The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast
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The last major solar eclipse to pass over Brattleboro occurred in 1932. Radio was still a fairly new technology and scientists studied the impact of a solar eclipse on commercial radio signals. The press called this the first "spectator eclipse" as many people traveled to see the rare, natural phenomenon. Here is the story...
Carrie Balestier and Rudyard Kipling were married and moved to Vermont in 1892. They would remain in the Brattleboro area until a family feud caused them to move to England in 1896. Local historian Mary Cabot was a family friend and wrote about what caused them to leave...here's the story (portrait of Carrie Balestier Kipling)
Caroline Balestier, a young woman from Brattleboro, married world-famous author Rudyard Kipling in January, 1892 while both were in London, England. The wedding took place during a flu epidemic that was sweeping through England at the time. This is the story of how Carrie and Kipling met and chose to settle in Brattleboro.
This week’s vocabulary word is hyperbole. In 1893 Daniel Griggs declared Brattleboro “The Best Place on Earth”. Griggs was half of a business partnership that produced a promotional real estate booklet claiming the town was “full of beauty, health and goodness.” Here's the story...
In 1961 Brattleboro switched to Representative Town Meeting. 177 candidates filed petitions to become one of the 105 Representative Town Meeting members. There was a robust vote and the Representatives were chosen. The meeting took place in the high school gym. In this episode reasons for the 1961 government switch are offered. This year there are 35 candidates running for the 62 open Representative Town Meeting seats.
Warren Pease recently celebrated his 90th birthday. For much of his life he worked at the Retreat Farm. The Historical Society interviewed Warren about his farm experience. Here is a summary of the interview...
The wood fiber/polymer material known as Texon was developed in Brattleboro by DuPont in the 1930's. It is presently used in many products that include footwear, athletic wear and protective gear. Here's the story...
The Willard family is very connected to the history of Fort Dummer. This podcast follows four generations of Willards, from the mouth of the Connecticut River in the 1600's to Fort #4 in the 1700's.
The first African American family burial plot in Brattleboro was purchased in 1859 by Francis (Frank) Green. The plot is located in the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Frank Green moved to Brattleboro in the mid-1830’s. Here is the story...
In 1976 Walt Harrington led an archaeological dig on the Fort Dummer site along the Connecticut River. This is the story...
In December 1723 the colony of Massachusetts decided to build a fort on the northern frontier of their colony to protect settlements along the Connecticut River Valley and establish trade arrangements with the Natives. Alliances between Europeans and Native Americans shifted with changing circumstances. Here's the story...
In 1803 John Gore was born in Halifax, Vermont. He moved to Brattleboro and opened a blacksmith shop with his brothers. He also became very involved in the design and construction of steam boilers and engines. His mechanical genius became well known to many. Here's his story...
In 1939 the Wizard of Oz played at the newly opened Latchis Memorial Theatre. As part of the movie promotion, the original Munchkin Land Carriage from the movie set was on display during a parade featuring local youngsters dressed as the movie characters. This is the story...
In 1824 Stephen Greenleaf wrote a description of Brattleborough for Zadock Thompson's Vermont Gazetteer. The 200 year old overview of town is shared in this podcast...
Sixty years ago the Puerto Rican Little League champions played in Brattleboro as part of the New England Little League Championship. Enrique Rivera was the 2nd baseman for the team. Recently he visited the Little League field on South Main St to help remember the experience...
Bob Cornellier joined the BHS Trustees in 2020. He has made many contributions to the Society. These contributions include images from far below the water's surface and high above the tallest structure in our community.
In 1958 the Creamery Bridge was decorated for the holidays by the Lions Club. The lights remained on until Winter Carnival. This was a tradition for many years.
Barrows Mussey moved to the Brattleboro area in the 1930's. He wrote many stories with local historical connections. He also translated Mein Kampf for a NYC publisher and wrote many textbooks for magicians. Here's his story...
In 1971 snow began to fall late on Thanksgiving Eve. The National Weather Service had anticipated light precipitation in the Brattleboro area. However, a Nor’easter arrived instead of light snow and the town plows were on the road by 4 am Thanksgiving morning. They ran continuously for the next twenty hours as fifteen inches of snow fell in Brattleboro. Here's the story...
Between the 1850’s and the 1950’s Brattleboro’s Estey Organ Company built more than 500,000 reed organs. Jacob Estey, founder of the business, could not play an instrument, but was instrumental in the development of American musical tastes. This is the story of how it all began...
In the late 1800's French Canadian immigrant Frank Curtis invented a machine that could automatically make screws. He and his sons would go on to refine the machining components and further develop his invention. Eventually, the machining platform developed by Curtis would be used to create products for a variety of industries. Today, many vehicles around the world contain Curtis-manufactured parts. The image shows the original Curtis Mill in West Brattleboro. Here's the story...
From 1974-1981 the Chelsea House Cafe and Folklore Center operated in an old barn in West Brattleboro. Philadelphia transplants Carol Levin and Bill Gehman began the non-profit organization and brought Folk and Traditional Music performers from all over the world to the area.
Thomas Akeley moved to Vermont in 1776. He had already fought against the British at Lexington the year before. He would make contributions to the war effort while living here as well. This is his story...
In the 1800's there was a civically-minded trend to beautify town graveyards. This podcast shares how the Village Burying Ground became the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Prominent residents led a movement to create a resting space for the living and the dead...
In 1824 there was a woolen mill at the end of Birge Street. By the 1880’s Henry Fletcher had converted the old woolen mill into a sawmill. The sawmill continued to operate under various owners until 1953. An investigation into the site is happening now to get a better understanding of what life was like for the mill workers. Here's the story...
The portrait was prominently displayed in the Reading Room of the old Brattleboro Library for more than 50 years. Colonel Tyler was only 21 years old when he died from wounds sustained at the Battle of the Wilderness. The surviving men of his Regiment asked that his portrait remain on display to remind the community of the service, sacrifice and faithfulness demonstrated by those who gave their lives in the war. Here's the story...
Esteyville was a town within a town. Two stores had most everything one needed. There was a neighborhood school, a church, Fuller Park and the bandstand. This little community was held together and enhanced by the Ladies Enterprise Society. Here's the story...
In 1924 four young people joined an after school club at Brattleboro High School. They would go on to win the state debate championship at UVM in 1925. We wanted to know what happened to them after high school. Here's their stories...
Robert Gordon Hardie, Jr. came into the world in 1854 - the son of Major Robert Gordon Hardie, Sr. and Frances Whiting Hyde. He would go on to become a portrait painter and rise to fame in the art world. He grew up on Canal Street but traveled the world in pursuit of his art. Here's his story...
Josh is the creator of the Instagram page "Landmarks of Brattleboro". It is an excellent source for images, and the history, of various locations in the area. This episode explores Josh's connections with Brattleboro...
