Samuel Wells and British Spies in the Revolution
This week we tell the story of an early local Brattleborough resident who was described by the United States Congress as a “perfidious man”. In 1730 Samuel Wells was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts. That’s about 25 miles south of here. He was a tavern keeper in Deerfield and also served in the Massachusetts militia during...Continue reading→
Samuel Gale (1775)
This week in Brattleboro History the topic will be freedom of the press versus the needs of government. In 1776 British born Samuel Gale was living under house arrest in New York City. He had been held in jail in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York for a year and a half because of his...Continue reading→
Gardiner Chandler and the Birth of Vermont.
On March 4, 1791 Vermont officially became the 14th state. How did that happen? There were a few steps involved before Vermont could join the United States. First, New York laid claim to Vermont and opposed Vermont’s petition to join the union. Westminster’s Stephen R. Bradley was one of six negotiators who met with New...Continue reading→
Compiled Obituaries – A
Here is a notebook of over 100 pages of Brattleboro Obituaries with names ending in “A” (Vol A) It’s available to view at archive.org.
ADDRESSES by Mrs. Levi K. Fuller
The Brattleboro Historical Society has scanned a copy of ADDRESSES by Mrs. Levi K. Fuller, a collection of talks given before the Brattleboro Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, available at archive.org.
McNeill’s Brewery
BHS believes the building that became McNeill’s was constructed in 1892 and originally served as one of the fire stations on Elliot Street. The 1892 structure was a replacement for the fire station that had been there previously. McNeill’s moved into the building in 1990 and began brewing beer in January 1991. Ray McNeill Ray...Continue reading→
John Holbrook – How The River Built Brattleboro Village
Frugality, thrift and free enterprise were some of the watchwords that marked the beginning years of the United States. Locally, John Holbrook personified these traits and was instrumental in the early development of Brattleboro’s economy. Holbrook was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts In 1761, a town a little south of Boston. His family was loyal to...Continue reading→
Richard Hamilton Speaks At Memorial Day Remembrance
On May 27, 2022 Richard Hamilton, a 1940 graduate of Brattleboro High School, spoke to an audience of more than 400 people on the front lawn of BUHS. He shared stories of growing up in West Brattleboro and attending public schools. This was part of a Memorial Day Remembrance that included students and staff from...Continue reading→
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 explained his claim to fame happened...Continue reading→
Torger Tokle – The Babe Ruth of Ski Jumping
In February 1942 Torger Tokle retired the famed Harris Hill Winged Trophy for the first time by winning the Harris Hill ski jump three years in a row. Torger Tokle was a Ski Jumper originally from Norway who had emigrated to the United States. His nickname was “the Babe Ruth of ski jumping”. He won...Continue reading→
John & Mary Carnahan Honored at Vermont Statehouse
On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, on the steps of the Vermont Capitol, John & Mary Carnahan were recognized by the Vermont Senate & House of Representatives for their many civic contributions to the Brattleboro community. Watch a video of the presentation at: https://youtu.be/ABvRSpyAxVY?si=hhblf3kdtsd326TD
Madame Sherri’s Castle Ruins
Across the river from north Brattleboro, in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, a trail winds through the Madame Sherri Forest to a set of ghostly stone stairs—the ruins of Madame Sherri’s castle, an estate whose former glory was lost to fire in 1962.Continue reading→