The Horace Greeley Foundation

In its 19th year of offering the writers' symposium, the non-profit Horace Greeley Foundation, funded through donations and proceeds from Symposium fees, is dedicated to promoting the writer's trade and the spirit of public oration that was central to Greeley's life.

What is perhaps equally central to our mission is preserving the sense of place and memory of life in a small New England village. Each year, we meet in those places where Greeley lived, worked, debated and voraciously read the books and journals that fed his intellectual curiosity.

This year's symposium will be held on Saturday, October 16th, 2021 at the United Baptist Church in East Poultney, VT from 9am-3pm. This year's keynote speaker is author Darcey Gohring.

Darcey Gohring is a writer, author, and essayist. A 1996 graduate of Green Mountain College, Darcey began her writing career 25 years ago. THE ROAD HOME is her debut novel and is inspired by her young adult life including her time in Poultney. It follows the main character, Katie, through her childhood and early adult years as she navigates through challenging times. One of the pivotal sections of the book is when Katie finds a safe space in the college community of Green Mountain, where she learns for the first time what healthy love and true friendship feel like. Darcey is also a contributing author to the anthology book Corona City: Voices from an Epicenter. A busy freelance writer, she is a frequent Style Contributor to the online interior design magazine 21oak.com. Her work has also appeared in dozens of other publications including Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books podcast host Zibby Owens’ online magazine (Moms Don’t Have Time to Write), Scary Mommy, New Jersey Monthly, NJHome, and Wainscot Media’s luxury magazine publications. She spent six years as managing editor of a regional lifestyle magazine and was a copywriter for the clothing brand J. Crew. With her varied background, Darcey will discuss her journey, the importance of finding the right collaborations, and staying true to your own voice to achieve your writing dreams. 

We are also pleased to announce author Jackie Gordon will return to speak at this year's symposium.

Jackie Gordon wrote her first book in 2002. It came as surprise through her husband’s encouragement. Her second book “Country Love and Laughter” came out in 2003 and later two more surprises came out.

Jackie has been a public speaker for many years and she often speaks at community groups, churches, and seminars. She and her husband have been married 61 years, and have four children, 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren which means she is almost always on the move.

Jackie loves to encourage “would be writers” to take a leap into writing and see the impossible as possible!



   

Annabelle McGovern is a sixth grader at Poultney Elementary School. In the spring Annabelle wrote and produced a documentary on Greeley titled, "Horace Greeley: Using Communication to Influence Public Opinion." 

Anabelle's documentary was entered into the Vermont History Day competition in April where it was awarded the Friends of the Vermont Statehouse Freedom and Unity Civics prize. 

We are excited to welcome Anabelle to share her awardwinning documentary at the symposium. 

The 1961 U.S. postage stamp honoring Greeley.