ORAL HISTORIES

These interviews were done by the Hartford Historical Society and the Hartford Historical Preservation Commission.

Bonnie Briggs
Margaret “Bonnie” Wilcox grew up in Lyme, New Hampshire and went to the Thetford Academy where she met her husband Fred Briggs. Fred started a successful clothing store in Hartford called Briggs ltd. and Bonnie joined him after his original partner decided to leave the business. Bonnie continued to run the business some ten years after Fred died in 1991. Read transcript.

Judy Barwood
Judy grew up in Hartford, went to Hartford High School, and continues to be an active member of the community. Judy’s husband Wendell owned Barwood Insurance Agencies until his retirement in 1989. She was interviewed in 2014. Read transcript.

Harold Wright
Harold was born at Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover in 1926. His parents brought him home to the family dairy on Route 5  just south of White River Junction, which he and his brothers continued to operate until 2004. View PDF. Listen to audio file.

Ralph Lehman
Ralph Lehman had been town manager in Hartford for 35 years when he was interviewed by Beverly Bishop in 2004. Lehman reflects on his German ancestry, his service in the Korean War, and some of the many changes around town after he accepted a salary of $6,000 a year and moved here from Maine. Read transcript.

David Briggs
David Briggs is a multi-faceted Hartford native who’s an engineer, musician, hotel operator, patron of the arts, and more. In this 2004 interview, he gives an insider’s view of Hartford, talks about the renaissance of White River Junction, and dispels the myth that Meryl Streep once performed here. Read transcript.

Dennis Brown
Former Select Board member Dennis Brown recalls growing up in Hartford and meeting his future wife at Gateway Motors where he was a service advisor. Among his lasting childhood memories was accidentally putting Mr. Bubble in a cup with his father’s false teeth. Read transcript.

Ronald Theriault
Ever hitch a ride to Enfield to swim in Lake Mascoma? Ronald Theriault looks back at this and other adventures in this interview from 2006. Read transcript.

Mary Dow
Back in 2005, Mary Dow recalled a time when everyone knew each other along Main Street in White River Junction. She also looked back on how Quechee changed during the 1900s, reflected on raising nine children, and described why Africa and the Galapagos Islands stood out among her world travels.  Read transcript.

Margaret Harlow
Margaret Harlow was born in Hartland, Vermont in 1911. She was married to Don Harlow for 65 years, lived most of her life in Hartford, and died in 2005 at age 93. Her daughter, Peggy McDerment, remembers her as a “people person.” Read transcript.

Dominic Regione
“Minnie” Regione was just five-foot three-inches tall, but he was captain of the Vermont State Champion 1929 Hartford High School Basketball team. The Hartford native talks about basketball and more in this 2005 interview with Ronald Theriault. Read transcript.

Byron Hathorn
Byron is a lifelong Hartford resident. He bought the railroad depot in 1995 and has been a part of the revitalization of White River Junction. In 2017, Byron was interviewed by Brian Knight. Read transcript.

Charlie Kelton
Charlie was an entrepreneur, entertainer, politician, and civic leader. Many local residents remember his contributions as a state senator, school board member, and civic leader. He was also known for his beloved elephant, Shirley. Charlie’s son Bodie Kelton remembers his father in our May-June 2019 newsletter. Charlie was interviewed in 2004. Read transcript.

Ken Parker
Ken grew up in White River Junction where his parents owned a restaurant. He has served as a state representative, a Select Board member, and currently oversees the Hartford Cemetery. In 2007, he shared memories of growing up in the town. Read transcript.

Carol Dewey Davidson
Carol shares stories of growing up in Dewey’s Mills when it was a thriving community above Quechee Gorge. She recalls Dewey family members and notes some of the historic buildings that have survived. Read transcript.