“This history, it gets to you, you know? Just can’t seem to get enough of it.”
– Fred Fletcher
“I just think Underhill is the most wonderful place to live. I thought that when I was 10 years old, and I think of it now. It’s just, everybody is still neighborly, you know? It’s still a place where you can ask for help and you’ll get it.”
– Jo McClellan
Clark Wright grew up on a dairy farm in Underhill, Vermont during the 1940s. His interview covers topics such as his family background, stories from attending the local schoolhouse, memories of teachers and classmates, his interests in antique cars, and various jobs he had over the years. Also included is an image of Larry Wright on his farm in 1947, which Clark discusses in the second interview.
Dick Page
Dick Page was born in 1946 in Colchester, Vermont and grew up on a dairy farm in Underhill, Vermont. This interview covers his family background, childhood on the farm, schooling, Vietnam War, postwar career, marriage, health, and perspectives on how Underhill has changed over time.
Dorothy Blodgett
Dorothy Blodgett was born in Moretown, VT in 1939. This interview covers Dorothy’s life including Dorothy’s family background, childhood, education, marriage and children, work experience, health issues, hobbies like gardening and salt & pepper shaker collecting, and her life in Underhill, VT.
Fred Fletcher grew up on a dairy farm in Underhill, VT in the 1940s-1950s. Interviews cover topics like his family and childhood on the farm, the farm work, going to a one-room schoolhouse, local businesses and life in Underhill at that time, marriage, and moving to his farm in Fletcher, VT.
Gail Prior grew up in Underhill, Center. This interview discusses her childhood, growing up, her education, and her work in Underhill and Jericho.
Jo McClellan was born in Winooski in 1931 and lived in New York before returning to Vermont to live in Underhill as a child. The interviews below cover her childhood, family, career, and favorite memories.
Julia Smith Northrop was born in Burlington, VT in 1928. The interviews below discuss Julia’s childhood memories growing up in the 1930s and 40s, including experiencing the 1938 hurricane, taking piano lessons, singing with the Vermont State Symphony Orchestra, attending Pine Manor College and studying music, and later teaching music in Burlington elementary schools.
Matt Parisi
The interviews below discuss Matt’s background, including growing up in Philadelphia, serving in the military during the Korean War, meeting his wife Mary in Vermont, and settling down in Underhill. Additional topics covered his career as a mason, memories of the town and people over the decades, the zoning board, local softball games, and more.
The interviews below cover Randy Clark’s life growing up, time in the military, his service with the Underhill/Jericho Fire Department, the Memorial Day Parade, and career working with his father at Clark’s Truck Center.
The interviews below discuss Sue’s life, family, career, and memories living in Underhill, Vermont. Sue describes her childhood, family, and career. This audio Includes readings from essays in Sue’s book Under the Mountain: “Christmas Revisited” and “The Perfect Apple Pie.”
This includes readings from two essays in Sue’s book Under the Mountain: “My Guest for the Night,” and “Lutherine R. Farmer, 1928 – 2012” (Lou Farmer worked for the Town of Underhill as Town Treasurer from 1974 to 1990, and Town Clerk from 1990 to 1993)
Ted Tedford
In the interview below, Ted Tedford discusses his life and career, focusing on his time living in Underhill, Vermont. Topics discussed include Ted’s childhood in Connecticut, his career in journalism at various newspapers, his time serving as a Selectman in Underhill, his research and writing of a book about the St. Albans Raid during the Civil War, and his perspective on life in Underhill over the past few decades.
Pat Goudy O’Brien
This interview is with Pat Goudy O’Brien, Marie Tedford’s daughter. She reads a story by her mother from the book “Nanny Goat Hill”.
Edie McLaughlin
Edie McLaughlin discusses her family history, growing up on a farm in the Underhill/Jericho area, her schooling, marriage to Roger McLaughlin, raising children in Pleasant Valley, involvement with horse riding and Pony Club, and current life after losing her husband and son. Key topics include her Rawson family roots, farm chores as a child, attending Jericho schools, meeting Roger while skiing, raising kids in Pleasant Valley dealing with the wind and school bus challenges, helping with Pony Club activities.
Denis Beloin
Denis Beloin discusses his French Canadian heritage, growing up, his family, his work in the lumber industry, and accident that broke his back. He reflects on on the changes he has observed in Underhill over the years and the character of the town.
This is an interview with Roland Burroughs and his wife Rachel, covering their life stories from childhood to adulthood. Roland shares details about growing up in a large family in Newbury, Vermont, his education at UVM, military service, career changes, and involvement in local government and community organizations. Rachel discusses her nursing career, including the perinatal program she worked on. They talk about meeting each other, getting married, raising their children, and their grandchildren. The interview covers many personal anecdotes and local Underhill history.
Zilda Bolio Metcalf
This interview is with Zilda Bolio Metcalf, who discusses her life growing up on a farm in Hardwick, Vermont, working at the Winooski Mills, meeting and marrying her husband Bob Bolio, running a store together in Underhill Center, and later becoming the Underhill town clerk. She talks about her involvement with the Underhill Historical Society, her children, splitting time between Vermont and Florida in retirement, and her fondness for the Underhill community.
Scott Tower
In this interview, Scott Tower discusses the history of the Tower family and the early settlers in Underhill, Vermont in the 1820s and his experience researching the Tower family history, including his mother’s interest in genealogy and his brother’s role as the family historian. Scott also shares his research into the Civil War history of Underhill, including documenting the soldiers from the town who fought in the war, as well as research into the Irish immigrant history in Underhill during the 19th century.
Kathleen Langlais
Kathleen Langlais was born in 1948 and adopted by the Romfrey family at age 3, growing up in Underhill Center. She shares fond memories of her childhood, including the marimba band, playing with neighborhood kids, having animals like a goat, and attending the local school. She talks about her parents running the town store, her mother’s artistic talents like painting, and various community members and activities. Kathleen reflects on her later life, marriage, moving around, and eventually returning to the area.
Michael Luck
Michael Luck discusses his experiences and family history in Underhill, Vermont. Born in 1947 in Burlington, Vermont, Michael shares his deep connections to Underhill through his Irish immigrant ancestors, the Leddy family, who settled there during the potato famine in the 1840s. He recounts his childhood summers spent at a camp near Maple Leaf Farm, his friendships, and his experiences growing up in the area. Luck also discusses his professional career as an anthropologist and university administrator, and his current retirement in Underhill.
Lois Nassau
In this interview, Lois Nassau recounts her life story, beginning with her birth in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1926. She describes her childhood, including moving to various places and experiencing a house fire. Lois discusses her education, including attending junior college and later moving to Connecticut where she met her husband, Jim. She details their life in Glastonbury, Connecticut, raising three children, and Jim’s career at Pratt & Whitney. Lois explains their decision to move to Vermont in 1978, influenced by their friends Ed and Betty Moore. Lois shares her lifelong involvement with music, including piano lessons, singing, and participating in choirs.
Steve McClellan
Steve discusses his childhood in Underhill, his time with Michael Luck, his parents, Air Force service, and children.
Nate Sullivan
Nate Sullivan discusses his family’s arrival in Underhill, growing up, and farming with his family. He describes memories of neighbors, farming in the community, and changes in farming practices and technologies over the decades.
Ed Stygles
Ed Stygles and his friend Mike share their life experiences, including Ed’s frequent moves as a child due to his father’s farming activities. Ed settled in Jericho at 21 and farmed with his wife. Ed recounts his childhood chores, the impact of modern farming practices, and the community’s changes. Ed discusses his family and his involvement in local activities, as well as Mike’s notable moose hunting achievement.
Burton Rawson shares his family’s farming history in Jericho and Underhill, going back to his great-grandfather and uncle attending medical school and his grandfather, Solon, clearing the land and building a barn in 1911. Burton was born on another farm in 1946 and moved to his current farm in 1982.
Pierrette Lehouiller Lyman, Maurice Lehouiller, and Lise Lehouiller Wursthorn
Pierrette, Maurice, and Lise discuss their family’s move from Quebec to Underhill, Vermont, in May 1949. Their father, seeking better economic opportunities, moved the family to a larger farm milking 50-55 cows compared to 20 in Canada. The family recounts the challenges they faced, including language barriers and heavy farm work, as well as their school experiences, community interactions, and cultural traditions.
Underhill Historical Society 