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New Hampton Town House Joins Many Local Buildings on New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places
By Donna RhoDes
NEW HAMPTON – On No- vember 14th, the New Hamp- shire Division of Historical Resources announced that New Hampton Town House was se- lected as another designee to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places as determined by the State Historical Resources Council. The distinction was not the only one the historic build- ing has received over the years, though. In 1998 it was also listed on the National Register of His- toric Places.
Built in 1798 on Town House Rd., just off Rte. 104 in New Hampton, all of the communi- ty’s town meetings and elections have taken place there each year since March of 1799.
The building has remained relatively untouched since it was last remodeled in 1872. The wood construction, shuttered windows, a stage, and other fea- tures continue to give visitors the feel of stepping back in time as they enter the building.
Nearly 230 years old now, New Hampton Town House is also the site of the town’s annual Old Home Day celebration each August; a New Hampshire tradi- tion where their bean hole bean luncheon, live music, historic dis- plays, and vendor booths are a part of the community gathering each year. It also hosts a weekly local farmer’s market in the sum- mer months.
Election days are another so- cial time in New Hampton when residents meet at the townhouse to cast their votes, enjoy great homemade foods, and chat with their friends and neighbors about their town and, of course, a little politics.
Up until 1842, the townhouse also served as the New Hampton Congregational Church, hosting their religious services and vari- ous church-related activities until the congregation began worship- ping in Bristol.
New Hampton Town House
New Hampton Town Hall was recently named to the N.H. State Register of Historic Places, joining several other Plymouth and Newfound locations, which have also been awarded that distinction. Photo by Donna Rhodes
replaceable historic resources through programs and services that provide education, steward- ship, and protection.”
It’s important to note applica- tions to have a property listed on the register do not impose restric- tions on property owners.
A full list of properties, town districts, and other state historic places already recognized by the State Historic Register can be found online at www.nh.gov/ nhdhr/programs. There, peo- ple will also find photos and background information on the many locations throughout New Hampshire that make up the lists of state and national historic places already recognized.
The N.H. Division of His-
torical Resources’ State Historic Preservation Office was estab- lished in 1974 and is part of the N.H. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
New Hampshire is filled with many other historic structures that could also be eligible for the State Register of Historic Places. However, anyone wish- ing to nominate a property must begin by researching the history of the nominated property and then document that informa- tion on an individual inventory form. Those forms are available online at www.nh.gov/nhdhr/ programs. Interested parties may also contact the division by phone at 603-271-3483 with any questions.
joins several other local structures already listed on the New Hamp- shire registry. Among those are the Daniel Smith Tavern in New Hampton, the Whipple House in Bristol as well as the old Bristol Fire Station, which served the town’s emergency response needs from 1889 until 1974, when the new fire station was constructed. It is now the location of Bristol’s Historical Society and its mu- seum.
Alexandria is home to yet an- other N.H. historic site- the old Town Hall, which also served as the local grange and is where the town’s elections, town meetings, community dinners, weddings, and other social events take place.
George Gamble Library in Danbury is another building now designated as a state historic site, along with Ash Cottage in He- bron and seven beautiful build- ings within the Hebron Historic District. East Hebron School- house, located on Mayhew Turn- pike, is yet another registered place in that community.
To the north in Plymouth, Calley Homestead/1820 is rec- ognized by the N.H. State Histor- ical Resources Council, as is the Lower Intervale Grange #321 on Rte. 3, which was recently added to the growing list.
The overall mission of
NHDHR is to “preserve and celebrate New Hampshire’s ir-
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