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- Title
The Joseph Smith Memorial Monument and Royalton's "Mormon Affair": Religion, Community, Memory, and Politics in Progressive Vermont.
- Authors
Erekson, Keith A.
- Abstract
Discusses the rivalry between Royalton and South Royalton, Vermont, during the Progressive Era by examining the politics surrounding the construction of a monument to memoralize Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion. Junius F. Wells, a Mormon businessman, proposed to construct a monument to Smith in March 1905 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Smith's birth near Royalton. It was completed 23 December 1905. Controversy arose between the two Royaltons regarding the meaning and memory of Smith and his time in Vermont. Royalton residents disavowed association with Smith due to the unorthodox Christian nature of Mormonism, while people in South Royalton appeared to approve of the rising affluence of Mormons in particular, and of the Progressive-Era economy in general. Though founded later, South Royalton became the more populous and influential town of the two, politically, economically, and culturally, during the early 20th century.
- Publication
Vermont History, 2005, Vol 73, Issue 2, p117
- ISSN
0042-4161
- Publication type
Article