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.

John & Mary Carnahan

John & Mary Carnahan

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. MembershipJoin UsBrattleboro Historical...

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Feature Exhibits

Wells Fountain

Wells Fountain

The IconWells Fountain, one of Brattleboro’s best-loved landmarks, stand proudly on the northern edge of its downtown shopping district. Designed in 1890 by Brattleboro architect William Rutherford Mead (cousin to President Rutherford B. Hayes) and funded by William...

Jody Williams

Jody Williams

Nobel Laureate Jody Williams Who is Jody Williams? Jody Williams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for founding and leading the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, an unprecedented cooperative effort that brought governments, United Nations bodies, the...

History Bits

History Bits

1958 Vermont’s oldest bank and its largest commercial bank merged to become the Vermont National and Savings Bank. The banks which merged were the Vermont Savings Bank, the oldest savings bank which was organized in 1846, and the Vermont Peoples National Bank of...

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!