Let’s Go To Valley Fair, 1893

For many decades, Brattleboro was home to the annual Valley Fair at this time of year. It was a two day, town-wide celebration of livestock, farming, craftsmanship, sport, and entertainment. Brattleboro literally shut down so that everyone could participate. Imagine the Stroll merged with the Guilford Fair, on steroids.

The newspapers would hype the event for months, giving details of various fair committees and their decisions. After the fair, they would run multi-page accounts with full details, and pages with lists of every winner of every competition – from best pumpkin pie to the cow that can produce the most milk.

Let’s go to Valley Fair, 1893!  I’ve combed through the reports to recreate a visit for us.

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As you are well aware, this is the 8th Valley Fair and promises to be the best yet. Let’s go downtown and watch the parade to kick things off.

The Cavalcade

This year’s Cavalcade leads from the Common to the fairgrounds (which someday might make nice land for a High School). Main and Canal streets are fully decorated with flags, banners, and buntings. Valley Fair posters are up in windows, and there are special displays in the windows of merchants.

It’s rather crowded down here. Full trainloads of people are arriving at the station.

The streets are crowded. Men on horseback signal the start of the Cavalcade. They are followed by some of our local wheelmen on their bicycles. Next up are some of our more notable lady riders.

Here comes the First Regiment Band, followed by the High School drum corps being escorted by the Estey Guard, and more horseback riders.

Next up are the carts and carriages. We didn’t join in, but there were open invitations in the paper for weeks leading up to today saying that anyone could take part. Maybe next year.

Each of the carts and carriages is driven by a team of horses. Everything has a splash of yellow, with yellow ribbons, hats, butterflies, flowers, and other decorations for each entry. Some are quite amazing and show a lot of work being put in to fully outfit the carriage with flowers and ribbons, from the wheels on up. There must be 30 or 40 of these that go by us, each unique.

Here come the school children. Students from North St., Washington St., and Chase St. schools are all participating. The Chase Street pupils are chanting enthusiastically “We are in it, So we are; Chase street primary, ‘Rah, ‘rah, ‘rah.”  Very cute, indeed.

Here is the High School senior class in a huge wagon. It’s draped in yellow and trimmed with red leaves, and is drawn by 16 horses.

We’re coming to the end now, with 40 or 50 bicyclists wheeling along. At least half of them have their wheels decorated with bright colors.

The Fairgrounds

We hitch a ride on the back of a wagon heading up the hill and make our way to the fairgrounds. There are flags flying, people and livestock, large buildings of exhibits, the race track, and the smell of food, flowers, and farm animals in the air. It’s bustling. 

Over 20,000 people visit over two days.  Many come by train, but many drive, so parking for carriages and horses is at a premium.

Hotels in town are crowded to overflowing. The Brooks House serves over 3500 meals and furnishes lodging for 441 visitors. Farr & Hannon makes and disposes of 1000 pies. 

Stores, banks, and manufacturers close early (or entirely) so employees can attend. Even the County Court adjourned for the day.

Horses

We, of course, have to go look at the great horses on display. This is at the top of everyone’s list.

Working our way around, we can see that the horses are described by their owners, breeds, race times, and relation to other known horses.  F.W. Weatherhead of Guilford, for example, has “the brood mare Maud B, by Motion, 2:29, sire of Whist, 2:18, dam Topsy by Billy Ring, dam of Mack, 2:20, foal at foot by Victor Wilkes.”

We see race horses that have been to the State Fair. We see fine examples of breeds we know.

Ethan Allen 2d, a inbred Morgan owned by A.W. Peters of Bradford, is getting a lot of attention and attracting large crowds. Some say he is a most beautiful specimen, as his his 14 month old colt who stands nearly equal in size.

We’ll see more horses later on at the races, so we should keep moving along.

Cows

The cows are also getting a lot of attention. It could be the varieties on display: herds of Devons, Jerseys, Holsteins,  Guernseys, Durhams, and Herefords.

Talking with some of the experts around here, we learn the key to appreciating the cows is to consider their age, weight, color, and beauty.

The Brattleboro Retreat farm is showing a very extensive exhibit of thoroughbred Holsteins, and their well-known Holstein bull, Gerrit. Some say he has no equal of his kind.  A younger Holstein bull of great merit, with many cows, heifers and other live stock from the Retreat are exhibited without being entered for competition.

(Some of the livestock we’re seeing today is for display only, while others are entered into competitions.)

I think we missed the oxen drawing contest, but I hear that the draft oxen pulled up to 8,775 pounds. Some were questioning whether this was a humane way to treat the beasts. Perhaps they will reconsider next year.

Sheep, Pigs, & Birds

The buzz in the sheep area is all about the Shropshires. These sheep were imported from England. The reporter for the Phoenix said that until he saw these animals he wasn’t aware that any sheep had been bred so near perfection.

The swine show is equally impressive with many animals. Check out that great family of Chester White pigs, Jersey Reds, and Yorkshires. The large ones are close to 600 pounds!

It’s a bit noisy over here in the poultry area, but I read that there are 640 birds on display.  Silver Spangled Hamburgs, Light Brahmas, Cochins, White Plymouth Rocks, Leghorns, Games, and Game Bantams are over here.  In other pens and cages we see White Wyandottes, White Minorcas, Buff Leghorns, White Polish, and Andalasians. Did you see the cage of fancy pigeons? Someone said a few of these birds will be seen at the World’s Fair.

The Floral Hall

Wow, this seems much improved over previous years, wouldn’t you say? And so much more than just flowers.

Look at this exhibit display of H.M. Wood, a large case with a centerpiece of a Keating wheel and wheelmen’s supplies grouped about it, and at the back of the case there are sporting goods of various kinds, rods, guns, and rifles, all arranged nicely.

Young and Knowlton has a good display of cloths for custom clothing, overcoats, suits, and bags. They also have a case of gloves, ties and underwear, and hats of the latest styles.

Dunham Bros. is showing off their shoes. At the display of Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines we can have our names stitched into a cloth band by machine while we wait. Want to try it?

There is a printing display by the Phoenix. There is a collection of photos by A.D. Wyatt.

The raised platform ahead of us has five of the latest Carpenter Organ models on display. The Estey exhibit should be here somewhere.

Hey, look! Here’s Capt. Thunderbolt’s gun. And here is a collection of planes and wood tools. More sewing machines, inlaid woodwork, and a case of eyeglasses over here. Furniture, curtains and drapes are on display. Did you see the display of corsets?

Let’s head over to the south side of the hall for the Women’s Department. Look at all these blankets, quilts, banners, afghans, and portieres. There are rag carpets, and pieced, drawn, applique, hooked, knitted, and braided rugs. We have some talent around here.

I see an ottoman cover, and some knitted stockings and mittens. There are hats, ribbons, flowers, laces, and perfumes. Here is a display of  antique spoons and samplers.

We’re still not done. I promise we can get something to eat soon.

Paintings and drawings on display over this way. There is the fancy embroidery and lace work, knit and crocheted, plus aprons, knitted skirts, and capes. There are some exceptional displays of tidies, table mats, doilies, ties, lace spreads, shams, and sofa pillows.

Here is the Estey Organ Company display. They bring in their best salespeople for this. Five new organs are on display this year.

It’s getting on, and we’ve been here a while. Let’s go home, get a bite to eat, and then head out to the Valley Fair Dance. The orchestra will be playing.

Day Two

That was some dance, eh? The music was excellent, and everyone was there. Did you like the way Policeman C.C. Turner handled Gus Wilkins when he made himself obnoxious? He mopped the floor with that boy. 

Now that we’re back at the fairgrounds, let’s visit all the exhibits that we missed, and catch some of the races.

Butter, Cheese, & Milk Tests

Can you believe it? Over 100 entries of butter and 15 of cheese from creameries and farms. Let’s see the results of the tests. 

There were three entries in the 24 hour, single cow butter test. A Jersey named Franklin’s Pride produced 2 pounds and 5 ounces to win the first place and $25.  There was also a six cow test, and Holsteins made off with the $50 prize for just over 10 pounds and two ounces.  

In the 24 hour milk tests, the winner produced 55 pounds and 5 ounces.

There is this display of dairy apparatus by the Vermont Farm Machinery company. They have the latest separator, creamery, and tester, and the Brattleboro Jelly Company is showing off an Acme steam engine designed for dairy and farm purposes. They sell ‘em, too.

Agricultural Hall

This department of the fair is filled with farm and garden products. I heard someone say it is the best show ever, so let’s go in and see for ourselves.

It sure smells nice. Not like over by the pigs. Look at all the vegetables. 

These four Proterion pumpkins from the Retreat farm are enormous. It says the heaviest is 172.5 pounds. And there is a giant squash weighing in at 125 pounds. They have at least 15 varieties on display.

Mmm. Vegetable displays. Beans, potatoes and tomatoes of multiple varieties, cauliflower, sweet corn, celery, peppers, cabbages, egg plants, gourds, beets, carrots, parsnips, and melons.

And there’s more – rutabaga, kohl rabi, spring rye, oats, buckwheat, and radishes. These are excellent specimens.

We’re coming into the fruit area. Peaches, pears, apples, grapes, and cranberries all look great. There is canned fruit, jellies, and pickles. There are maple syrups and sugars, as well as cakes, breads, pies and muffins, all sporting their respective first, second, and third place ribbons. I’m hungry again.

Over there is a collection of houseplants, cut flowers, wild flowers, and so many pansies! I wonder why they didn’t have these in the Floral Hall? Oh well, more to see and do.

Farm Machinery and Carriages

I want to go in here. I’m thinking about getting a new Concord wagon.

Oh, nice. Here is a large collection of farm tools. It’s the national reversible sulky plow! Belcher & Taylor makes them. Want to look at the swivel plows, cultivators, and horse rakes? Hey, it’s a hay tedder, and a tobacco weeder. Very capable looking. They have harrows, root and feed cutters, a corn sheller, fan mill, and wheelbarrows, too.

I’ve seen these mowing machines before. They tested one on a nearby farm recently. 

Look. Gibson & Brown have my Concord wagon. Or maybe I should consider one of these other top or open buggies. They all look nice. How would I look with an express wagon? How about a light road wagon? They look sporty. A surrey? Good thing they’ll also sell me horse blankets and a harness. I’ll stop back later.

Or maybe I should just buy one of these sleighs? That would be extravagant, though, when we could be getting this Hamer perfect washer that forces water right through the clothes. It says the dirt settles to the bottom around the corrugated zinc sides. Fancy!

The Bench

What’s all the barking? Oh, it’s the Bench – the dog show.

These are some of the best coon dogs and fox hounds around. That cocker spaniel is cute. That’s a nice bull terrier. The Scotch collies seem to be enjoying themselves. There are so many pugs, and lots of puppies.

Did you see that lady’s wolf?

Horse Driving

We missed the horse driving.  Someone told me they cleared the track for the gentlemen’s driving classes of matched pairs. The drivers were first sent around the track at a slow speed, but for the second half the drivers were told to “let ‘er go.” All the horses were so good that it was some time before the judges came to a decision.

Horse Races

There were races yesterday, and more today. We’re in time to catch the Free For All Race. I think we can get close to the Grand Stand.

Look at those fast steppers in the race for the money. Budd Doble, from the outside, moves to the front like a flash, but breaks on the back stretch. Peter Cooper comes along fast, but breaks badly, and it’s Linden in first, with Budd Doble second. You didn’t have money on that one, did you?

There’s a bit of a pause while between heats. It sure is crowded. And the weather has cooperated a second day!

Time for the second heat. Peter Cooper again breaks badly. The fight is between Linden and Budd Doble. It’s going to be close. Both horses passed the wire under the whip, with Doble a neck ahead. The first half was made in 1:08.

The gentleman next to me says this was the most magnificent struggle ever seen on a local track.

Heading Home

We catch a much-appreciated ride in a wagon to get back into town. The driver tells us the Brattleboro Retreat farm is one of the largest and most important contributors to the success of the fair. We had to agree.

The kids next to us are eating the bon bons they secured during the Japanese day fireworks. Some of the shells had candy inside them.

The 1893 Valley Fair was a big success.

 

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Note: This story was adapted from news reports of the Valley Fair from The Phoenix newspaper, which devoted many pages and columns to the details of each particular of the fair, including a full list of prizes won, with winners named.

Photos come via With Interest and Picturesque Brattleboro. They are NOT all from 1893, but I like them.

The Valley Fair was held on the current site of BUHS on Fairground Road.