Daisy Turner
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Daisy Turner
About
Daisy Turner lived most of her life in Grafton, VT with her family. She was a celebrated storyteller.
About this audio segment:
In 1983 Jane Beck, the founder of the Vermont Folklife Center, first met Daisy Turner, who then was 100 years old, born in Grafton, Vermont, the daughter of slaves. Beck was astounded by the scope of her family story and Daisy’s ability to communicate it. She visited her frequently until she died in 1988 at 104, recording over sixty hours of her reminiscences and family narrative. Daisy’s captivating account covers slavery, plantation life, escape, the Civil War, moving north, battling racism, buying land and settling on a hilltop in Vermont that became a family center. In addition to the epic arc of this narrative, Daisy’s own life story is one of discrimination, resilience and strength—a powerful and rare account of the African American experience in New England.
Tour Stop Location
Research & Production
Audio Producer: Vermont Folklife Center
Research & Narration: Jane Beck
Ongoing Development and Involvement:
As a community-created project, we encourage ongoing dialogue, questions, and engagement. If you would like to be involved in future developments, have information or a perspective that could deepen others' understanding of this topic, please contact us
Photos & Video
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<p>Daisy Turner - school- Preservation Trust of Vermont</p>
<p>Daisy Turner - school- Preservation Trust of Vermont</p>
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<p>Daisy Turner's Kin by Jane Beck</p>
<p>Daisy Turner's Kin by Jane Beck</p>
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<p>Daisy with deer - Vermont Folklife Center</p>
<p>Daisy with deer - Vermont Folklife Center</p>
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<p>Daisy turns 70 - Vermont Folklife Center</p>
<p>Daisy turns 70 - Vermont Folklife Center</p>
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<p>Haying on Turner Hill - Vermont Folklife Center</p>
<p>Haying on Turner Hill - Vermont Folklife Center</p>
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<p>Turner Hill homestead</p>
<p>Turner Hill homestead</p>
For More:
- Daisy Turner - Grafton Historical Society
- Boston Globe: Daisy Turner: narrator of a sweeping African-American family tale
- The Turner Homestead - Windham Foundation
- Jane Beck: Daisy Turner's Kin - Vermont Folklife Center
- Peabody Award Winning Series: Journey's End - listen on prx (Vermont Folklife Center)
On Her Own: The Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family -
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On Her Own: The Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family: "The Boston Market,"
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On Her Own: The Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family: "Daisy and the Doll."
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On Her Own: The Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family: "Music on Turner Hill,"
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On Her Own: The Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family: "Lincoln was shot!"