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The Brattleboro Historical Society receives requests in several forms. Some individuals respond to our Facebook posts, some send emails to histsoc@sover.net, others write letters, and still others leave messages on the answering machine. This week weâll review two of our recent requests.
A few weeks ago, we received an email from a gentleman whose great uncle had been awarded a Purple Heart for action in the South Pacific. The man to whom the medal was awarded died during World War II at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. He died early in the war, in September of 1942. The medal was sent to his mother and handed down through the family. Now his great-nephew wants to donate this medal to the historical society to be included with our WW II Memorabilia. What an honor to be asked to hold this very special object within our collection.
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In 1882 George Crowell, owner of the publication titled the âHousehold,â bought 30 acres of land from the Hines family. This property included the Hines Aqueduct Association and an unfinished reservoir, with springs located on what was then known as Hines Hill. The aqueduct and reservoir were begun by Isaac Hines but had not been developed since Hinesâ death in 1876. This aqueduct association was the very beginning of what is now the Brattleboro Water Department.
When Crowell purchased the 30 acres of land from the Hines family he had initially thought to develop the reservoir and form building lots on the property. The aqueduct water system supplied houses in Forest Square (Cedar, Spruce, and Myrtle streets). Crowell renamed the property Chestnut Hill and decided to create a park for the public instead of producing building lots for housing development. Crowellâs publication, the âHousehold,â helpe