News & Events - 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, Brattleboro’s first African-American family was located in the 18th Century. Digital Extras The Bradshaw family SoundCloud audio file Moments in Brattleboro Vermont History YouTube presentations

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 unveiling of the first marker. Here John Clements of Zephyr Design prepares the sign for his building – where the home of the Bradshaw family, Brattleboro’s first African-American family was located in the 18th Century. Moments in Brattleboro History (video files) https://youtube.com/@momentsinbratthistory?si=hyMCr5NpRmA-pIkt The Bradshaws (audio file) https://on.soundcloud.com/4PJoGdDjMhmG12dLA

Brattleboro Historical Society Founder John Carnahan Final Interview

Brattleboro Historical Society founder, John Carnahan has passed. We interviewed John in August of 2022 at his home. We think the is the last recorded interview with John. It’s about 35 minutes long. Throughout the interview John’s intelligence, thoughtfulness, humility, and love of Brattleboro are evident. If you did not know John, we think you will like and respect him. Reggie Martell , also recently passed, filmed and produced the video . BHS interview August 22, 2022 https://youtu.be/YvE4e9wD-cQ?si=O2h1E4HHL7VouCUP

BHS at The Local Historical Societies and Museums Conference May 9 2025

Juneteenth

Making a Correction Two years ago, on June 19th, 2022, three young people honored seventeen African American soldiers who represented Brattleboro during the Civil War. The town installed a corrective plaque next to the Civil War Soldier’s Monument on the Common. A ceremony was held to acknowledge those who served during the war and were not recognized at the original monument ceremony in 1887. What follows is a recording of excerpts from the 2022 ceremony and an additional bit of information shared by students from this year’s BAMS 8th grade. Juneteenth is a federal holiday established in 2021. ] BrattHistoricalSoc · BHS e465-Juneteenth 2022 Civil War Soldier’s Monument

Brattleboro Historical Society Annual Meeting 2023

ANNUAL 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 at the Estey Organ Complex and ”EsteyFest” 2024 is coming to Brattleboro! What is that all about? BHS Research Room will be open so you can enjoy photos of Estey buildings, workers and family, numerous pieces of ephemera, books and even play an Estey organ! Volunteers will be happy to answer questions. Join us for refreshments and an enlightening, local history afternoon! Presented by Dennis Waring, president of the Estey Organ Museum Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1 pm 230 Main Street Municipal Center, 3rd floor

Brattleboro: Pages In Time

The Brattleboro Historical Society has scanned the book “Brattleboro: Pages In Time” by Wayne Carhart. This was a book published by the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce for their 100th anniversary and is a collection of “betchya didn’t know” essays about the unique Brattleboro, Vermont community. View Brattleboro: Pages in Time at archive.org.

Saturday, October 22 – Tour of the Old West River Railroad

Take a ride on the West River Railroad! Actually, along the route of the West River Railroad! Glenn Annis will lead this tour of the West River Railroad’s 36-mile route from Brattleboro to South Londonderry, sharing the Railroads history, while seeing first-hand the vestiges of the old railroad line along the way. Participants will board the bus by Newfane Common at 9:30 a.m. The group will head to Brattleboro and then up the West River Valley to South Londonderry, the terminus of the West River Railroad line. The bus will return to Newfane to the West River Railroad Museum where a bagged lunch will be served. Glenn Annis is an authority on the West River Railroad and will point out landmarks, historic buildings, structures and other features that still exist along the 36-mile route, as well the location of others that have disappeared over the years. Cost: $25.00 (Lunch included) Space is limited! (First come-First […]

Riverfest

Riverfest August 6, 2022 The town of Brattleboro exists within the Connecticut River watershed. The West River and Whetstone Brook feed into the Connecticut and, together, they have supported communities of people for centuries. As part of the Connecticut River Conservancy’s “Riverfest”, on Saturday, August 6 the Historical Society set up a tent and shared historical stories with the public. Ten years ago the space at the junction of Depot and Bridge streets, bordering the Connecticut River, was transformed into a small park. The park is a happy result of community efforts to refurbish and reimagine the railroad station area that have their origins going all the way back to the 1970’s. The Vernon Historians were also in attendance and we had a fun time together sharing stories of the Connecticut River Valley. Our Society had a tent featuring a media presentation of historical photos of the river. Images of Island Park, Fort Dummer, boating, […]

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 BAMS and BUHS, and members of the public. Here is the text of Mr. Hamilton’s talk: “Good Afternoon. I was born in Brattleboro in September, 1922. I grew up on the family farm on Hamilton Road in West Brattleboro. We had cows and grew corn and hay to feed them. We also had vegetable gardens and apple, pear and peach trees. I had one sister and three brothers. My sister and a brother were older than me and two brothers were younger. We lived in a multi-generational household. In the home were our family of seven. My father’s parents, one […]

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

Plaque to correct Civil War record in Brattleboro

After eye-opening research from three local students and their teacher, the town will purchase and install a new plaque to recognize the number of Vermonters who served during the Civil War but were left out of official recognition on a monument because of racism and classism of the time. Read Full Article at Reformer.com