Alexander Twilight Day

Sunday, September 25, 2022

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African American Alexander Lucius Twilight was enigmatic and magnetic. He was driven and visionary. He was also an impressive force as an educator through the mid 1800’s in Historic Brownington Village who essentially built Athenian Hall (the four-story granite building that would house both girls and boys from 1836-1858). He employed what is modernly described as place-based, experiential educational techniques.

You may also know that Mr. Twilight was the first African American to serve in a state legislature and to graduate from a United States college (Middlebury). Mr. Twilight’s father, a freed Black man, fought in the Revolutionary War. Join us annually as we celebrate his birthday and the State of Vermont designating September 23 as Alexander Twilight Day!

Alexander Twilight Day 2022

This year we plan to celebrate with a birthday bash to remember. On Sunday, September 25th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, we will be hosting a birthday party in honor of Alexander Lucius Twilight. Completely FREE to attend, with donations appreciated.

Delicious and interesting cake will be provided by contestants in our Twilight’s Cake Bake-Off. The competition will begin at 12:30 PM, before the party officially starts. We hope that this fun contest will draw bakers (young and old, new and seasoned) to the feat of creating the best birthday cake possible for Mr. Twilight.

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Alexander Lucius Twilight (September 23, 1795 – June 19, 1857) was an American educator, minister and politician. He is the first African-American man known to have earned a bachelor's degree from an American college or university, graduating from Middlebury College in 1823. He was ordained as a Congregational minister and worked in education and ministry all his career. In 1829 Twilight became principal of the Orleans County Grammar School. There he designed and built Athenian Hall, the first granite public building in the state of Vermont. In 1836 he was the first African American elected as a state legislator, serving in the Vermont House of Representatives; he was also the only African American ever elected to a state legislature before the Civil War.

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