In this episode, Town Manager John Potter covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meetings held on April 16 and April 25, and previews an upcoming regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 7. Show notes — April 16 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch April 25: Meeting Material, Watch Provide input about the Solid Waste Program Join us at the Town's first-e…

200 years ago Daniel Webster was a strong advocate for keeping the United States together during tumultuous times. He also had some connections with Brattleboro...here's the story...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

From 1837 to 1950 Brattleboro operated a Town Farm to provide support for those who could not financially take care of themselves. This is the story...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

BAMS students interviewed Ben Robb of Robb Family Farm concerning this year's sugaring season. The Robb's have been sugaring on Ames Hill in West Brattleboro for four generations. It was a wide-ranging interview touching upon the polar vortex, the Canadian Maple Federation, changing taste palates, evolving technology and predicted long term trends …

Irah D. Spaulding was 19 when he earned his pilot's license in 1912. Irah grew up on Elliot Street. He was the first person to fly an exhibition biplane at the Valley Fairgrounds. He served in World War I and continued flying experimental planes for the Navy after the war. Injuries caused him to leave the military in 1922. He would later have an in…

This episode covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meeting held on April 2, 2024 and previews an upcoming regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 as well as a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 25. Show notes — April 2 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch Summer Day Camp registrations are open now. The Planning Department is holding an …

Pleasant Valley Reservoir is a vital piece of the Brattleboro water system. Here's the story of its 1909 construction and how Italian workers were involved in many of the major infrastructure projects of the time...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meeting held on March 21, 2024, the reorganizational meeting held on March 26, and previews an upcoming meeting scheduled for April 2. Show notes — March 21 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch View the latest conceptual designs of the pool at Living Memorial Park here. Representative Town Meeting was hel…

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 episode covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meeting held on March 5 and previews an upcoming special meeting scheduled for March 21. Show notes — March 5 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch Visit the Pool Project page here. The Rabies Clinic is March 16. Representative Town Meeting is March 23, 2024. The Annual Egg Hunt is March 30. For more updat…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meetings held on February 20 and previews an upcoming meeting scheduled for March 5 at 7 p.m. Show notes — Feb. 20 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch Apply to a board or committee. Learn about Election Day, March 5, in Brattleboro here. For more updates, visit Brattleboro.gov Reach out at townmatters@br…

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 3…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meetings held on February 1 and February 6, and previews an upcoming meeting scheduled for February 20. Show notes — Feb. 1 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch Feb. 6 meeting: Meeting Material, Watch Feb. 20 meeting: Meeting Material View the Representative Town Meeting warning. Apply to a board or commi…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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.Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Brattleboro Selectboard meeting held on January 16 and previews a special meeting on February 1 and a regularly scheduled meeting on February 6. Show notes — Watch the January 16 Selectboard meeting here; meeting materials are here. More info on the February 1 special meeting here. View more info about the FY25 Budget here, …

In 1976 Walt Harrington led an archaeological dig on the Fort Dummer site along the Connecticut River. This is the story...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on January 2 and 5, and then previews the meeting scheduled for January 16. Show notes — Watch the January 2 Selectboard meeting here; meeting material is here. Watch the January 5 Selectboard meeting here; meeting material is here. View more info about the FY25 Budget here, which includes a timeline…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on December 19, 2023 and previews the meeting scheduled for January 2, 2024. Show notes — Watch the December 19 Selectboard meeting here View more info about the FY25 Budget here, which includes a timeline with helpful background material Learn more about petitions for March 2024 elections For more u…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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.Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on December 5 and previews the meeting scheduled for December 19. Show notes — Watch the December 5 Selectboard meeting here Learn more about petitions for March 2024 elections Brooks Memorial Library has published its strategic plan View the Rec & Parks holiday season brochure For more updates visit…

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.Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on November 21 and previews the meeting scheduled for December 5. Show notes — Watch the November 21 Selectboard meeting here. Take the second round of the ARPA Survey. View the Rec & Parks holiday season brochure.Oleh Town of Brattleboro

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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 Brattle…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on November 7 and previews the meeting scheduled for November 21. Show notes — Watch the November 7 Selectboard meeting here. Read more on the Town Legislative Agenda for 2024 here. Check out the redesign Town of Brattleboro website at Brattleboro.gov. Take an online survey about the future of the po…

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…

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.Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on October 17 and previews the meeting scheduled for November 7. Show notes — Watch the October 17 Selectboard meeting here. The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee is accepting applications for FY25 Human Services Funding. The application is available here.…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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...…

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on October 3 and previews the meeting scheduled for October 17. Show notes — Watch the October 3 Selectboard meeting here. The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Human Services Review Committee is accepting applications for FY25 Human Services Funding. The Application, as well as instructions an…

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 fa…

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting held on September 19 and previews the meeting scheduled for October 3. Show notes — You can view the September 19 meeting on YouTube. The Town will host a Budget Engagement Open House on September 28 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street in Brattleboro. Meet with staff from To…

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 are their stories...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

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...Oleh Brattleboro Historical Society

This episode covers the Selectboard meeting(s) in early September, previews the meeting on September 19, and announces a Budget Engagement Open House to kick off the start of the budget season. Show notes — The Selectboard meeting originally scheduled for September 5 was recessed to September 7. Watch the September 7 meeting here. A Public Forum on…