The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast

Follow The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Since its founding in 1982, the Brattleboro Historical Society has worked to shelter and share locally significant facts and artifacts so present and future generations can learn from the past.

Brattleboro Historical Society


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 6m AVG DURATION
    • 522 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast

    BHS e515-B.D. and Sarah Harris, and the Mormons 1851

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 7:58


    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...

    BHS e514-John Deere, Fred Holbrook and Plows

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 7:24


    The Plows of the Valleys are NOT the Plows of the Hills...in the 1800's Brattleboro's Fred Holbrook designed sidehill swivel plows that were popular in northern New England. Here's the story...

    BHS e513-Mary Donnell, Thompson Trust and Brattleboro Seamstresses

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 6:38


    Three generations of women owned and operated a millinery business in Brattleboro for over 75 years during the eighteen and nineteen hundreds. One of the women, Mary Donnell, also spent a great deal of time representing the interests of the seamstresses and female factory workers who were supposed to benefit from the Thompson Trust. Here's the story...

    BHS e512-Estey at War, 1942-1945

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 5:59


    In 1942 Estey Organ on Birge St. went into wartime production for the government. Ammo boxes, pontoon bridges and portable organs for chaplains in war zones were made at the complex. Employment went from 90 to 350 and one third of the employees were women. here's the story...

    BHS e511-Anthony Van Doorn and early furniture making

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 7:03


    Anthony Van Doorn came to Brattleboro in the early 1800's and became the largest furniture maker in Vermont. Pieces of his are on display in the Bennington Museum, Historic Deerfield Museum and the Brattleboro Historical Society. Here's his story...

    BHS e510-immigration and deportation 1880's-1920's

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 7:37


    Immigration and Deportation have both recently been in the news. The 1880's thru the 1920's saw major changes in these policies throughout the US and in Brattleboro. Here's the story...

    BHS e509- Ernest Gibson Jr. and the Irasburg Affair

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 5:58


    Ernest Gibson Jr. became governor in the 1940's and established the Vermont State Police. Twenty years later he found himself criticizing the organization he helped start. Here's the story...

    BHS e508-Oliver Willard, Fort Dummer and the Charter

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 5:32


    Brattleboro was chartered in 1753 but not organized as a town until 1761. This is the story of that process, and the first Brattleboro settler acknowledged by the New Hampshire government. His name was Oliver Willard. Here's the story...

    BHS e507-Bayard Grant and Berlin Airlift

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 8:21


    Bayard Grant was born in Brattleboro in 1916. He would go on to fulfill a vital military role during the Berlin Airlift in the late 1940's. He benefitted from the belief that furthering one's education could help the individual, and also contribute to the well-being of society. Here's his story...

    BHS e506 Dix O Dell and Harmony Lot 1953-1959

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 6:54


    It took six years for the Harmony Parking Lot to progress from an idea to a reality...that was too long for the Dix-O-Dell Red and White Super Market. Here's the story...

    BHS e505-Town Meetings 1781 and 1782

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 6:27


    In 2008 Walter Meyer donated handwritten minutes of four Brattleborough Town Meetings to the historical society. They date from 1781 and 1782. The minutes were recorded by Town Clerk Stephen Greenleaf. We summarize the actions of the freeholders in this recording...

    BHS e504-William French and Westminster 1775

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 7:06


    This week Westminster, Vt. commemorated the 250th anniversary of what became known as the “Westminster Massacre”. In 1775 two local men, William French and Daniel Houghton, were killed during a confrontation at the Westminster Courthouse between New York-leaning Tories and those who opposed the British/New York government. Here's the story...

    BHS Audio Tour-Bradshaws

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 4:37


    In 1823 the Bradshaw's rented a two floor wooden building on Main Street. The building was originally a harness shop, but the Bradshaw's had other ideas for the structure. They were the first African American family to settle in Brattleboro. Here's the story...

    BHS #503-Gardiner Chandler and Vt Statehood

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 6:39


    On March 4, 1791 Vermont officially joined the USA. Brattleboro's representative to the convention to ratify the US Constitution was from one of the most loyal Tory families in New England. Here's the story...

    BHS e502-Dairies and Milk Delivery

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 5:10


    Remember when dairy farms used to dot the Vermont countryside? Fifty years ago, there were almost 4000 Vermont farms milking cows. Now, the state has less than 500 dairy farms. Here in Windham County the numbers are similar. Thirty years ago, there were about 75 dairy farms in the southeastern corner of Vermont. Today there are less than 20. This week's story focuses on a few of the local dairies that operated in Brattleboro...

    BHS e501-Brattleboro Memories and Dunham Brothers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 5:48


    Brattleboro Historical Society is about to unveil a project to reach locals and visitors who are either in Brattleboro for a look or visiting via the BHS website. The project is titled “Memories of Brattleboro”. We are in the process of developing historic site markers for Brattleboro's historic properties. A brief description will include a QR code taking the viewer, if desired, to a more in-depth media presentation about the property. This recording shares info that will be available at the Hooker-Dunham building on the eastside of Main Street.

    BHS e500-Mary Howe and William Brattle's Borough Pageant 1912

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 5:49


    In 1912 soprano Mary Howe was the featured performer at the four day Brattleboro Pageant on Island Park. The Pageant was an historical review of Brattleboro's past. We thought this might be an appropriate topic for our 500th podcast of local history. These podcasts are an effort, on our part, to expand on our understandings of Brattleboro's past.

    BHS e499-Moving Pictures and Lillian Gish

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 6:05


    The first moving pictures to play in Brattleboro came to town in 1899. In 1921 the first major motion picture filmed in Vermont was shown in the Town Hall Auditorium. It starred Lillian Gish and was filmed north of here in the Connecticut River Valley. The movie was said to be "the greatest entertainment of its kind ever seen in Brattleboro.”

    BHS e498-Jim Fisk and a Middle School Rap

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 6:59


    This week is about Jim Fisk...the man who caused an economic panic known as "Black Friday". He was quite a wheeler-dealer and had several ties to Brattleboro. 7th grade BAMS students tell his story and rap about his impact on the country.

    BHS e497 Edward C. Crosby + Spheres of Usefulness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 6:34


    Edward C. Crosby was part of the 2nd generation of Crosby's to have a positive influence on Brattleboro. He was a prominent businessman who balanced his self-interests with the needs of the community. Here's his story...

    BHS e495 Clarina Howard Nichols song and story from BAMS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 5:30


    BAMS students rap and tell the story of local hero Clarina Irene Howard Nichols. She was a pragmatic, hands-on advocate for Women's Rights, the Abolition of Slavery, and the Temperance Movement. Throughout her life she campaigned for equal opportunity and the protection of the vulnerable. This is her story...

    BHS e496-Clarina Howard Nichols-A Name We Should Know! BAMS rap

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 2:22


    7th grade students created a rap about local hero Clarina Nichols with the help of artificial intelligence. This is their recording...

    BHS e494-Jimmy Carter in Brattleboro 1976

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 5:41


    Jimmy Carter visited Brattleboro in January of 1976. He was one of fifteen candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Here's the story...

    BHS e493-Elm Corners

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 5:56


    Elm Corners is located at the intersection of Maple and Guilford Streets. This is the history of this section of Brattleboro which used to be the southeastern boundary of Centreville village. The story goes back to the 1750's...

    BHS e492-Toad Hill and Wells Fountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 6:20


    In the 1980's a concerted community effort led to the creation of Wells Fountain Park in the area of town that used to be known as Toad Hill. This is the story...

    BHS e491-Larkin Mead, Artist

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 5:38


    Larkin Mead was a world-renowned sculptor with many pieces on display in museums across the country. Locally he is remembered for his Recording Angel, Ceres-the Goddess of Agriculture atop the Vt. Capitol Building, statues of Ethan Allen and Abraham Lincoln. Here's the rest of his story...

    BHS e490-Burnham Foundry and Silver Spoon

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 4:55


    A pre-1835 silver spoon was recently donated to the historical society. It was made by local silversmith John Burnham. Here's the story of how the 200 year old spoon made its way to our collection...

    BHS e489-Joe Spano and Motorcycle Interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 10:10


    This week we feature an interview with local 80 year old motorcyclist Joe Spano. Joe visited Brattleboro Area Middle School last week and shared his experiences with the local history class.

    motorcycle joe spano
    BHS e488-1910 Railroad Strike

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 6:18


    In late July, 1910, Brattleboro was in the middle of a railroad strike. The town was at a standstill and financial tensions filled the air. There were about 20 trains that stopped here on a daily basis. At the time, most industries in Brattleboro shipped their goods by rail, and passenger transport along the lines was also a preferred way to get from one town to another. Here's the story...

    BHS e487-Gene Ferriter and the Bridge Street Crossing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 5:48


    Gene Ferriter was the train depot gatekeeper for 57 years. He saw many changes during his time with the railroad. Here's a bit of his story...

    BHS e486-Daylight Savings and World War I

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 6:46


    Daylight Savings Time first came to the United States during World War I. This recording shares how Brattleboro dealt with the shift in time...

    BHS e485-History of the Vt. Creemee

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 5:03


    The creemee first arrived in Vt. in 1951. The first creemee stand in this area was in Dummerston, next to Dutton Pines State Park in 1952. Brattleboro's first stand was the Freeze King Creemee Drive In on Canal Street, built in 1953. In 1955 it became the Hillside Dairy Freeze. Here's the story...

    BHS e484-Stephen R. Bradley: Star Spangled Banner and the 12th Amendment

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 6:33


    Stephen R. Bradley, from Westminster, was one of Vermont's first US Senators. In fact, he was on the negotiation team that sealed the deal with New York and the United States, and brought Vermont into the Union. As Senator he put forth the bill which created the Flag Act of 1794. This law placed 15 stars and stripes on the US flag. He also proposed the 12th amendment to the Constitution, which modified how Presidents and Vice-Presidents were chosen.

    BHS e483-Stephen R. Bradley: Vermont joins the Union

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 7:52


    Stephen R. Bradley was very influential in the negotiations between Vermont, New York and the U.S. government when Vermont requested to join the United States. This recording tells the story of Bradley's involvement in the judicial, military, and political aspects of the negotiations.

    BHS e482- Stephen R. Bradley Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 6:06


    Stephen R. Bradley was instrumental in winning recognition of Vermont by the newly established United States of America. This is a story of his early experiences in Vermont.

    BHS e481-Four Significant Estey Organ Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 6:32


    This recording marks the tenth year of BAMS students' collaboration with the historical society in the production of these local history recordings. For a span of approximately 100 years the Estey Company built over 500,000 reed organs and 3,000 pipe organs. The Estey Organ Company is said to have been the largest, and longest lasting, reed organ company in the world. This recording focuses on four employees who made great contributions to the success of the company.

    BHS e480-Discoveries: Foot Warmers and Scales

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 6:53


    Our artifact collection continues to generate stories from the past...Here are two tales researched and told by BHS President Lee Ha...a doctor's scale and an 1830's foot warmer used at church

    BHS e479-A Doctor's Tale...Edward R. Lynch

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 5:55


    Carol Farrington shares information about the life of Dr. Edward R. Lynch, founder of Melrose Hospital in West Brattleboro, which operated from 1907 until the Doctor's death in 1930...

    BHS e478-EsteyFest '24 and Walking Tour

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 5:57


    In the next few weeks the Brattleboro Historical Society and Estey Organ Museum will offer many opportunities to explore the history of the Estey Organ Company AND experience various free performances featuring Estey reed organs. Here's the story..

    BHS e477-Mary Rogers' Suffrage Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 5:35


    Mary Rogers was likely a child of an enslaved family. She became a housekeeper and may have been the first woman of color in Brattleboro to vote for President in the 1920 election. Here's her story...

    BHS e476-Mary Lou Williams-Jazz Innovator, Political Activist

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 5:59


    In 1944 pianist Mary Lou Williams did something that had never been done before. She headlined an integrated traveling musical revue that toured the country to advocate for a particular Presidential candidate. In the 1940's most stage and concert performances were segregated. However, this multi-racial revue featured a mixture of musical styles. Woody Guthrie was one of the featured performers. Here's the story...

    BHS e475-Benjamin Hall and Early Vermont History

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 5:55


    At the young age of 22 Benjamin Hall began compiling early Vt history from the eastern side of the state. In the mid-1800's most Vt history books focused on the western side of the Green Mountains. Benjamin Hall fixed that problem. Here's the story...

    BHS e474-1924 Ku Klux Klan in Vermont

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 9:18


    Superior Court Justice Harrie B. Chase sentenced Klan members to the Windsor State Prison 100 years ago as the KKK attempted to establish a foothold in the Green Mountains. This was a time when bigotry and racism were openly promoted by some Vermonters. Here's the story...

    BHS e473-Roger Haydock and the 1968 Democratic Convention

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 6:39


    In 1968 a young Roger Haydock hitchhiked to Chicago to protest at the Democratic National Convention. Here's his story...

    BHS e472-Ladies Enterprise Society Bandstand

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 6:19


    The Ladies Enterprise Society bandstand, built in 1914, is a tangible artifact of the organization's commitment to the Esteyville neighborhood. The Society provided baskets of food, meals, and child care for families experiencing sickness or injury. The organization also donated to many local agencies like Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Reformer Christmas Stocking. Band and, later, the First Regiment Band. Society chairs, tables, utensils, cups and other supplies were stored under the bandstand for these gatherings. Here's the story...

    BHS e471-A L Root Transportation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 9:06


    Brattleboro Historical Society Trustee Peter Root recently shared memories of his father's local trucking company. He spoke about growing up in Brattleboro in the 1940's and 50's and how the company changed with the times...

    BHS e470-Putney Folk Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 9:36


    In 1973 Ry Cooder played at Windham College. The concert was one of many arranged by Putney Folk. This is the story of two of the main forces behind Putney Folk and how their careers led to many accolades, including an Oscar...

    BHS e469-Putney Folk, Misty Meadows and the Olson's

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 7:29


    Nancy and Victor Olson remember the 1970's and the music created at Misty Meadows Farm...

    BHS e468-Green Mt. Boys, Windham College & Putney Folk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 9:31


    An early version of local musicians, The Stockwells, began in the 1970's as The Green Mountain Boys. Here's how they started, and found themselves playing with many accomplished performers at Windham College. Putney Folk, the promoters of several performances, is also discussed in this recording...

    BHS e467-Esteyville Bandstand at Fuller Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 6:54


    One hundred and ten years ago the Esteyville neighborhood bandstand at Fuller Park was dedicated in a ceremony organized by the Ladies Enterprise Society. An audience of 500 attended the dedication and listened to the inaugural band concert. The future of the bandstand will be discussed in the coming weeks. This recording shares some of the bandstand's history...

    BHS e466-Clif Taylor and Short Ski Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 6:23


    In 1955 Clif Taylor moved with his young family to Brattleboro. He became President of the Outing Club and offered ski lessons at Living Memorial Park. He began experimenting with shorter skis to speed up the learning process for beginning skiers. In 1961 the Stephen Greene Press published Instant Skiing, a how-to book for learning to ski with short skis. Here's the story...

    Claim The Brattleboro Historical Society Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel