Indigenous People in the Connecticut River Valley
In 1985 archeologist Peter Thomas published research on Indigenous People who had been living in our area before Europeans arrived in the 1600’s. Thomas had been a participant in an archeological dig that took place near the Vernon Dam and, after much analysis, he published his findings. According to Thomas, the Indigenous People who lived...Continue reading→
The Best Musical Performance Ever Heard in Brattleboro (1898)
In 1898 Brattleboro hosted a concert in the town hall auditorium on Main Street. The concert was organized to raise funds for the Brattleboro Soldiers Aid Society. This organization existed to support the soldiers serving in the Spanish American War and planned to raise $1000 at the event.Continue reading→
Sallie Joy White (1847-1909)
On March 2, 1870 the Boston Post reporter Sallie Joy visited town and wrote “Brattleboro has had a fire and a flood, and now it has a Woman Suffrage Convention. I saw an old farmer yesterday with the inevitable blue woolen frock and cart whip snugly stowed under his arm, reading one of the posters...Continue reading→
Ruth Atkinson and the Trees BHS (1950’s)
A little over seventy years ago, UVM Professor Leon Dean offered a course in “Vermont History and Folklore”. The course was designed for local teachers and met for fifteen weeks. It was offered through the University of Vermont Extension Service. Teachers could earn two hours of college credit. People from the community were also able...Continue reading→
Mary Wilkins, famous author
In 1867, shortly after the Civil War, Mary Wilkins’ family moved to Brattleboro. She was 15 years old. Her family had left Randolph, Massachusetts because her father was in the building trades and New England was suffering through a recession after the war. Many of New England’s agricultural and factory jobs were moving west with...Continue reading→
Mary Wilkins and Mt. Wantastiquet (1925)
This week in Brattleboro history we will speak about the power of childhood memories and how they can have a lasting impact on people for the rest of their lives. In December, 1925 the famous author Mary Wilkins Freeman wrote to our local newspaper about her memories of growing up in Brattleboro. She was seventy...Continue reading→
Mary Shiminski and the MacArthurs (1974)
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 postcard and newspaper articles across the country wondering about...Continue reading→
Mary Rogers, Vt. execution and “Fake News” (1905)
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 had not been an execution in Vermont for thirteen years. ...Continue reading→
Mary Palmer Tyler, Vt. resident 1796-1866, Trailblazer
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 windfall, the Tyler’s had been living in...Continue reading→
Mary Howe and Florence Anderson 1880’s – 1950’s
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 faculty and their authors read the essays to the assembled audience at...Continue reading→
Marion McCune Rice and World War I (1914-1919)
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 early 1900’s there weren’t too many professions open to women. Popular options for single...Continue reading→
Lucy Terry Prince – Luce Bijah and justice (1724-1821)
This week in Brattleboro history we are going to tell you about Lucy Terry Prince, or Luce Bijah, as she called herself. She lived from 1724 to 1821. In a book called The Music of Black Americans it says Lucy Terry Prince was a significant contributor in the efforts to maintain a sense of Africa...Continue reading→