BRATTLEBORO — When the Brooks House opened in June 1872 it was lauded one of the grandest hotels of its day. In short order it earned its reputation from New York to Boston as a premier resort destination.
Max L. Powell purchased the Brooks House in 1928, and manager Arthur B. Dickey oversaw a complete update and renovation of the property, including the latest electrical technology - and a telephone in each guest room. Now known as The Brooks Hotel, the property once again took its place as the grande dame of Brattleboro's Main Street.
Four decades later, Norman and Norma Chase entered the scene. The Brooks Hotel had been closed for years and was in danger of being demolished. Norman had a vision that would make the property commercially viable, and he had the expertise to make it happen.
The ballroom and guest rooms were renovated as offices and apartments, a move that preserved the architectural treasure's many graces while finding new ways to serve the community.
Norma's love of antiques and estate jewelry culminated in Brooks House Antiques, the beloved shop she ran for 12 years and to which all were always warmly welcomed. The Brooks House housed many successful businesses over the years and helped to further define and anchor Brattleboro's business community.
Norman and Norma Chase's stewardship, along with that of their son, Jonathan, spanned more than 40 years. While the mantle has been passed and the town anxiously awaits the rebirth of this historic property following a devastating fire in 2011, Twice Onsite Auction is planning an event that will help reflect the positive impact the Chase family has had on this town.
Twice Onsite presents a sale of items and ephemera from the Brooks House at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden during Gallery Walk on Friday, Sept. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Included in the sale is a large, cast-iron bell Norma used at the entrance of her antique shop, and several antique Renaissance Revival pieces from the 1870s that are original to the Brooks House: two large walnut hall mirrors; a smaller walnut wall mirror; a quartersawn oak-tip table with gold appliqués; and a rare walnut oval marble-top side table signed by C. Menzies Miller.
(This table is significant due to the signature on the underside of the marble top.)
Other items in this sale are a pharmacy prescription album from 1905-1906 with original prescriptions kept by the pharmacy; chairs; an original vanity from the Brooks House; and paintings, ephemera, original wood-tagged keys, and an original Brooks House wooden sign that graced the building in 1970.
There also are multiple signs from past businesses at street level.