Gilford

9781467134149

$24.99

The town of Gilford has always known its purpose, and even today, residents take pride in their town’s history.

Initially settled in 1777 within the town of Gilmanton, Gilford became incorporated on June 16, 1812. Unique in relation to its neighboring towns, Gilford originated as a farming settlement, with pastures being cleared as early as 1762. The construction of the Lake Shore Railroad brought many tourists, so many that residents began to build additional stories onto their homes in order to offer lodging to these travelers. Visitors flocked to the area to enjoy the beautiful Belknap Mountain Range, scenic roads and hiking trails, and the beaches and boat docks on Lake Winnipesaukee. Kimball Castle atop Locke's Hill is a focal point that has been viewed by generations of people traveling to Gilford and is noted for being one of the most haunted places in the state. The town remains a sought-after destination, and the historians of Gilford continue to work diligently to preserve the town's village, historic treasures, and past.

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Londonderry

9780738535579

$24.99

Situated only forty miles north of Boston, Londonderry is one of the fastest growing towns in a rapidly developing region of New England. With the opening of Interstate 93 in 1963, the town's transformation from rural farming community to metropolitan suburb began. Today, as progress inevitably changes the appearance of Londonderry, the town strives to maintain its small-town appeal and rich agricultural heritage. In words and pictures, Londonderry captures the character of the town from the mid-nineteenth century through World War II. Included are early photographs of farms, homesteads, and taverns that have changed very little, and many more photographs of mills, churches, barns, and rail depots that disappeared years ago. Londonderry is also a record of people engaged in a more simple way of life-apple picking, collecting maple syrup, bringing in the hay, and tobogganing on Ela's Hill (now the site of a fast-food restaurant). Londonderry tells a fascinating story to be enjoyed by lifelong residents and newcomers alike.

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Haverhill and East Haverhill

9780738555041

$24.99

The southern villages of Haverhill follow the course of the Oliverian Brook, with its winding banks that originate in the foothills of the White Mountains and pour into the mouth of the Connecticut River. Haverhill and East Haverhill explores the growth of these dynamic riverside communities, from the early days of exploration to the glory of the industrial age, when the village of Pike was once the whetstone capital of the world. Beginning in the hamlet of East Haverhill and meandering through to Haverhill Corner, the villages along the brook are marked by an abundance of natural resources and an unwavering Yankee spirit. This book celebrates the passions, struggles, and enterprise of the men and women who came before.

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Wakefield and Brookfield

9780738544793

$24.99

Wakefield and Brookfield, located at the geographic center of New England, lie in the beautiful Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Incorporated in 1774, Wakefield was a small agricultural community until the arrival of the Boston and Maine Railroad in 1871. The railroad brought economic and cultural changes to the town, shifting the town center from Wakefield Corner to Wolfeboro Junction (now Sanbornville) and giving rise to a bustling downtown business center and thriving ice-cutting industry. Brookfield became an independent town in 1794. Farmers were drawn to the town's fertile ground, and the area has remained quietly rural into the present. Both towns continue to draw visitors to their many lakes and ponds, as they have done for more than a century. Wakefield and Brookfield illustrates the shared history and diverging identities of these small towns.

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Around Newfound Lake

9780738509600

$24.99

An American poet once said that you should pack your boat of life with "only what you need-a home and simple pleasures." A tribute to these simple pleasures is presented in Around Newfound Lake, a nostalgic journey through a rich collection of vintage photographs. We see views of town and country, work and leisure, celebrations and even disasters-a charming collage of daily life through a century of change.

Newfound Lake occupies some 4,106 acres in the foothills of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Fed by underground springs, this pristine lake is nature's own recreation center. In quiet harmony with the lake are centuries-old towns and villages embracing its bounds: places such as Hill, Hebron, Groton, and New Hampton, known by other names and proprietary boundaries when first settled; Alexandria and Danbury, nestled at the foot of Mountains Cardigan and Ragged, respectively; Bridgewater, claiming the lion's share of the Newfound shoreline; and Bristol, the industrial hub.

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Berlin

9780738587820

$24.99

Two hundred years ago, no one could have foretold that a picturesque valley in the shadow of Mount Washington, with ample virgin timber and flowing rapids, would develop into one of the most technologically inventive and ethnically diverse communities in New England. Berlin, New Hampshire, is a city that truly epitomizes the term melting pot. With the Androscoggin River serving as a catalyst for the paper industry-based economy, this city that trees built has always paid homage to the ingenuity of the Brown Company. Through the Browns' industriousness, fortitude, and character, they forged a way of life for the many immigrants who toiled tirelessly—not only for their mentors, but for future generations. Through the brawn and taming of this wilderness came a necessary component of a burgeoning city. The evolution of the business, civic, and religious communities came together to weave an ethnic quilt—a mosaic tinted with the autumn colors of the hills that would ultimately come to provide Berlin with her labor, culture, and pride.

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Meredith

9780738589572

$24.99

Uniquely clustered with lakes and rivers, islands and meadows, Meredith is nestled at the foothills of the White Mountains. From its Native American roots as a fishing and farming community, to the industrial era, when factories and inns began to spring up and thrive, Meredith has remained a busy gathering place.

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New Hampshire's Cornish Colony

9780738537535

$24.99

New Hampshire's Cornish Colony illustrates this distinguished American art colony. First settled in 1885 by colleagues of America's Michelangelo, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the Cornish Colony was a retreat for sculptors, painters, writers, and musicians. They were attracted to this peaceful valley nestled in the New Hampshire hills in the shadow of Vermont's Mount Ascutney. Known as the Athens of America, the Cornish Colony was a lively, glamorous society during its heyday from 1885 to 1925. One outstanding member, the famous artist Maxfield Parrish, was called a chickadee because he spent the entire year in Cornish, not merely the summer. In New Hampshire's Cornish Colony, discover a portrait of the colonists' society and the fascinating people who contributed to America's cultural legacy.

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Sandown

9781467120562

$24.99

Established in 1756, the town of Sandown, New Hampshire, has a rich history of hardworking men and women who farmed the land and set up shoe shops, lumber mills, blacksmith shops, and taverns. Taking advantage of both natural resources, like the Exeter River and Angle Pond, and man-made ones, such as the railroad, the small, rural town capitalized on its proximity to Boston to expand business opportunities. The Lovering Mill, Angle Pond Hotel, and Elwin C. Mills Shoe Shop are examples of these successful ventures. Today, mills and shoe shops have been replaced by other enterprises, including Zorvino Vineyards and St. Julien Macaroons. As in the past, a sense of community and volunteer commitment is still evident in the hearts of Sandown families. The fire department continues to be an all-volunteer organization, as are many town committees. Proudly listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Sandown's Old Meeting House and Railroad Depot capture residents' dedication to the preservation of town history.

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Lyme

9780738549293

$24.99

Chartered in 1761, Lyme began as a small farming community. It stretches from the banks of the Connecticut River eastward to Smarts Mountain. Located just north of Hanover, Lyme has a picturesque village common and the longest line of contiguous horse sheds in New England, as well as the Dartmouth Skiway and a section of the Appalachian Trail. Residents include families who trace their roots back to Lyme's beginnings as well as newer arrivals, among them many Dartmouth College alumni. It is home to writers and artists, talented tradespeople, and home-based entrepreneurs. Using photographs from 1860 to 1960, Lyme illustrates daily life in this town, from the people who have lived and worked here to their homes and properties. Seen here are the farms, houses of worship, schools, places, and events that make up Lyme's history.

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Cemeteries Around Lake Winnipesaukee

9780738539317

$24.99

Cemeteries Around Lake Winnipesaukee, a photographic study, reveals the compelling history of the region from the time when Native Americans first inhabited the lake's shore to the 1900s. These cemeteries are some of the oldest cultural and archaeological remnants of the past around the lake, and their scenic locations and gravestones and monuments provide a tangible link to the past. Through the author's collection of photographs, readers can see the final resting places of people as diverse as early settlers, ministers, doctors, Revolutionary and Civil War veterans, drowning victims, and even a controversial author. Readers will also discover the art and business of gravestone carving and learn about some of the region's early practitioners in this unusual art form.

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Manchester through the Lens of Frank Kelly

9781540299192

$34.99

Frank Kelly was a prominent Manchester photographer in the mid-20th century, owning and operating Frank Kelly Studios for over 49 years.

Together with his wife, Eleanor, he captured the essence of Manchester through portraits of its people, businesses, and iconic landmarks. This book showcases his remarkable body of work, including rare images of local businesses and notable events, such as multiple presidential visits to the Queen City. Additionally, Frank Kelly was a well-respected portrait and wedding photographer who took great pride in photographing generations of Manchester families. Sam Kelly Theodosopoulos, grandson of Frank Kelly, is a committee member of the Manchester Historic Association. A Manchester Central High School graduate, he holds a bachelor of arts in political science from George Washington University. John Clayton, a longtime local historian, is the former executive director of the Manchester Historic Association. With 25 years as a reporter and columnist for the New Hampshire Union Leader, he is also the author of seven books exploring Manchester and New Hampshire history.

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Newbury

9780738564890

$24.99

Newbury has attracted residents and visitors to its unspoiled landscape since its incorporation in 1778. Early settlers found sustenance in Sunapee's lake and mountain as they tamed the wilderness, and later visitors found relaxation and recreation as they came to lakeside destinations by railroad and steamboat. Today Lake Sunapee continues to provide fishing and water sports, while Mount Sunapee Resort draws more than 250,000 skiers seasonally and is host to the oldest annual craftsmen's fair in the country. Nearby is the Fells, former statesman John Hay's historic home, offering art exhibits, extensive gardens, and hiking trails. Newbury Harbor hosts a train station and museum with a collection of railroad memorabilia. Newbury also offers the unique architecture of the Center Meeting House, historic buildings in timeless South Newbury village, and cheek-to-jowl cottages in Blodgett's Landing that evolved from Spiritualist campsites.

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New Hampshire Old Home Celebrations

9780738565293

$24.99

In 1899, when many New Hampshire residents were moving to cities and other parts of the nation, Frank Rollins, soon to become governor of New Hampshire, delivered a proposal to hold an annual event he dubbed Old Home Week. Similar in form to many of the family and town picnics already a tradition throughout New Hampshire, Old Home Week was designed as an open invitation to all the former residents of the Granite State to return to the homes of their youth. In addition to the ballgames, picnics, parades, and bonfires that were held during the third week of August, the celebrations resulted in municipal improvements across the state. Old homesteads were refurbished as summer homes, and libraries and monuments sprung up throughout the region as residents returned, creating a movement toward a renewed pride in the community.

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Hudson New Hampshire

9780738502779

$24.99

From Nottingham to Benson's Wild Animal Farm, Hudson's 157 year history is revealed in this photographic journey.

The New Hampshire town of Hudson has gone through amazing growth and change since 1673 when it was part of Dunstable, Massachusetts. Over the course of 157 years, the town became Nottingham, Massachusetts, in 1741; Nottingham West, New Hampshire, in 1746; and finally, Hudson in 1830. Along with the change of names, this border community developed new town centers. Today, Hudson has two centers—the newer one being located closer to the Merrimack River along the route into Nashua. Hudson, New Hampshire presents the town's prominent people, such as Dr. Alfred K. Hills; its well-known attractions, such as Benson's Wild Animal Farm; and its fine institutions, such as Alvirne High School.

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Wilton, Temple, and Lyndeborough

9780738512204

$24.99

Wilton, Temple, and Lyndeborough brings to life the rich shared history of three towns on the eastern edge of the Monadnock region. In more than two hundred photographs from the period 1860 to 1960, this book captures the proud heritage of farm and family life, glass factories, woodenware and textile mills, and the captivating scenic beauty that drew many notable artists such as Chauncey Ryder, Roy Brown, Ross Turner, and Stanley Hallett.

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Milford

9780738511092

$24.99

Settled on the edge of the Monadnock region, Milford is a growing community that has managed to maintain its small-town charm. Residents have taken great pride in their community through the years. In 2002, the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Milford one of only five national Great American Main Street Awards for the revitalization of the downtown area, an award that would not have been possible without much volunteer and team effort.

With pictures and words, Milford looks back at the people, places, and events that have molded the community into the appealing one it is today. It contains views of places that have been gone for decades: the White Elephant shop, the Milford Inn, French & Heald furiture company, and the many working granite quarries, which in their time earned Milford the nickname the "granite town of the Granite State." Well represented are the historic downtown area and the common, known also as "the oval" since it bore that shape in the 1800s.

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Bethlehem

9780738504407

$24.99

One hundred years ago, the White Mountains were America's favorite resort. Presidents, writers, artists, industrialists, and prominent individuals of all types came to stay in the grand hotels and enjoy the recreation and scenery. Bethlehem, New Hampshire, was in the center of all this activity. With more than thirty hotels and lodging places, the town became synonymous with summer leisure and relaxation. Visitors enjoyed golf, tennis, riding, scenic drives, balls and gala events, and lots of rocking chair time on the wide verandahs. Fresh, pollen-free air gave relief to those suffering from asthma and hay fever. P.T. Barnum called the annual coaching parades the second greatest show on earth. By the 1920s, the automobile and expanded travel opportunities to the West and to Europe were forcing the grand hotels into decline. Fortunately for Bethlehem, the New York Jewish community discovered the town. Bethlehem became an almost entirely Jewish resort and prospered as such until the 1970s. Even today, several hotels cater to a small Hassidic population, and the Bethlehem Hebrew congregation is a small but active year-round Jewish community. In recent years Bethlehem has undergone a rebirth of sorts, with the renovation of historical buildings, the formation of a heritage society, and the renewal of interest and pride in Bethlehem's rich and colorful history.

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Surry

9780738505237

$24.99

Located in the southwest corner of New Hampshire, Surry is an unspoiled town that in spite of major change retains the qualities of a nineteenth-century village. Framed by natural beauty, Surry was similar to other quiet New England hill towns until the hundred-year floods of the 1930s necessitated a dam. Bidding farewell to its routine of farm and mill, mine and turnpike, the town accepted the construction of the Surry Mountain Dam in 1938 and evolved swiftly into a desirable recreational and residential community.

Surry is a stunning compilation of photographs anchored in two core portfolios. One is the work of James E. Harvey, who captured Surry during the transitional first decade of the twentieth century. The second collection is the archive of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which documents the construction of the dam from its initial survey to completion, 1.2 million cubic yards of stone and concrete later. Here is the inside story of how a force of nature-the Ashuelot River-was dammed.

Cover image for Surry, isbn: 9780738505237

Pembroke

9780738537627

$24.99

Bordered by three rivers, Pembroke is located just south of Concord in one of the fastest growing areas of the state. Like many towns in New England, Pembroke started out as an agricultural settlement and developed into a thriving mill town. Cotton cloth, paper, glass, and bricks were produced in the village's mills, mostly by French Canadian immigrant labor. Among other things, Pembroke is known as the residence of the reputed inventor of the revolver and the site of a grisly murder in 1875. Through vintage photographs, Pembroke chronicles the evolution of this New England town.

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The Music Hall, Portsmouth

9780738512495

$24.99

On Christmas Eve 1876, Portsmouth citizens watched flames reduce their largest meetinghouse and entertainment hall to ashes. During the following year, local families, businessmen, and craftsmen combined their resources to build a new auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting, rigging, staging, and seating-a comfortable venue for public addresses, charity functions, and international entertainment. The Music Hall, Portsmouth, was born.

Twain spoke from her stage, Sousa's brass echoed from her walls, and Edison's films brought her silver screen to life. Enduring war, depression, and multiple threats of destruction, this grand hall today stands as New Hampshire's oldest operating theater. Showcasing the world's finest stage and screen talent, offering artistic education to young and old, and hosting fundraisers and private events, the Music Hall is a testament to the necessity of arts in local culture and the strength of a community's resolve.

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Suncook Village

9780738557526

$24.99

Located within the boundaries of the towns of Allenstown and Pembroke, Suncook, first granted as a township in 1728, has developed a rich history all its own. Railroad transportation was instrumental to the establishment and growth of three large textile mills. The first railroad system, the Concord and Portsmouth line, began in 1852. A second line, the Suncook Valley Railroad, followed in 1869. Drawn by advertisements in Canadian newspapers, French Canadian workers began migrating from Quebec in large numbers. By the late 1800s, Suncook had become known as "le Petit Canada." The power of the Suncook and Merrimack Rivers, scenic beauty in the area, and the connectivity brought through transportation helped transform a small industrial village into a vibrant and lasting community.