Welcome to the Brattleboro Historical Society

There’s Always Something Happening in History

Do you look at the Retreat Meadows and say, “why is that pond called “Meadows?” Do you drive along Canal Street and think, “where’s the canal?” Do you ever think to yourself, “has anyone ever looked into these perplexing questions?”

We have good news: the answer to your final question is, “yes.” And the answer to all your other questions can be found in the Brattleboro Historical Society Newsletter.

How do you get this fantastic source of knowledge nuggets timely updates from the Brattleboro Historical Society? Join us!

BHS in Action!

Watch this short video introduction to the Brattleboro Historical Society

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.

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

Updates on the doings of the Brattleboro Historical Society.

B. D. and Sarah Harris, and the Mormons 1851

B. D. and Sarah Harris, and the Mormons 1851

Sarah Harris wrote about her honeymoon experiences among the Mormons in 1851. This recording explains how the Brattleboro newlyweds found themselves in multiple life-threatening situations in the days of the Wild West...image of Sarah's husband, B.D. Harris click...

read more

Feature Exhibits

Harris Hill

Harris Hill

In the beginning, the hill was 740 feet long. The landing space was 250 feet with a drop from the top to bottom of 284 feet. It was a big hill and it would get bigger.

Madame Sherri

Madame Sherri

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.

H.P. Lovecraft

H.P. Lovecraft

HP LOVECRAFT & ROUND MOUNTAINH.P. Lovecraft & Round Mountain: West BrattleboroHoward Philips Lovecraft (1890 - 1937), was an American writer who achieved posthumous fame through his influential works of horror fiction. He was virtually unknown and published...

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!