Telling The story
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. Join us!
A Look Inside the archive
Lee Ha started scanning the historical society’s negative collection in 2014 when the BHS board of trustees approved purchasing a negative scanner.
That first day she scanned 20 images, not seen since they had been developed some 60 years prior, thus beginning the massive scanning project.
The project continued and new volunteers have taken over the process.
Today the digital archive includes approximately 10,000 photos, most are not online, but we endeavor to upload as many as we can. Click yonder button and see how things are progressing.
Old News & New Notes
Stories from Brattleboro history that you may have missed the first time.
George Bemis and the Phone Message
Intro In the General Store...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...
Updates on the doings of the Brattleboro Historical Society.
Sale Items
The BHS has items for sale. We have been asked, “Like what?”Here’s a partial list: Brattleboro Manning Street directories American Optical bound newsletters Pamphlets, magazines, ephemera Instant ancestors Misc. books about VT or surrounding towns With Interest...
Feature Exhibits
Development and Indigenous Burials
In 1922 the business community was pretty excited. Companies along Vernon Road were having a great deal of success. The White River Chair Company, Crosby Milling and Fort Dummer Cotton Mill had all settled into the southeast corner of town and caused a housing boom....
Brattleboro’s burgeoning ski industry
Brattleboro's Burgeoning Ski IndustryIn 1935 Brattleboro was well-known in the burgeoning New England skiing community. The annual Brattleboro Outing Club ski jump attracted thousands of people to the area every year. New Englanders came to Brattleboro all winter to...
Brooks House
In November 1869 the St. Albans Weekly Messenger reported on the status of Brattleboro, a town that was about as far away from St. Albans as you could get and still be in Vermont. The paper was commenting on Brattleboro’s recent hard times. In October, a Whetstone Brook freshet had wiped out many of the businesses along the brook and in early November a fire had destroyed all of the businesses on the west side of Main Street between Elliot and High Streets.
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!