The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast

After months of initial planning, the Brattleboro Historical Society Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce our latest project – bringing this town’s history out of storage and into the land of the light, with a museum. As you may know, BHS has developed exhibits and displays in numerous locations over the years and even in Montpelier at the Vermont Historical Society. This new project continues that tradition – but all in one place – Brattleboro’s own Municipal Center hallways!

In 1936 George Aiken campaigned for Vermont Governor and also wrote a book entitled, " Pioneering with Fruits and Berries". Ninety years ago he was elected to office and also operated one of the largest plant nurseries in New England. This is the story...

Brattleboro's Little League began in the early 1950's. Larry Robinson played during the inaugural year of the league and remained involved in the development of youth baseball for many years. Here's the story...

In 1830 the E.A. Stearns & Co. Rule Manufactory began in Brattleboro. The owner would go on to become the President of Stanley Tools. Here's the story...

Charles Eddy was a local bottler of carbonated beverages and "Temperance" beer who found himself in court during Vt. Prohibition. By 1900 the company was the largest bottler in Vermont. The business was located on Flat St. With various owners, it continued to operate into the 1970's.

Vermont’s baseball history expert, Dana Sprague, has recently placed local highlights of his baseball artifact collection in the display case on the first floor of the Municipal Center. We hope you will find time to visit the display next to the Town Clerk’s Office. Here's the story...

In 1907 fifteen local women met to organize the Mutual Aid Association. It's goal was to help neighbors in need of support during times of medical challenges. This is their story...

For nearly two decades Belinda Lashway was a Brattleboro PD dispatcher. In this episode she shares stories of some of the intense moments with the job.

For more than 40 years Clara Antonetti was a major contributor to the local community. This is her story...

June, 1954 the Chamber of Commerce declared "Mel Ferrer Day". The actor visited town and helped raise money for a children's local mental health clinic. This is the story of how a Broadway actor had connections to Brattleboro...

In 1991 Nick Collins received "45 Year Service" pin from Brattleboro Ski Patrol Leader Ruth Lane. Nick would then regale the banquet with stories from the ski patrol's past. Here's some of what he had to say...

Ruth Lane joined the Brattleboro Ski Patrol in the 1950's and volunteered at local ski areas up until last year. A little while ago, she came into the Municipal Center and helped us create a Ski Patrol display. While she visited, we asked her a few questions...

Ruth Lane volunteered for the Brattleboro Ski Patrol in the 1950's and continued to volunteer at various local ski areas until she retired her skis in 2025. Here's her story...

The Clark family has donated many artifacts to the historical society. Their family lineage traces back to the Mayflower...Allerton Avenue is named after one of their ancestors...here's the story

In 1942 Torger Tokle was the first to retire the Winged Ski Trophy at the Brattleboro Outing Club Ski Tournament. Tokle would join the US Army and serve in the 10th Mountain Division. Many local skiers also joined the mountain fighting unit. This is the story...

After World War II there were millions of refugees displaced by the war. The subsequent scramble for control of Eastern Europe between the Soviet Union and the Allies brought about more upheaval. The Refugee Relief Act of 1953 gave some refugees a chance to come to the United States. Here's the story...

1920's New England Wrestling Champion George "Farmer" Bailey was also a successful horticulturalist who developed a new chrysanthemum and named it after his wife. He was also a hypnotist, Vaudeville, and circus performer! Here's the story of one of Brattleboro's most famous showmen!

Public School District Consolidation is a current issue. The Vermont Legislature has debated school consolidation for more than 150 years. Brattleboro's Vermont Governor Levi Fuller weighed in on the issue back in 1892...here's the story...

WTSA has recently changed hands, Dan Taylor began working for the local radio station more than 50 years ago. He recently retired...this is his story...

Vermont's roadside billboards were banned in the 1960's. It took 8 years to clear the Green Mountains of the advertising eyesores. We have a photo collection of local World War II billboards that were taken by Lewis R. Brown. Here's the story...

In the 1950's Florence Switzer was featured in two national publications as the taxi driver who was also a great-grandmother! Florence was born in Brattleboro in 1877 and retired from taxi service in 1951. She began her business in 1925. This is her story...

Brattleboro's New Year's Eve story is given a bit more context in this episode. Washington, D.C., Abraham Lincoln, Larkin Mead, Wells Fountain, Brooks Memorial Library, Westminster's Old Cemetery, and Sarah and Henry Willard are featured in the podcast. Happy New Year!

Zephyr Designs and the Clements family celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. Zephyr Renaud began the business in 1971...Robert Clement bought the business in 1975, when it was in the Van Doorn building on the southern end of Main Street. Twenty five years ago, the business moved to its present location in the Ryther Building, former home of Capt'n Bullfrog's Music Store. This is their story...

Before there were cars and trucks there were carriages and wagons. Brattleboro has a robust history featuring many manufacturers of these means of transportation. In fact, in the mid-1800's the largest maker of these items in the state of Vermont was located in Brattleboro.

The Creamery Bridge was built in 1879. There had been a bridge over Whetstone Brook in that location since 1810, and maybe even earlier. This episode shares some of the history of the bridge through the years.

Daniel Chester French created the bronze statue "Spirit of Life" in 1914. Ten years later, one of six or eight copies made by French was placed upon a Dummerston granite fountain at the southern end of Main Street, in the newly created Plaza Park. 100 years later the statue can be found in the Main Room of Brooks Memorial Library. Here's the complicated story of how the statue traveled from the southern end of Main Street to the northern end by way of a detour to Pennsylvania...

The history of local florist shop Taylor for Flowers goes back to the 1890's. This story traces the shop's history and shares some of the changes that have taken place over the past 130 years. The Unwin's have operated the shop since 1976.

In 1909 Harry Clark signed a contract with AG Spalding to provide ash stock to the sporting goods company. For more than 50 years Clark supplied the wood needed to make Spalding tennis rackets. He was also a community leader who convinced other businesses to settle in town. This is his story...

As Veterans Day approaches we focus on a story of family sacrifice and patriotism. Six brothers who volunteered to serve during World War II.

For more than 20 years, Hilltop Montessori middle school students have been investigating local stories of the past. Visits to the Brattleboro Historical Society and Brooks Memorial Library are part of the project. Students pursue their interests in real-world settings and create imaginative products that represent their learning and creativity. We are pleased to be part of their adventure!

In 1876 Brattleboro celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with 22 1/2 hours of various events. Most of the activity took place downtown and on the Common. Here's the story...

Mollie was on the Brattleboro Reformer editorial staff and wrote two columns for the paper that were often shared by the Bennington Banner and the Rutland Herald. Upon her retirement in 1938 it was said she had a regular southern Vermont readership of almost 50,000 followers. Here's her story...

Jacob Estey and John Carnahan were two Brattleboro leaders separated by more than 100 years, but with many qualities in common. Both worked to improve the social and civic life of the community. Here is a bit of their stories...

James Offutt was a World War 1 veteran who worked at the Vermont Wheel Club. His story, and many others, will be shared when we tour the Locust Ridge Cemetery and Morningside Cemetery during the next few weeks.

In the 1860's the highest paid newspaper columnist in the United States spent her summer vacations in Brattleboro. She worked for a New York City paper but, during the summer months, telegraphed her columns to the paper from Main Street's American House. Her pen name was Fanny Fern and she appreciated the natural beauty of this area. Here's the story...

Nighttime raids by government officials...neighbors unable to trust neighbors...residents split into opposing factions that result in shooting deaths on both sides...it's 1784 in southeastern Vermont and these are the Great Cow Wars!

This week's recording tells the story of hillside farming in the 1870's through the 1930's and reminds folks of the Hillside Farmers Club; a group that promoted NEIGHBORLINESS and worked to support its members.

Approximately 150 years ago the Dummerston Hill neighborhood, in northwest Brattleboro, consisted of hill farms and families who looked out for one another during challenging times. This is their story...

Electric Trolley Cars were a technological innovation that came to Brattleboro in 1895...by 1923 another technological innovation forced trolleys off the town's public roads; the automobile...here's the story

Controversy surrounded the arrival of the trolley. Vt. Governor, US House of Representatives member and famous author opposed the electric railroad; working class appreciated the convenience, cost and accessibility of the new technology...

This week we tell the story of Brattleboro's connection with the Battle of Bennington. Most soldiers from the area joined the local militia and the militia didn't arrive in Bennington until the battle was over. However, six Brattleboro soldiers joined Seth Warner's Battalion and five of them found themselves in the middle of the conflict with the British Empire on August 16, 1777.

Joel Bullard built this bridge in 1857. The wooden, covered bridge remained until 1895, when the selectmen voted to replace it with an iron bridge. The span was located where the concrete bridge near the intersection of Melrose St. and Western Avenue is now.

It was this week, 102 years ago, that Vermont's Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President of the United States...the Coolidge family, and Plymouth Notch, have a connection with Brattleboro's Estey Organ Company and this recording tells the story...

Summer is a time for relaxing with a good book. This week we recommend 4 local historical fiction books for your enjoyment.

Have you ever wondered about the cement foundations and island in the middle of the Retreat Meadows? This recording explains the origins of the cement structures and the man-made island. The recording was written by Brattleboro Historical Society President Lee Ha.

Jennie Melchen was accused of possessing one of the finest stills ever confiscated in Vermont. She was a refugee from the Russian Empire and one of the first immigrants to sail past the Statue of Liberty in NYC Harbor. Here's her story...

Tony Jones was a fighter pilot from Brattleboro who gave his life during World War II. He grew up on the corner of Putney Road and Bradley Avenue. His family operated the Jones Oil Company. At the time of his death, Tony was 25 years old and had hunted German bombers over enemy European territory for almost two years. This is his story...

John Ballard was working at Arthur F. Roberts’ houseware and paint store on Main Street when he received a draft notice telling him to report to Rutland, Vt. for medical examination by the Army. Here's his story...

The Brattleboro Historical Society will hold a ceremony in the small park between Wells Fountain and the courthouse at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 28th to introduce “Moments in Brattleboro History” markers. These local history markers will appear on signs and buildings throughout town. Each sign will be attached to a building or post and include a brief text explaining some of the history of that place. In addition, there will be a QR code on the sign that can be scanned with a phone. The QR code will connect the phone with a four to five minute audio-video clip designed to share historical images and stories of the location. The signs are the historical society’s latest attempt to share local history with the public. Each sign will be attached to a building or post and include a brief text explaining some of the history of that place. In addition, there will be a QR code on the sign that can be scanned with a phone.

In 1879 the Bushnell Block on Elliot Street began as a two and a half story wood frame house. In 1887 the size of the building was doubled and partially converted into a boarding house. In 1915 Jason Bushnell moved his grocery store into the building and continued to expand. Here's the story...