Brattleboro History Walking Tour: Rotary Fundraiser
5.0
9 Ratings
Brattleboro
Discover the fascinating history of Brattleboro, Vermont on a guided walking tour. Explore Main Street, visit historic sites, and enjoy a private tour of the iconic Latchis Theater. Join us for a fun and educational experience while supporting local scholarships and charitable projects.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Plaza Park - The tour begins at Plaza Park (across from the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center and the Brattleboro Co-op) where we talk about the Abenaki Native Americans, the colonial days, and the founding of Brattleboro. We also talk about William Brattle.
- Latchis Theater - A short private tour of the Latchis theater - a unique art deco building in the heart of downtown. This is a movie theater as well as a performing arts venue. Wait until you see the ceiling!
- Elliot Street - After the Latchis, we travel to Elliot Street where we talk about the Water Cures, Total Loss Farm and the Common Ground Restaurant. This is now a bustling street in Brattleboro.
- The Brooks House - From Elliot Street, we travel up Main Street and stop at the Brooks House and talk about the 1870s reconstruction of Brattleboro. We also talk about Rudyard Kipling’s time in Brattleboro and the struggles of 2011 in downtown.
- Centre Congregational Church - Outside the Congregational Church we talk about the Estey Organ Company. The Centre Church steeple holds an interesting story as well.
- Wells Fountain - After a stop overlooking the Connecticut River, we travel up to Wells Fountain where we discuss Jubilee Jim Fisk. You can also see an important (recent) art installation here.
- Brattleboro Common - Our last stop is at the Brattleboro Commons where we discuss the Vermont Republic, the civil war and the Brattleboro Retreat. This is where the tour will end, after which you are free to explore town at your leisure. Art galleries, book stores, great restaurants and boutique shops make Brattleboro quite unique for such a small town!
What's Included
- Tour of downtown Brattleboro
- Visit to Latchis Theater
Additional Information
The Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club volunteers have developed an engaging historical walking tour of downtown Brattleboro as a fundraising event. An excellent start to understanding Brattleboro, Vermont’s rich history, the tour traverses from one tip of Main Street to the other, covering almost 7/10 of a mile. The walk includes around 7 significant stops where Brattleboro’s historical and cultural aspects are discussed. The tour is estimated to take around 1.5 hours and features an exclusive tour of the distinct Latchis Theater. Although children can attend, the tour is primarily tailored to adults.
The proceeds from this event are channeled towards the Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club’s various scholarship initiatives and benevolent efforts aimed at benefiting the local community.
Please note that as the tours predominantly take place outdoors on chosen Saturdays, they may be subject to cancellation due to extreme weather conditions.
Location
1 S Main St
South Main Street
Meet at Plaza Park - across the street from both the Brattleboro Food Co-op and the Brattleboro Art Museum.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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Toni_c
Nov 8, 2023
Great way to spend a couple of hours. - The Guided Brattleboro History Walking Tour offers a glimpse into this small Vermont community’s history facilitated by two local Rotarians. It attracted a wide range of participants including someone who has lived in town for 45 years and someone who just moved to Brattleboro the day before the tour. The most memorable stops along the stroll up Main Street on this fall day were the Latchis Theatre & Hotel (an 85-year-old Art Deco building), the iconic Brooks House (a mixed-use building that has survived fire and flood), the Boys and Girls Club (formerly the Flat Street Nightclub in the 1970s & 1980s-Aerosmith!), and the island in between the shores of Brattleboro and Hinsdale, NH where men would escape prohibition. What a fun way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon!
Review provided by Viator
Libra_k1960
Oct 25, 2023
Very interesting - We were very lucky to catch the short (and free) version of this tour on the Gallery walk evening (first Friday in the month). I'm sure the full tour would be even more enlightening. The guide was engaging and knowledgeable, and considerably added to our visit to Brattleboro.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adventure43913860369
Oct 24, 2023
fun walking history tour with great guides! - I love a good walking tour and this did not disappoint! The guides were knowledgeable with fun historical facts of the area. I particularly liked the tour of the interior and history of the Latchis Theatre, with the incredible murals and artifacts. It was a lovely fall day, and the views of the town, river and surrounding hills were at peak foliage. I've recommended it to others already!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Franzreichsman
Oct 15, 2023
Enlightening! Entertaining! Entirely Excellent! - It’s hard to imagine a more charming and debonair duo than Messers Shriver and Secrest, whose back and forth tale spinning brought to life the stories within the history of Brattleboro. Some of it was familiar, but much was new, and all of it was fun and interesting. Highly recommended to both locals and those from away.
I’m pleased to know they have more stories up their sleeves, and I’m looking forward to doing it again. Don’t miss out. Sign up today!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katej1804
Oct 15, 2023
Fun and fascinating introduction to Brattleboro - This delightful tour is a wonderful option for visitors and residents alike! The well-versed and friendly guides share this small town's rich history through many colorful and entertaining stories - from the Water Cure to parlor organs to back-to-the-landers. Highlights include the stunning "Greco-deco" Latchis Theater and the unbelievable tale of Merino Mania. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anettesh9897gv
Sep 15, 2023
A great view of a perfect New England town, we highly recommend this tour. - What a great way to spend an hour and a half. We thought we knew Brattleboro but now we know so much more. Lovely town, the setting is so picturesque. Our tour guides were very knowledgeable and engaging and loved their town.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Discover68571935157
Sep 15, 2023
Awesome tour for locals and visitors alike! - Lived in Brattleboro for a decade and still learned lots of history about this place. The guys running the tour have conducted lots of research in collaboration with the local historical society and are lawyers by day so know how to spin an interesting tale. All proceeds go to a great local rotary club that supports many local non-profits. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ameliaf745
Sep 15, 2023
Great introduction to Brattleboro! - I've lived in Brattleboro for over 20 years and I learned so much in this walking tour! The tour guides are knowledgeable, friendly and fun. If you're visiting Brattleboro or have lived here all your life, this walking tour is a terrific way to spend a few hours on a Saturday! Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Giddyitup
Sep 11, 2023
Wonderful tour! - I loved this walking history tour! The guides Jon & Sandy were professional, funny and full of great facts and stories about Brattleboro. As someone who has lived here for almost 20 years I learned a lot about my beloved small town. I was never bored and found the guides really engaging. It was impressive how much information they packed into 90 minutes! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone curious about Brattleboro's history and who enjoy a nice walk up Main Street.
Review provided by Tripadvisor