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.

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Updates on the doings of the Brattleboro Historical Society.

Sale Items

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...

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Feature Exhibits

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...

Clarina Howard Nichols

Clarina Howard Nichols

Clarina Howard Nichols - Townsend and BrattleboroClarina Howard Nichols (1810 - 1885) was an advocate for human rights. Born in Townsend, VT she went on to become the publisher of the Windham County Democrat newspaper in Brattleboro, where she expanded coverage to...

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!