by Christopher Grotke | Mar 24, 2026 | History, Person
As the MacArthur family song says, in the summer of 1974 someone painted “Mary Shiminsky I Love You!” on the railroad overpass off from Putney Road heading to Chesterfield. The graffiti on the Boston and Maine railroad bridge inspired this song, a book of poetry, a...
by Christopher Grotke | Mar 24, 2026 | History, Person
Wednesday, June 21, 1905 was a bustling day in Brattleboro. Rumors were flying that a convicted killer would arrive by train for a federal hearing to determine whether the murderer should be executed on Friday, or allowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. There...
by Christopher Grotke | Mar 24, 2026 | History, Person
Mary Palmer Tyler was a trailblazer. In 1801 she moved with her young family to a farm on Meeting House Hill. Royall Tyler, her husband, had just inherited $3,000 and they chose to invest the money in a 150-acre farm owned by Micah Townsend. Prior to the monetary...
by Christopher Grotke | Mar 24, 2026 | History, Person
For many years there was a tradition at Brattleboro High School which included the reading of student essays during commencement ceremonies. All twelfth graders were expected to research and write an essay as part of their senior program. Top essays were chosen by...
by Christopher Grotke | Mar 24, 2026 | History, Person
Marion McCune Rice grew up in Brattleboro and attended the town’s public schools. After graduating from Brattleboro High School in 1900, she attended and graduated from Smith College. She then went on to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend Nursing School. In the...
