About

 

 

Brattleboro Historical Society

[email protected]
802-258-4957

Research Room

230 Main Street
Municipal Center, 3rd floor

Hours:
Thursday, 2 – 4 PM
Saturday, 10 – noon
Other hours by appointment

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.

Over the years, the Society has acquired approximately 50 organs manufactured by the Estey Organ Company. Information about the company and the individuals who built the industry is available at the Society.

The Society has bound volumes of local newspapers dating from 1833 to 1981 including the Daily Evening Times, the semi-weekly Eagle, the Vermont Phoenix, the Windham County Reformer, and the Brattleboro Reformer.

The Society possesses an outstanding collection of over 4,000 photographs, some dating back to the mid-19th century and the early days of photography. These images capture valuable historical moments and speak to us in a manner more powerful than words alone can convey. In addition to encapsulating the photos in protective mylar sleeves, the Society has embarked on a program of digital imaging the collection for storage in the computer, thereby providing efficient and safe access to photos without disturbing the original prints.

Research Room

The Brattleboro Historical Society Research Room is located on the third floor of the Municipal Center.

BHS has been in this historical location since 1988. The Victorian Gothic edifice with a mansard roof at the north end of Main Street was constructed in 1883 and served as the Brattleboro High School until 1951. The Society has preserved the last remaining classroom as its History Room.

Artifacts

The Research Room has Brattleboro research and reference material, administrative space, and some local artifacts. Historic Brattleboro photos, letters, posters, maps, records, newspapers, postcards, business records, and other items are part of the collections.
There is elevator access at the rear entrance. The Municipal Center is located at 230 Main Street, next to the Brooks Memorial Library.

Records

Photos

Physical Archives

Fascinating photos arranged thematically with detailed research which is well written!

 

– Lauren Tucker

A great source of historical information about Brattleboro Vermont. Books, articles, photos, slides, maps, prints.

 

– Bob Cornellier

Good to take a trip, though, down Memory Lane, and to see what it was also like back when my mom and grandmother were growing up in B-boro, the small town with a big history.

 

– David Bozetarnik

I currently live in NC. But was brought up around Brattleboro, Hinsdale area. Awesome job with the pictures. It brings back memories.

 

– Scott Aplin

Special Events

12 Feb 2019

Brattleboro: The Defining Decades 1870-1920, event at the River Garden

This exhibit showcases Brattleboro from 1870–1920’s when the Main Street we recognize today began to take shape; industry and commerce expanded and arts and culture began to flourish. 

John Carnahan discusses the origins on the Brattleboro Historical Society

The Latest…

We add new content almost daily. Check back here to see it all bundled up nicely.

A History of Brattleboro’s Libraries

Brattleboro'sLibraries1842 to Present1842 Brattleboro Library AssociationSince 1842 Brattleboro readers have been privileged to borrow books: first, from its early Brattleboro Library Association and 40 years later, when the shareholders offered the books to the town,...

Annual Meeting 2023

Brattleboro Historical SocietyAnnual Meeting2023Annual Talk ''The Extraordinary Mr. Estey: A Celebration"Local author Dennis Waring, Manufacturing the Muse, will fill us in on what made Jacob Estey so extraordinary, the possibility of EOM and BHS under the same roof...

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!