March 28.

This round of No Kings protests might be the biggest so far: organizers anticipate it’ll be “one of the largest single-day nonviolent nationwide protests in U.S. history,” with more than 3,000 events already planned across the country on March 28.

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“As President Trump escalates his attempts to control us, it is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” the “No Kings” website says. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken. We are coming together again on March 28 because we know we can overcome this repression when we unite.”

In Vermont, protests are being held in all corners of the state, from Bennington to Newport. There are about six protests listed in Burlington, including a march to City Hall, a New North End Honk and Wave and a rally at the intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Drive.

Here’s what to know ahead of the protests.

What are ‘No Kings’ protests and what does it mean?

In June 2025, large crowds of Vermont residents took part in the first round of “No Kings Day” protests, planned the same day as the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration and the president’s birthday.

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Another wave of nationwide “No Kings” protests came several months later in October, in which over seven million Americans joined events in all 50 states, according to the organization. In Burlington, thousands of protesters brought homemade signs protesting Trump, dressed in colorful inflatable costumes, played music and chanted.

Organizers behind the No Kings protests say that it is a “peaceful movement” to push back on President Donald Trump’s policies, including on immigration, foreign policy and the economy.

“With every ICE raid, every escalation abroad, and every abuse of power at home, Americans are rising up in opposition to Trump’s attempt to rule through fear and force. Each day Trump crosses a new red line, and more people are deciding they’ve had enough,” said Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the many organizations backing the mass protests.

Others include American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, MoveOn and 50501.

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No Kings protests near me: See events, rallies in Vermont

As of 2 p.m. on March 26, there were 46 No Kings events planned in Rhode Island for March 28. Some towns and cities are holding multiple events.

Here’s a list of events in Burlington:

  • Burlington New North End Honk and Wave: 11a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1127 North Ave, Burlington
    • “Invite your friends and neighbors and meet up at 11 a.m. at 1127 North Avenue along the sidewalks at the entrances of the Ethan Allen Shopping Plaza (home to Hannaford Supermarket and many other shops). Bring your signs, banners, noise makers, and American flags,” the listing reads. “This joyous, non-violent honk and wave action will wrap up at 12:30 p.m. Following the Honk and Wave, participants are welcome to proceed to City Hall Park to join the conclusion of the North End and South End marches.”
  • Patchen Road Overpass: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Patchen Road & Landfill Road, South Burlington
    • “We’ll be unfurling our huge NO KINGS banners on the overpass as 4,000 – 5,000 vehicles per hours pass below on Interstate 89. Bring a sign, bring an American flag, and bring a friend,” reads the listing. It says to register and to follow the guidance of safety marshals, and encourages attendees to carpool as “parking is tight.”
  • Burlington South End March: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Calahan Park, 45 Locust St, Burlington
    • “We’ll be marching from Calahan Park to City Hall Park,” says the event description. “If you don’t want to march or are unable please join us at City Hall park at 12:30 p.m. for singing, chanting and more.”
  • South Burlington: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Dr in South Burlington, 1001 Shelburne Rd, South Burlington, VT
    • “Join Champlain Valley Indivisible at the intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Drive in South Burlington to stand up and speak out against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence,” the event listing says, adding that those interested should register.
  • Burlington March to City Hall: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1 S Prospect St., Burlington
  • Burlington Old North End March: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Roosevelt Park, 57 Oak St., Burlington
    • “We’ll be marching from Roosevelt park to City Hall Park,” the listing says. “If you don’t want to march or are unable please join us at City Hall park at 12:30 p.m. for singing, chanting and more.”

Here’s a list of all the towns in Vermont holding protests so far, plus when, where and other helpful information listed on the event pages or provided in press releases:

  • Bellow Falls
  • Bennington
  • Bradford
  • Brandon
  • Brattleboro
  • Burlington
  • Charlotte
  • Chester
  • Essex Junction
  • Fair Haven
  • Fairfax
  • Hardwick
  • Hartford
  • Huntington
  • Jericho
  • Manchester
  • Middlebury
  • Milton
  • Milton
  • Montpelier
  • Morrisville
  • Newbury
  • Newport
  • Northfield
  • Randolph
  • Randolph
  • Richmond
  • Rutland
  • Saint Johnsbury
  • Shelburne
  • South Burlington
  • South Burlington
  • St. Albans
  • Wallingford
  • Waterbury
  • Westfield
  • Williston
  • Wilmington
  • Windsor
  • Winooski
  • Wolcott
  • Woodstock

More events may be planned. You can check the map on the No Kings website to see if your town is holding a protest.

What time are No Kings events?

“No Kings” protests in Vermont start at various times on March 28, with some events planned at 10 a.m. and others planned throughout the afternoon, according to the online map of events.

Contributing: Paris Barraza

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Vermont Sports Hall of Fame adds two members to 2026 induction class

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Vermont Sports Hall of Fame adds two members to 2026 induction class


An international ambassador for tennis from South Burlington and a three-sport captain at Burlington High School and the University of Vermont more than 100 years ago are the final members for the 2026 Vermont Sports Hall of Fame banquet, the organization announced in a news release on Thursday, March 26.

Jake Agna, the former legendary tennis coach at South Burlington High School, is the 2026 David Hakins inductee, which honors an individual or a group or organization for exceptional promotion of sports, athletics and recreation in the state. Fenwick Watkins, a pioneer and exceptional athlete and coach who helped break color barriers in sports in the early 1900s, has been named the hall’s historic inductee.

Agna and Watkins join 10 other members previously announced this year who will officially be enshrined during a celebration banquet at the Delta Marriott Burlington Hotel on 1117 Williston Road in South Burlington on Saturday, April 25.

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The dinner begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony. To purchase tickets to the 2026 event, visit the VSHOF website at vermontsportshall.com. The cost is $95 per plate with part of the proceeds going to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, the longtime designated charity for VSHOF.  

Over 38 years coaching girls tennis at South Burlington, Agana compiled a 489-95 record with eight perfect seasons, 16 Division I titles and 13 runner-up trophies before stepping down prior to the 2023 season.

Agna is also founded Kids on the Ball in 2000, which is designed to teach children life lessons such as relationships and respect by learning the game of tennis. He has led 31 trips to Cuba to help expand the sport. His tennis programs reach out to over 200 kids each day in school and after school programs.

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Agna’s work to help resurface 10 courts and renovation of the National Tennis Center in Cuba in 2017 was recognized by the Tennis Channel.

Watkins was a three-sport star in football, basketball, baseball at Burlington before graduating in 1905. At UVM, he is believed to be the first Black captain of a non-historical Black college or university sport and was captain for all three sports at both BHS and UVM, according to VSHOF.

After UVM, Watkins went on to become a high school and college head coach in North Dakota at Concordia College (football) and what is now known as North Dakota State (baseball and football). He died in 1943.

The previous winners for the Hakins award are: Barry Stone (2024); Thomas Dunkley (2023); Ted Ryan (2022); Cochran’s Ski Area, Mickey & Ginny Cochran (2020); Mal Boright (2019); Helmut Lenes (2017); Ernie Farrar (2015); Tom Curley (2014) and Ray Pecor (2013).

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The previous historic winners include: Leo Papineau, St. Michael’s College, athlete, coach and official (2025); Clarence Demar, South Hero, distance running, (2017); Fred Harris, Brattleboro, outdoors/ski jumping, (2015); James Taylor, Windsor, outdoors, (2014); and Charles Adams, Newport, National Hockey League, (2013).

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.





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See the Brattleboro student who won the Poetry Out Loud state finals

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See the Brattleboro student who won the Poetry Out Loud state finals


Eason DeMarsico-Thorne, a student at Brattleboro Union High School, won the 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Finals, held the Flynn on March 5, according to a community announcement.

DeMarsico-Thorne will represent Vermont at the national competition at the end of April in the nation’s capital. Gretchen Wertlieb of South Burlington High School was the runner-up, and Aiva Reed of Windsor High School placed third.

The state finals featured 10 students who recited poems over three rounds. The top three, with the highest cumulative scores after the first two rounds, advanced to the final round.

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DeMarsico-Thorne recited “Fruit of the Flower” by Countee Cullen, “I Shall Return” by Claude Mckay and “A Southern Road” by Helene Johnson.

Wertlieb recited “To a Young Dancing Girl” by Elsa Gidlow, “Thoughts in Jail” by Katharine Rolston Fisher and “I shall forget you presently, my dear” (Sonnet IV), by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Reed recited “Why We Oppose Women Travelling in Railway Trains” by Alice Duer Miller, “Militants to Certain Other Women” by Katharine Rolston Fisher and “If I Had Known” by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson.

The other finalists were Phoebe Gresham from Mount Mansfield Union High School, Ranee Hall from Thetford Academy, Marcus Burns from St. Johnsbury Academy, Taylor Daleb from Peoples Academy, Moya Thayer from Burlington High School, Theo Novak from Champlain Valley Union High School and Patrick Tester from Lyndon Institute.

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Eighteen schools across Vermont registered to bring the national Poetry Out Loud program to their classrooms for the 2025-26 school year, reaching 2,000 students with about 60 teachers participating, according to the announcement. Fifteen students were selected by their teachers as school champions and participated in the statewide semifinals, held on Feb. 12 at the Barre Opera House.

DeMarsico-Thorne received $200 and advances to the national finals, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends are distributed. The state champion’s school receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. Wertlieb received $100, with $200 for her school.

Poetry Out Loud is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Vermont Arts Council. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4 million students across the country have participated. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers the monetary prizes.

For more information about Vermont Poetry Out Loud, visit flynnvt.org/Education/poetry-out-loud.

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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