Beyond the House Museum
10th Summer Festival
JUNE 15 – JULY 13, 2026 Manchester, Vermont
Ariel Rudiakov and Joana Genova, Artistic Directors
Chamber Music Saturdays
Riley Center for the Arts, 143 Seminary Ave. Manchester Village
JUNE 20, 27, AND JULY 11
Young Artist Concerts
Riley Center for the Arts, Manchester Village
JUNE 29 AND JULY 13
Taconic Pops Orchestra
Ariel Rudiakov, Conductor; with guest, singer Maxine Linehan
SATURDAY, JULY 4
Southern Vermont Arts Center 860 SVAC Drive( Manchester West Rd.)
INFO / TICKETS taconicmusic. org
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Stephen: How might Hildene play a more prominent role in the educational and cultural life of Manchester and Southern Vermont?
Craig: We can do more to activate the powerful narratives embedded in this place— using not only our historic buildings, but also our work in agriculture and environmental stewardship.
At a time when younger generations are immersed in the immediacy of smartphones and social media, we have an opportunity— and a responsibility— to show that history is not static. It’ s a tool for inquiry and reflection, and those reflections can shape the course of a life. We also need to engage more directly with the community— partnering with like-minded organizations, supporting the development of civics education, and creating spaces where meaningful civil discourse can take place across differences. This is both important work and entirely within our reach.
Stephen: You mentioned civics education and working to improve civil discourse and one’ s sense of community. How important is it for Hildene to reach young people, especially through hands-on programs? I see on the Hildene website programs like your farm and food studies work with the local Burr & Burton students.
Craig: I believe deeply that Hildene’ s most important work lies in shaping the imaginations, choices, and trajectories of the next generation. Young people today are navigating a world that is more complex, more uncertain, and in many ways more overwhelming than the one I experienced growing up.
What makes Hildene so special is the sheer range of experiences it offers— so many opportunities to draw young people away from screens and into meaningful engagement with the world around them. I’ ve long believed that one of the most important tasks of childhood is to become genuinely interested in something that matters. Hildene offers countless pathways for that kind of discovery.
30 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine. com