Telling The story
Brattleboro Historical Society was founded in 1982 as a non-profit organization by a group of local historians and civic leaders interested in Brattleboro’s past. The Society’s mission is to collect and preserve historical artifacts, documents, photographs, and data of persons, places, and events significant to Brattleboro from its earliest days to the present, and to disseminate Brattleboro’s history through research, exhibits, and interpretation of the collection for the education and enjoyment of the community. Join us!
A Look Inside the archive
Lee Ha started scanning the historical society’s negative collection in 2014 when the BHS board of trustees approved purchasing a negative scanner.
That first day she scanned 20 images, not seen since they had been developed some 60 years prior, thus beginning the massive scanning project.
The project continued and new volunteers have taken over the process.
Today the digital archive includes approximately 10,000 photos, most are not online, but we endeavor to upload as many as we can. Click yonder button and see how things are progressing.
Old News & New Notes
Stories from Brattleboro history that you may have missed the first time.
George Bemis and the Phone Message for Coolidge
In 1954 George Bemis became the owner and manager of Hotel Brooks. In 1976 he was honored as the Chamber of Commerce’s Man of the Year. During his time in town he was a big supporter of the Brattleboro Outing Club. At the dinner, held at Dalem’s Chalet, Bemis...
Updates on the doings of the Brattleboro Historical Society.
Unveiling Moments in Brattleboro History
The Brattleboro Historical Society will unveil its historic markers project at a ceremony behind the Wells Fountain at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Here John Clements of Zephyr Design prepares the sign for his building - where the home of the Bradshaw family,...
Feature Exhibits
Unveiling Moments in Brattleboro History
The Brattleboro Historical Society will unveil its historic markers project at a ceremony behind the Wells Fountain at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The project is titled ‘Moments in Brattleboro History.' The public is welcome to join the Historical Society’s...
Clarina Howard Nichols
Clarina Howard Nichols – Townsend and Brattleboro Clarina Howard Nichols (1810 – 1885) was an advocate for human rights. Born in Townsend, VT she went on to become the publisher of the Windham County Democrat newspaper in Brattleboro, where she expanded coverage to...
History Bits
1958 Vermont’s oldest bank and its largest commercial bank merged to become the Vermont National and Savings Bank. The banks which merged were the Vermont Savings Bank, the oldest savings bank which was organized in 1846, and the Vermont Peoples National Bank of...
Membership
Join Us
Brattleboro Historical Society was founded in 1982 as a non-profit organization by a group of local historians and civic leaders interested in Brattleboro’s past. The Society’s mission is the telling of Brattleboro's story. Join us!