BRADFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – Time, the saying goes, stops for nobody. Each passing second turns into historical past.
At Larry Coffin’s house in Bradford. The previous historical past trainer, with a pad, pencil, and keyboard, faucets away on his newest story.
“I’m engaged on an article on the historical past of veterinary medication within the space,” Coffin stated. “This shall be a 2,000-word article.”
The article will run within the native paper and on Coffin’s blog.
Reporter Joe Carroll: Why do that?
Larry Coffin: Properly, it retains my mind lively.
Carolyn, his spouse of 57 years, agrees. “To me, it’s like he’s nonetheless educating,” she stated.
The 82-year-old writes concerning the previous, not solely in Bradford, however all the encircling communities. And on the previous Bradford Academy, individuals come to him for solutions.
Coffin made his personal recollections inside the previous faculty. “That is my first classroom. I got here right here within the fall of ‘64, recent from Plymouth State Faculty,” he stated. “I used to be very moist behind the ears.”
The Academy closed in 1971 to construct Oxbow Excessive Faculty simply up the highway. That’s the place he continued educating for 42 years.
The Academy now homes the city places of work — and on this present day — City Assembly Day takes heart stage. Coffin was the city assembly moderator for 40 years. “I did my civic responsibility,” he stated. “Take heed to the phrase, ‘moderation,’ it’s a part of the phrase moderator.” It’s a phrase that additionally describes Coffin to a tee, within the classroom and past. “I feel individuals trusted me, I attempted to be truthful.”
Reporter Joe Carroll: This place, pardon the cliche maybe, is a second house to you.
Larry Coffin: In some ways, yup.
Up on the third ground of the old fashioned, historical past from way back fills the room of the Bradford Historic Society. Coffin, not surprisingly, can be the curator.
One of many first globes is the society’s crown jewel. “This can be a first-year globe — 1810,” Coffin stated.
He says James Wilson, the Bradford farmer and blacksmith who made the primary globe within the U.S., was not a cosmopolitan man. “Primarily he was an un-educated one who did a fantastic job.”
Reporter Joe Carroll: He made Bradford proud.
Larry Coffin: He certain did.
Lots like Coffin has performed for the city in current many years. “He’s had his hand in virtually the whole lot that’s optimistic on this city. He’s wonderful,” Nancy stated.
Reporter Joe Carroll: You appear to be the caretaker for Bradford’s historical past.
Larry Coffin: Properly, I feel in some ways, that’s proper.
A person passionate concerning the previous, retaining it very a lot within the current.
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.
