The remarkable life of Vermont’s first known Black Sheriff and Chief of Police, Stephen Bates, was commemorated on October 3, 2021, at Vergennes City Park. A short documentary was created by local videographer, Chris Spencer, and is available online to view. If you would like to watch the documentary as a small group, on a larger screen, this documentary will be available for public viewing at the Bixby Library during open hours, Saturday Feb 12th. Please ask at the Circulation desk for details.  The history of this amazing person, and the connections made today because of him, will be discussed in a special online Black History Month program Saturday Feb 26th.

The Life of Stephen Bates from Chris Spencer on Vimeo.