Saturday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m.—LUDLOW— Okemo Mountain School and The Book Nook proudly present a book talk by Vermont historian and preservationist Brian L. Knight, author of newly released “ Snowboarding in Southern Vermont, ” Saturday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. The event takes place at the OMS Fitness Facility. There will be a short talk starting at 6 p.m., which will be followed by a question and answer period and the chance to buy a copy of the book.
Brian Knight has worked in social and architectural history in New England since 1997. He received a B.A. in political science and M.S. in historic preservation from the University of Vermont. Over the last 17 years, Knight’s historic preservation experience included private non-profits and government agencies at the local, state and national level. In addition to his extensive Vermont work, he subcontracted for several regional private sector firms, with projects in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Relevant projects included a neighborhood survey for Bennington, and a survey of modernist buildings in Burlington. From 2003-2009, Knight was the curator for Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home in Manchester.
“Snowboarding in Southern Vermont” looks at the “Manchester and the mountains” area of Vermont during the 1980s and 1990s as the epicenter of the fledgling sport of snowboarding. With the presence of Burton Snowboards, the U.S. Open Championships and one of the earliest machine-built halfpipes at Stratton Mountain, the local population led the vanguard as the sport ventured from the fringe to mainstream. Ranging from Olympic gold medalists to backhoe operators and converted skiers, locals contributed immensely to the development of the sport. Knight details the birth, growth and development of a new worldwide sport from humble beginnings in southern Vermont.
OMS is located at 53 Main St., Ludlow. For more information, call 802-228-3238.
Photo courtesy OMS
Brian L. Knight, author of “Snowboarding in Southern Vermont,” will attend a Q&A talk at Okemo Mountain School, Jan. 19.
