Day Tripping | The Days of County Farms

Life on the County Farm; an image in the current exhibit at the Laconia Public Library presented by the Laconia Historical and Museum Society.

Day Tripping | The Days of County Farms

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

When miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, in the classic story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, is asked to make a contribution to the poor during the holiday season, he spats, “Are there no prisons? And the Union workhouses…are they still in operation? Those who are badly off must go there.”

Sadly, in times past, workhouses, alms houses or poor farms as some called them, seemed to be the answer to care for those who had fallen on hard times.

There was no pride in being forced, due to circumstances, to enter a poor farm or almshouse. Visions of deprivation and cold and terrible work conditions came to mind and one viewed it as a last resort.

During the holiday season, when charity organizations work diligently to provide for those less fortunate, we can look back and learn more about poor farms of the 1800s and early 1900s and ask if they were really so bad. What did one living in such a place actually experience and did the Lakes Region even have a poor farm?

For the answers to those questions and a peek into the lives of some of those who lived – and some who died – at poor farms in the area, a stop at the Laconia Public Library in downtown Laconia to see the exhibit “The Belknap County Farm and Alms House” is a must.

As a library card holder at the Laconia Library, I visit often and am always on the lookout for the latest exhibit in the upper level rotunda of the library. It is here that the Laconia Historical and Museum Society holds exhibits year round. The current exhibit, which is on display until December 21, is just one of the many throughout the year that spotlight fascinating aspects of local life long ago. (The library is located at 695 North Main Street in Laconia.)

If you like facts and figures to help you get a picture of something, you will find this exhibit to your liking. (There are listings on such things as the names of those who died at the Belknap County Farm.) If, like me, you are curious what the farm was like on a day-to-day basis, you’ll get answers at this exhibit.

As I started to browse the displays, I saw information and a death certificate for Belknap Farm resident Rebecca, a woman from Barnstead NH who was born in 1835. At the age of 33 she began living at the County Farm, and remained there for 52 years, passing away at age 85. I wondered what was her story? Why did she live there for so long?

I had to ask myself if perhaps the farm and those like it that served the poor were not always the frightening places of old-time fiction. If Rebecca lived there most of her adult life, could it be that the conditions were good enough for her to stay? Or was she ill of mind or body and had no choice but to reside at a place where she could receive care?

More information on the County Farm tells us that from 1873 to 1913, the place was run by a supervisor and his wife. They lived and worked on the farm, with the help of its residents. Further, we are told that it was “a thriving community that produced crops, sold lumber and raised livestock. Some inmates lived and worked on the farm productively for many, many years.”

It was a huge operation, and the residents of the farm, which was located in Laconia, were active in building the house and other structures, cutting 150,000 feet of lumber for the construction.

What caused a person or a family to enter such a farm? The reasons were varied and ranged from financial loss of home and no work to provide for oneself to ill health or aging without family to care for the person, to serving out a jail sentence to a mental illness making one unable to function in society. It must be remembered that in the 1800s and early 1900s, such circumstances were handled and looked upon much differently than today. The mentally ill were often hidden away by families and likely feared by many. The aged were usually cared for and lived with extended families in those days, but if that was not possible, where else could one turn for care and housing when elderly and poor and in failing health? Able-bodied men and probably women who had broken the law were excellent candidates to serve out their sentence on the farm, where they could provide labor for all sorts of chores. Families fallen on hard times may have had no other option but to live on the farm, where they would at least have room and board for their children.

None of these reasons for residing on the County Farm were ideal and it is likely there was stigma attached to living there, but in the time before welfare services, such places offered an alternative and sometimes a salvation for the poor.

 The exhibit offers some old medical equipment and tells us a Dr. Mace was concerned with sanitary conditions of County Farm inmates and pushed to see improvements, such as drainage and ventilation systems, bathtubs and water closets as well as replacing the water supply.

Jobs at the farm, once a person was settled in their new living space, were separated by gender. Generally, the women worked in the farmhouse and helped with baking, cleaning and sewing and laundry. The men worked outside at the many farm chores; should they come to the farm with special skills in such things as carpentry or blacksmithing, they worked on the property in those trades. During the winter, work continued with the men cutting trees and doing other non-field related jobs.

An old black and white photo shows us an elderly woman in a field at the County Farm. She stands beside a dairy cow, and she is grinning and appears to be patting the cow; two youngsters can be seen in the distant background. She does not seem to be downtrodden or unhappy, and it offers a rare glimpse into perhaps a typical day on the farm.

Places like the Belknap County Farm, and many, many others all over the state, came into being when Legislature in 1886 authorized counties to purchase farms and houses to care for “county paupers”. In the early 1800s and well into the following decades, there was a general feeling that being poor was a result of a character deficiency and such people could be reformed by working on a farm. Today we know differently, and that falling on hard times is usually due to economic reasons instead of because a person is of bad character. Further, housing the poor with those in need of mental health treatment or those serving a prison sentence would be unheard of today.

Eventually, the exhibit tells us, after the social changes as an outcome of the Civil War, entrance into a poor house/farm became voluntary.

In Laconia, the County Farm had originally been an insane asylum, built in 1835. By 1871, the original buildings were destroyed by fire, and the county built a two-story house for “the insane, the poor, the infirm, as well as people who had committed criminal acts.” Further reform happened around the start of the 1900s when the County Farm realized the need of separating the “passively insane” from “paupers”.

By the 1960s, a portion of the farm’s land was sold and the practice of housing people at the County Farm was phased out.

The exhibit offers a fascinating – if sometimes poignant – look at what life was like on the County Farm. I found the section with a long list of the names, ages and causes of death of the poor and infirm at the farm to be particularly poignant.

Among the facts and figures in the exhibit, one cannot help but read between the lines. Did people dislike living on the farm? What was it like for children? Were the caretakers compassionate? What did it take to get out of residing in the County Farm?

And in this holiday season, another question surfaces. How did they celebrate Christmas at the County Farm? Who knows if any information exists on what happened on December 25 at the farm? Hopefully, there was turkey and a mince pie and maybe even the singing of a carol or two to mark the day.

We do know that the County Farm in Laconia was one of many around the state. Another farm was located in Merrimack County in the Boscawen area, and others existed as well. Smaller poor farms were located around the state. One such poor farm was near present-day Ellacoya State Park in Gilford.

We have come a long way from the days of Ebenezer Scrooge and shunning the poor. In order to continue to move forward, exhibits such as the one, thoughtfully organized and on display at the Laconia Public Library, are well worth stopping to view.

(The Belknap County Farm and Alms House exhibit will be on view until December 21; for more information, call 527-1278 or go to www.laconiahistory.org.)

Marvelous Meredith Historical Society

Day Tripping

Marvelous Meredith Historical Society

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

It’s a place I had always wanted to visit. The big display windows at the front of the building are chock full of interesting items. On view are intriguing things that made me want to see more, but I always seemed to be on my way elsewhere. 

Meredith Historical Society Museum

However, my luck changed on a hot July day when I was in Meredith and saw the open flag was out in front of the Meredith Historical Society Museum. 

I have been to many historical society museums all over the Lakes Region and beyond and I have to say they all are pretty good. My expectations are generally not too high when I visit these places, because I know they operate on minimal budgets, with mostly volunteer staff. However, each and every museum I have visited more than meets expectations and I am always surprised at the quality and depth of exhibits and the interesting items on display.

The Meredith Historical Society at 45 Main Street in Meredith is no exception. I was treated to a wonderful visit with each area, each wall space and display case full of interesting items. From an early mover and shaker in the development of the town to an exhibit of artwork by the town’s folk artist extraordinaire, the museum is a great place to visit.

Meredith Historical Society President, Karen Thorndike, greeted me and she was eager to show me what is on display this summer and to share the unusual and fun tidbits of information about the town over the years.

“This building was once the town’s post office and in the 1960s and 70s, it was an auto museum. Our current exhibits encompass two floors and we also offer an area where people can do genealogy research,” said Karen. 

She had a lot to say about Seneca Ladd, the founder of local Meredith Village Savings Bank. He did a tremendous amount of good for the town and there is a display with photos of Seneca, his wife and other items that help tell the story of life as it once was in Meredith. He lived from 1819 to 1892 and had a manufactory of pianofortes and melodeons in the building that is now the Historical Society’s museum. An old photograph on display shows the stately home where Ladd resided and it is a large, beautiful building. A charming painting depicts the SA Ladd building in winter, with horses and wagons parked outside. In the background is what I assume to be Ladd’s home and just up the hill, a whitewashed typical New England church. 

Seneca seems like someone we would all have enjoyed knowing. He had a deep interest in all sorts of things, and among them was our earth; he was known as an amateur geologist and archeologist. In an old photo, he appeared to be an imposing figure, with thick, unruly hair and piercing eyes. Skilled in all sorts of things, Ladd noticed his employees in the manufactory were not the best at managing their money. He decided to start a mutual savings bank to help people organize and save money; in 1869 Ladd and some associates opened Meredith Village Savings Bank. The bank’s safe remains in the building today and is a unique part of the museum. Among the collection at the museum is a melodeon made by the Seneca Ladd Manufacturing Company. It is on display at the museum. 

Drawing of townsman Caleb Towle

One of the things I love about the museum is the homage paid to the town’s unusual citizens. One such citizen, who is highlighted in a display space on the second floor, is Caleb Towle. Hardworking Caleb was born in 1767 and owned a property called Caleb’s Clearing in Meredith. He built a log cabin on the land and later, a frame house. Caleb and his brother were among those who signed an early petition to have “Centre-Harbour” broken off from New Hampton. This was done in 1797 and Caleb was later among the 11 original members of the Centre Harbor Congregational Church. But it was Caleb’s unusual size - it is said he weighed about 515 pounds - that created his local fame. He stood 5 feet, 10 inches and a special chair was made to accommodate his size. Caleb was beloved in the town and was known as a hardworking, active citizen with a “jovial spirit.” In a display at the museum, there is a drawing of Caleb, decked out in his finery and nearby, a pair of very large trousers it is said he once wore.

Perhaps my favorite display was the paintings on the stairwell going to the second floor. My eye was immediately drawn to the folk-art style of the paintings, some landscapes and some portraits. Karen, when asked, told me about the artist, Freda Weeks. It seems Freda used her considerable art talent to capture in her paintings, a variety of local people. My absolute favorite was a painting of a little elderly lady wearing a fine hat with a large feather. It is an absolute gem of a picture, as is the portrait of a local man smoking a pipe. “Freda was a Meredith artist and she passed away over 20 years ago. She painted local scenes, such as a church, the village and even the dump!” said Karen. 

Admittedly, I was fascinated with Freda and later searched the internet for information on the local woman. I found some information about her, and the most interesting was an article in the Boston Globedated 1949. There was a photo of an attractive Freda sitting in front of her painting called “Christ Blessing Little Children.” The painting, the article related, was to be unveiled at a Palm Sunday Boston church service. 

Elsewhere in the museum, a display of Dudley Leavitt was also interesting. Dudley, who lived from 1772 to 1851, was born in New Hampshire. By the time he moved to Meredith, he was a teacher and farmer. As if that wasn’t enough, Dudley began publishing Leavitt’s Farmers Almanack, among the nation’s earliest farmer’s almanacs. As can be imagined, the almanac was very popular with farmers all over the area.

Dudley Leavitt

Dudley was quite an asset to Meredith and he is given a good spot in the museum where his story continues to be told for everyone. He was as much a mover and shaker in the town as Seneca Ladd; Dudley also opened and ran a school and taught until he was elderly. It was a matter of pride for former students to say they had been educated at Leavitt’s school.

The list of items in this special museum is way too numerous to include in one story. If you like unusual items that speak of the origins of a town, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Meredith Historical Society Museum. And if you like the “real” stories of locals, such as Caleb, Dudley, Seneca and Freda and how they lived, this is the place to learn more.

The Society also has a charming barn museum called the Farm Museum/Pottle Meeting House located at 61 Winona Road and open Saturdays until Columbus Day from noon to 4 pm.

The Main Street Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday until Columbus Day weekend from 11 am to 4 pm.

For more information, call 603-279-1190 or visit www.mhsweb.org.

Woodsy and Wonderful: Field Fine Art Studio

Woodsy and Wonderful: Field Fine Art Studio

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

The days of summer are fleeting, and when the forecast calls for sun and warm temperatures, one must take advantage and explore unknown areas. 

Thus it was that I decided to drive to the Sandwich, New Hampshire area for a hike on a trail that looked like fun. I never explored the trail - I got wonderfully distracted when I instead discovered Kathryn Field Fine Art Studio on a quiet country road in Sandwich. (A sign on the rural road announcing a yard sale or farm stand or shop are like magnets to me. If someone who lives way out in the country has taken the time to create a shop, I am always appreciative enough to stop out of curiosity. But as a lover of art, I certainly could not resist a sign pointing to a side road for an art studio.)

As I traveled through the pretty little village of Sandwich, I drove by the Tappan Chair shop (another great place), and continued on to Taylor Road. This is a beautiful area with rolling fields, old farmhouses and that rural tranquility I so appreciate. 

I was looking for a particular hiking trail and didn’t much care if I got a bit lost because the nice, sunny afternoon stretched before me. That is when I spotted a colorful sign in the shape of an artist’s palette with the words “Field Fine Art”. On impulse I made a turn and headed down a side road even deeper into the woods, which led to a wonderful art studio and the multi-talented Kathryn Field, who is the epitome of a busy, working artist.

Artist Kathryn Field

Kathryn maintains a studio in a building adjacent to the home she shares with her husband in the private setting. If one wanted to get away from it all way out in the woods, this would be how to do it. And yet, Kathryn is anything but a hermit. Her studio is often filled with students taking the variety of workshops she offers to the public.

On the day I visited, Kathryn was busy in her studio preparing for an upcoming exhibit. She met me in the yard with a welcoming smile and an invitation to come to the studio. Admittedly, my visit was a bit unusual in that I just happened upon the place, but it is advisable to call ahead (contact information at the end of this story). Luckily Kathryn had the time on this particular day to show me her artwork and explain about the summer workshops she is gearing up to present.

Kathryn’s studio is a huge, bright space with a tall ceiling where she works on a variety of projects. It is also where students can spread out with supplies to do watercolors, prints and drawings when taking a class.

When I visited, Kathryn was working on a large oil painting of sun filtering through trees. It was a beautiful painting and she said it is for her upcoming exhibit at the Museum of the White Mountains in Plymouth, New Hampshire. 

The walls are filled with Kathryn’s paintings and here and there a sculpture is placed, showing the range of her art skills. “I was educated at Temple University's Tyler School of Art, and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison,” she explained. “I started as a jeweler but switched to sculpture.” 

Sculpture was clearly her first love and she taught sculpture and design at Ohio State University, Washington University in St. Louis, the School of the Chicago Art Institute, Western Michigan University and Lake Forest College. After moving to New Hampshire, Kathryn was a lecturer in art at Plymouth State College and taught for many years at the Holderness School.

“I have been painting for 20 years,” she explained. “First I did watercolors and then oils.” For two years, Kathryn lived in Australia, where she was fortunate to study with talented painters. During that time, she also taught and she speaks of her time in Australia with great fondness.

After returning to the United States, Kathryn lived and worked in Sandwich. Teaching has always been part of her life, with a desire to share and pass on the skills she has to others who want to create. “We moved to Sandwich full time in 1999,” she said. “The land is a family property and we built our house and the studio here. I was working on commissions and thought that my studio seemed really big for just me, so I decided to open it up for workshops.”

The studio is indeed perfect for classes, but Kathryn includes use of the beautiful property surrounding her home and studio as well. She invited me to take a walk and I soon saw why this would be a more-than-perfect place for plein air painting. The large flower garden, and the soft green lawns around the home, offer a variety of scenic spots any artist would love. An old stone wall runs along the back of the property, and in the distance more fields seem to roll on to meet the mountains.

“When it’s nice weather my students can set up outside or if it’s rainy, they can paint on the screened porch of my house,” Kathryn told me. I spotted a large sculpture at the edge of the field and asked her about it. “Let’s go take a look,” she invited. Near the stone wall is placed a large sculpture that Kathryn created, titled “Balance”. It is modern and graceful and yet fits well in the wooded setting.

Kathryn works full time as an artist and has crafted a life anyone would envy, but she has achieved it by dedication to her art practice and a willingness to focus solely on art and teaching. “A typical day for me is exercising in early morning and then getting right into the studio for six or seven hours.” It might sound like fun and games, but in reality it is hard work to maintain that focus and skill to complete not just any painting, but rather to create successful, top-notch works of art. Along with painting, Kathryn puts time into marketing her work and creating and publicizing the workshops she offers throughout the year.

The workshops are well-thought-out and geared for areas of art her students wish to explore. “Usually the classes are made up of six to eight people. This gives everyone room to spread out and get lots of individual attention. I have a number of returning students and some are summer people from as far away as New York and North Carolina,” said Kathryn.

This summer, she is offering a variety of classes, including a Watercolor Portraits Workshop on July 2 and 3 and also on July 26 and 27; Landscapes in Watercolor on July 18 or July 6 and 7; an August class will be offered on August 13 and 14. Handmade and Altered Books will take place on July 23; Introduction to Printmaking is scheduled for July 11 or July 21. The nice thing about these classes is that all materials are provided. Students only need to bring their lunch, which is a relaxed meal on Kathryn’s porch or outside if the weather is fine.

With the skills of a true, dedicated teacher, Kathryn has taught students as young as age three and as elderly as age 94. “I like to say I can teach anyone to draw,” she added with a smile.

Off site, she spends a lot of time teaching as well. This summer, she will be at the Sandwich Children’s Center to teach clay and collage classes. At the Center Sandwich Fine Craft Gallery at Sandwich Home Industries she will be offering a Drawing Animals and Nature class on July 28.

Surrounded by the beauty of fall foliage on Kathryn’s property, autumn workshops will offer a wonderful time of year to take a watercolor or other class; Kathryn also offers private classes for those who cannot attend the scheduled workshops.

Along with her busy teaching life, Kathryn works daily on her own art and is represented by Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery in Center Sandwich, and Brothers Gallery in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. She is currently busy with work to be shown in a November 5 to December 13 exhibit at the Museum of the White Mountains, titled “Walking in the Whites: A Poet/Painter Dialogue”. Kathryn’s visual art will be shown with the poetry of Tim Muskat. Visitors will experience a sense of place, through poetry and paintings focused on the experience of the White Mountains. An opening reception will take place on November 5 from 4 to 6 pm.

Upcoming this summer, Kathryn will also be a featured stop on a unique Summer Garden Tour. The July 20 event is presented by Cackleberries Garden & Gift Shop and will run from 9 am to 3 pm. Nine beautiful gardens in Sandwich and Holderness will be on the tour, with proceeds from the admission price going to two local charities. This will be a great chance to see Kathryn’s garden and also to visit her studio. (For tickets, visit www.cackleberriesgardencenter.com.) 

The days of summer are indeed fleeting. When a nice summer or fall day is upon us, put aside your chores and just get in the car and drive. You might find yourself on a rural road with someone interesting waiting to share their shop with you. And if you are exceptionally fortunate, you might find yourself in a wooded, wonderful place where creativity is encouraged and the world of art awaits.

For information on classes and Kathryn’s art, visit https://fieldfineart.weebly.com/, email KathrynFieldFineArt@gmail.com or call 603-273-1326.

Remembering the Civil War at the Tamworth History Center

Remembering the Civil War at the Tamworth History Center

Story & photos Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

If you want to learn about the Civil War, there are thousands of books on the subjects. They give facts and figures, such as how many men perished in which battles, and the dates and names of camps and officers.

But if you want to know the human side of the war, and how it crept into the lives of local people, you won’t want to miss a visit to the Tamworth History Center on 25 Great Hill Road in Tamworth. (The road is in the downtown area, quite near the Barnstormer’s Theatre.)

The Laker often gets press information from the History Center and I have been curious about what the place might offer. On a blustery Friday in June, I decided to venture off Route 25 (I was on my way to North Conway) and visit the Tamworth History Center. I was aware they were presenting an exhibit this summer on the Civil War and also gathering information from anyone who had a relative from Tamworth who fought in that war. 

A call to the Center put me in touch with Bob McLean, curator. Although the Center was not open on that particular Friday, Bob was available and happily met me to talk about the Civil War project and to show me around the exhibit.

Before we toured the exhibit, Bob filled me in on some history of the building and the Tamworth History Center’s origins. “The Tamworth Historical Society formed in 1952,” he explained. “From the start, it was an active group. In around 2012, I joined. A few years ago, it was suggested we change the name from the Tamworth Historical Society to the Tamworth History Center, because we are more than a historical society. We also focus on education and involvement with the village.”

The group purchased a house in the center of the village that dates from 1830. It had a number of owners over the years, and was used as a residence, offices and apartments through the decades. When the History Center acquired the building, it needed repairs as many old structures do. The group targeted a part of the building - the first-floor entrance and exhibit rooms - to renovate with plans to renovate other parts of the building in the future. The result is a wonderful, bright and welcoming space with polished wood floors and great exhibit areas. 

“We finished the repairs and opened in 2016,” Bob explained. “Our first summer, we had an eclectic mix/theme on exhibit. Last year, we presented an exhibit of White Mountain artists, which was very popular. This year, we will be offering the exhibit on Tamworth in the Civil War.”

It is a far-reaching subject, but the exhibit manages to educate about the overall effects of the war, and the battles. It also goes well beyond those facts and offers us a look at how the terrible conflict impacted local families. In large part, we now know the local, human-interest side of the Civil War due to Bob and the work he has done on the subject.

It turns out Bob is a treasure trove of Civil War information, and he is just the kind of person I relish speaking with; he makes local history come alive not by statistics, but rather by relating stories of real people. When Bob and his wife moved to Tamworth in 1996, he found himself in an area steeped in history. 

“I was in a ‘Civil War mood’ and I studied the names of local soldiers on the town’s Civil War monument,” Bob said. (These are men who perished in the war.) 

That was the beginning of a project that brought all sorts of information to light as Bob researched names and families and when men left Tamworth to fight far away. “I studied the names on the monument and it grew from there,” he says. 

In sharing information on the Civil War and Tamworth, Bob began by saying that each town had a draft requirement goal to meet. Recruiting offices sprang up in each town, and local men knew they would each be given a $300 payment when signing up. (The payment was split into two installments of $150 each, and was something much needed by many struggling families.) Most men who joined up were in their 20s and 30s, with the oldest being in their 40s. 

After signing up, the men received orders of where to go and were given free passage on a railroad to get to the training camps. “Each state had training camps,” Bob said. “And by the way, we cannot discount the impact the railroads had on the war. The north had a lot of railroads, making it easier to move troops. The south had fewer railroads.”

Civil War uniforms in the exhibit.

In doing his research, Bob gathered a lot of information and decided to write up what he discovered. He did research at the local library and traveled all over Tamworth to locate cemeteries and the final resting places of those who fought in the Civil War. His work was extensive and he started to divide up the information, such as local Tamworth doctors in the war, the recruiting system, the battles fought, etc. This included the names, and it is the names of real, local people that bring home to us the impact of the war.

“I found a lot of interesting information,” Bob agreed. “Some of it was unexpected, such as the story of David M. Gilman from Tamworth. Actually, that is new information, and I just learned about it three months ago.”

David Gilman started his service in the Civil War as a private. He was wounded and sent home to Tamworth to recover. In 1864, he was healthy enough to return to duty and made a captain. It was then that he oversaw men from the “U.S. Colored Troops”. (The name “Colored” is considered offensive today, but was typical wording of the Civil War time period.) The troops was comprised of about 200,000 former slaves and free men, all of whom were non-white. All of the officers were white, and Bob shook his head when he says, “In tough battles, the ‘Colored Troops’ were sent in first.” Gilman survived and returned to Tamworth. 

It makes one wonder how a man from a non-integrated place such as tiny Tamworth would have handled the command. Had he ever seen a non-white person before the war? Did he make friends among the soldiers under his command? How did those troops feel about Gilman? There is no way to know, but Bob’s research brings the human side of the war front and center.

I asked Bob why Tamworth men signed up for a conflict so very far away. Most had no experience with slavery, so was it the reason they fought? Bob said, “I think they really believed slavery was wrong. And also, President Lincoln was a master of persuasion.”

As we began to tour the Civil War exhibit, Bob stopped at a glass case holding old photo portraits of a young husband and wife. He said this is a poignant story of the war, and relates that the couple were from Tamworth. “The man was Ira Blake and the young woman was Lucy Blake,” he told me. Lucy had a great skill as a writer and when Ira was fighting far away in the war, she wrote to him constantly. 

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Lucy Blake, wife of Tamworth Civil War soldier.

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Tamworth resident, Ira Blake, a Civil War soldier.

Ira was a sharp shooter and was wounded in 1864. The couple had a 1 ½ year old child, and Lucy left the baby in the care of relatives so she could travel to the hospital in Alexandria, Virginia to nurse her husband. She was a kindly person and while caring for Ira, she stepped in and also helped care for other wounded soldiers. What she must have seen after her quiet life in rural Tamworth one can only guess. She did write of her experiences while there; sadly, Ira died from his wounds in the fall of 1864. She returned to Tamworth and waited for her husband’s body to be transported home for burial. Lucy never remarried, but her journals are part of the exhibit and bring home just one story of the hardships of war. 

“The librarians at the Cook Library here in Tamworth were very moved by the story of Ira and Lucy and they put on a reading using the couple’s letters. I must tell you that by the end of the presentation, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” said Bob.

Many of the wonderful items in the exhibit are from the collection of Jim Sutherland, who grew up in Tamworth. A partial list of items on display are two military uniforms of Union soldiers, old photographs, gear for a typical soldier, including a tin cup and plate and crude utensils, and guns and swords. 

Whether you are from Tamworth or just visiting the area on vacation, the exhibit is a must-see. And if you had a relative from Tamworth who served in the Civil War, the Tamworth History Center members would love to hear from you. Information from the Center asks, “Do you and your family have photos, belongings, or stories passed down, relating to a Tamworth ancestor who served in the Civil War, or to life in town in the 1860s? We want to tell the stories of Tamworth veterans’ families who still live here. Did your ancestor return home after the war? Did he move west, with or without family members? How else did his experience affect the family? Did your family farm here languish, or grow? Did your forbears start new ventures further west? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Bob McLean, and Becca Boyden, Chris Clyne and Michelle Longley want to hear from you. (Becca specializes in curating family genealogies and stories. Michelle is a researcher and exhibit designer.)

Contact via email: tamworthhistorical@gmail.com.

Exterior of the Tamworth History Center.

From a young man who traveled far away and commanded a group of former slaves to the story of a young couple forever separated by war, the stories of the Civil War live on. The exhibit at the Tamworth History Center ensures that we remember those who served and their very human stories.

The Tamworth History Center is open Memorial Day to Columbus Day on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. During July and August, the Center also is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Call 603-323-2911 for information.

Back on the Trail at the Science Center

Back on the Trail at the Science Center

Story and photos by Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

We’ve all heard the saying that you’re never too old to learn something new. I never thought much about that philosophy until a recent visit to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness.

For years, the Science Center was the place I took my son and daughter in the summer and fall. Especially in the summer, the Science Center held great appeal because we could be outside and walk a nice trail and see lots of animals we could never hope to observe otherwise. 

Now that my kids are grown and living and working elsewhere I have not had as many opportunities to spend an afternoon at the Science Center. But when my daughter Megan called and said she was coming home for a visit a few weeks ago, she mentioned she really wanted to go to the Science Center. I think it holds a lot of great memories for her, as well offering a place for a nice, long walk on the trail. 

She chose well because the weather on the Thursday we made our way to Holderness was sunny and breezy. The June sky was bright blue and full of fluffy clouds, making it a perfect Lakes Region day for any outdoor activity.

We found ample parking in the large lot and made our way to the gift shop for tickets. The first thing I always noticed and something that impressed me is how clean and beautiful everything is at the Center. The buildings remind me of visiting an Adirondack style home, and they fit well in the wooded setting. There is no trash as on trails I have taken in other places, and I believe those who visit are respectful of the fact that this is a place animals reside. The animals deserve to live in a good, safe environment and the Science Center is truly a place where they come first, which is as it should be.

Charming sculpture at Kirkwood Garden

We started our walk on the Live Animal Exhibit Trail at the Wood Energy building/area where we learned some information about wood burning and energy. Next was the Life Underground building, where we saw displays on microscopic creatures that live under the soil. It seems these creatures grind, tear, and shred dead plants, which is very helpful. Their work decomposes plant and animal material and recycles nutrients, which all helps with air and moisture. (This was something of which I was completely unaware.)

There was also information on the burrows that chipmunks need to thrive. Although humans are unaware, chipmunks live under ground and create tunnels and passageways that are three or more feet deep. It is here they have shelter, and it is where they raise their young and are protected from predators.

We also got information in this area of the trail on bats and the dreaded White Nose Syndrome that can devastate the bat population. (There is information on what you can do to help the bats, such as building a bat house in your yard and planting a pollinator garden to attract food for bats.)

The Water Matters Pavilion is a beautiful space that fits into the wooded setting. Inside the building there are huge aquariums with all sorts of fish, and displays about the water cycle and ice on the lakes and ponds. Also included is information about loons and the industrious beaver population. 

Before we entered the next portion of the trail, with live animals in natural enclosures, there was a large sign with a headline asking, “Why Do We Exhibit Native Wildlife?” It is worth sharing some of that information, so the reader understands the Science Center philosophy. “We view these animals as ambassadors for their species and exhibit them in natural settings so visitors can appreciate their beauty, observe their behavior, and better understand their lives.”

If you have wondered where the animals come from, the sign also explains, “Most of the animals exhibited at the Science Center are here because they are unable to survive in the wild. Some are orphans and cannot take care of themselves. Others were injured and are unable to catch their food or escape from predators.”

The coyote display gives all sorts of fascinating facts about the animal. We are shown coyote tracks and given a device to listen to the call of the coyote. The natural enclosure offers the coyote a huge space with a large glass observation window. It gives us a chance to see the animals at a distance, but close enough to really observe these animals in a natural setting.

Next was information on moose (and a giant moose carving in the greenery that was pretty realistic!), and fox and fisher cats. 

Out of everything we saw on the trail, our favorite hands-down was the bobcat and mountain lion areas. I was interested to see how similar the bobcat is in its mannerisms to a house cat, although I am quite sure it would be a different story to confront one of the majestic creatures! 

The majestic Mountain Lion

The most fascinating animal we saw and the place we spent the most time was at the mountain lion area. We were visiting in the afternoon, and many of the animals were taking a post-lunchtime rest, as was the mountain lion. But the huge animal opted to take its rest at the front of its natural enclosure, leaning up against the window. We got to see the animal up close, although separated by the thick glass. Words can hardly describe what it was like to watch this animal as it dozed in the sun so close to us. We were amazed at how huge its paws are and how easy it would be for such an animal to fight off a predator with a swipe of a paw. When you get close enough to such an animal that you can see its eyelashes, you see nature without a filter. It was mesmerizing and we quietly watched the mountain lion. The animal was so relaxed that it sprawled on a rock and now and then opened its eyes to gaze at us.

We have always loved the deer enclosure and the chance to observe these gentle creatures and this day was no exception. Two deer were snoozing in one spot while another grazed on some grass. In the nearby building we learned a lot about deer and their life cycle. 

Not far away, we opted to get off the trail and headed to Kirkwood Gardens, also part of the Science Center. The gardens are open to the public and were looking beautiful on the sunny June day we stopped by. 

Turkey vulture

Back on the trail, visiting the otter area brought back many fond memories; my kids, when young, loved this area. Because of the clever way the otter area was built, visitors can watch the otters as they swim and then surface to rest on the rocks. The water tank can be viewed through the glass and visitors get to see the otters as they swim under water as well as on the water’s surface. There is a fun kiddie slide in this area as well, and it is always a favorite with youngsters.

We were very impressed with the fairly new Interactive Playscape and Megan commented that if she were still a kid, she would love to spend all day in the natural playground area. There was a slide, rope course, things to balance and climb on, and much more. (Any kid who visits the Science Center will get quite a workout here!)

The Gordon Children’s Center was in place when my kids were young and I was glad to see it still is on the trail. It also brought back fond memories with exhibits on two floors and lots to see and do.

Then it was on to the fascinating Black Bear area. We observed from the vantage point of the top floor of a building, two black bears in their huge natural enclosure below. One was dozing and across the huge enclosed outdoor area, the other was walking around and seemed to be more interested in exploring than taking a nap. Again, seeing these animals up close is quite a fascinating experience.

Last on the tour was the raptor area with lots of information about owls and other raptors. Viewing was through large glass enclosures and it was quite something to see the creatures, ranging from Turkey Vultures to an owl and others.

We walked over the pretty marsh boardwalk area and by a field and were soon back at the entrance. No visit is complete without a stop in the Howling Coyote Gift Shop, where we shopped for everything from books, stuffed animals, and so much more.

If you are visiting the Lakes Region for a vacation, no matter what your age, or if you are a year round resident like me who “just hasn’t been to the Science Center” in a while, I urge you to visit this summer or fall. Every time I return, I learn something new and see it all as if for the first time.

Megan commented that she has decided to make a trip to the Science Center an annual event. I suspect it is because it brings back so many fond childhood memories, as well a realization that although her little-kid days are past, she is never, ever too old to learn something new.

Another reason to visit this summer is a new exhibit called Dinosaurs Alive! It will feature five spectacular, gigantic, animatronic dinosaurs that look, move, and sound like the real thing – and one even spits! Visitors will be able to see the Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit for a limited time, from July 1 through September 30, in natural settings along the live animal exhibit trail. Dinosaurs Alive! is included in regular trail admission and free for members. 

The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located on 23 Science Center Road in Holderness. It is open daily from May 1 through November 1, 9:30 am to 5 pm (last admission is at 3:30 pm). For information, call 603-968-7194 or visit www.nhnature.org.

Grand Vacations at Grand Hotels

Grand Vacations at Grand Hotels

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Dining room display with china and menu card from the days of the Grand Hotels.

Everything about the hotels was grand and beautiful. You could escape for a week or a summer in the glorious White Mountains of northern New Hampshire when heat hit the city. You would wake each morning as the cool mountain air filled your hotel room, and your assigned maid would bring you a cup of tea or coffee and maybe buttered toast with homemade jam. Your day would begin with servants meeting your every need and it would be the same way throughout your day. From breakfast to dinner in the ornate dining room with wealthy friends and business associates, a vacation in the grand hotels of the White Mountains afforded a luxurious experience like no other in the 1800s and early 1900s.

I have always been fascinated by New Hampshire’s grand hotels and even got to experience a bit of what those Victorian-era families of wealth once enjoyed on their lengthy summer vacations. Some years ago, a magazine story assignment meant a trip to The Balsams for the day to tour the facility and have lunch. I will never forget the day and the long drive from the Lakes Region that ended when I rounded the last curve in the mountain road and suddenly the sprawling and beautiful, red tiled roof hotel was before me. I rolled down my car window and was amazed that the smell of balsam from towering trees filled the air. It was like stepping into a fairy tale world and it just got better when I sat down to “lunch” in the dining room where the attentive staff was ready to meet the diner’s every need. It was a buffet but there was enough gourmet food to feed a crowd and all of it was scrumptious. My visit offered just a glimpse at what wealthy vacationers who stayed at the grand hotels experienced each and every moment of their summer stay long ago.

When I recently learned one of my favorite places, the Museum of the White Mountains, is featuring an exhibit this summer called The Grand Hotels of the White Mountains, I had to make the drive to Plymouth to see what it was about.

The museum is located at 34 Highland Street in Plymouth and is part of Plymouth State University. Admission is free and the museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm; it is closed on Sunday. It is well worth the drive a bit “up north” from the Lakes Region to visit this museum and specifically, to see such a great exhibit.

The day I visited was a weekday morning in late May, and the gallery already saw a number of people browsing the exhibit. There is something decidedly magical about the notion of wealthy people on vacation in the Grand Hotel era. It might be why so many people are drawn to stories of the Titanic’s elite passengers. It is truly a “how the other half lives” story and sparks the imagination. The Titanic was a passenger ship and the grandest of its time, but the Grand Hotels of the White Mountains could certainly hold their own in the opulent category.

Excursions were a must for White Mountain guests.

The exhibit starts with a display by the front desk area with old photos of the huge Pemigewasset House, once the towering statement piece of the town. Opened in 1841, the hotel burned in 1862 and was rebuilt in 1863 and ran until it again burned, this time in 1910. From 1912 to 1957 it served the public after being rebuilt, but closed when times changed. The photos show just how grand and sprawling the hotel once was as a place passengers stopped when the busy train service passed through Plymouth.

Large posters throughout the exhibit tell the viewer the history of the hotels, such as the Crawford House, which opened in 1850 and burned in 1859. It was rebuilt and reopened and in business for many years until it closed in 1975 and was destroyed by another fire in 1977. When it reopened for a second time (in about 1859), it was the largest hotel in the White Mountains at that time. At its busiest, it could accommodate 400 guests and covered over an acre of land. These days, the site of the former hotel is now home to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center. 

To get a further glimpse at the luxury vacations that guests experienced, an old photo of the music room at the Kearsarge House in North Conway shows us a high ceilinged room with a polished wooden floor and comfortable chairs scattered around the space. The height of luxury at the time (1860s), the hotel was illuminated by gas lights.

The Balsams opened in 1874 in Dixville Notch and it is this hotel that particularly fascinates me. Because it was so far north and travel was slow, guests were assuredly committed to stay more than a few days. In its heyday it was run by Henry S. Hale, who transformed the former rather modest hotel into something grand that could accommodate 400 guests. Visitors were treated to daily meals made from the freshest produce and meats at leisurely sit-down affairs. (Surely a vacation in the White Mountains in those days couldn’t be undertaken without expecting to gain a few pounds!) The Balsams, like most of the Grand Hotels in the area, experienced its ups and downs, such as financial hardships during World War II.

Transportation for guests at Dixville Notch.

But running a huge hotel was very expensive and when times changed and wealthy vacationers could easily travel to Europe and other places, a Grand Hotel vacation wasn’t the only choice. In 1954, the hotel faced bankruptcy and was auctioned. Purchased by Neil Tillotson, the property was transformed into a four-season resort. It operated for many years very successfully. In 2011 it was sold. 

There is a lot of information on other hotels of the White Mountains as well, and it is all quite fascinating. But equally fascinating to me are the displays that tell the human nature side of day-to-day life in the hotels. 

Bell hop uniform from Maplewood Hotel, courtesy Bethlehem Heritage Society.

A “leisure in the library” display tells us that when you were a guest at a mountain hotel, you expected comforts and entertainment. Boredom was not allowed! Rich furnishings in lobbies, lounges, reading and writing rooms and music salons where guests met and mingled was a necessity. Such leisure-time displays as a mini library with books of the time period and an old bingo card from the Mountain View House show a few ways gentrified guests passed the summer hours when bad weather might keep them indoors: writing letters to those far away and playing cards and games with other guests.

There are also bits of information on some of the Grand Hotel managers and owners. One early hotel couple, William and Mary Jane Dodge, opened their home to weary stagecoach passengers on a rainy summer night in 1865. Those lucky guests enjoyed the hospitality and surroundings so much that they prevailed upon the couple to open their home the following summer. This inspired the Dodges to put an addition on their farmhouse and open it as an inn. The house/inn got larger over the years, and it must have been a great place to stay due to the welcome of William and Mary Jane. The inn grew and grew and today, it is The Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa, a popular place for guests to stay at any time of the year. 

William and Mary Jane’s black-and-white photos are on display in the exhibit and their story is a testament to the hardworking farmers and others who were clever enough to turn modest homes into inns. This in turn, opened the White Mountains to travelers and eventually, the Grand Hotels.

Beautiful paintings by talented artists show the grandeur of White Mountain landscapes. Such artists at Benjamin Champney, whose “Mt. Kearsarge from Diana’s Bath” painting done in 1877, adorn the walls of the museum. For decades, popular artists spent summers painting and staying at hotels among the mountains and selling their artwork to wealthy hotel guests. 

The less talked about side of White Mountain Grand Hotels is the story of the waiters and waitresses, bell hops, cooks, maids and others who worked at lodging establishments all over the area. While the wealthy vacationed in style, it was these workers who made all that possible. 

I was fascinated by a lengthy typed list of do’s and don’ts for staff at the Maplewood Club dining room. From rules on attire for waitstaff, such as the expectation that uniforms and aprons be spotless and well-pressed to the requirement that shoes have rubber heels, the dress code was strict. No painted fingernails and little makeup were allowed. No socializing was allowed and waitstaff could not talk among themselves while on duty. No leaning against walls, touching your own hair, no gossiping, and eating for staff was only allowed in the Help’s Dining Room. The list went on and on for a number of pages and is a glimpse into just what staff did in those days to keep a job…and to always ensure the guests were happy.

A table set with china of the time period and a menu card on display bring the past with all its luxuries to life. The menu card lists such foods at Broiled Sardines on Toast, Potatoes Normande, Fillet Mignon, Corn Starch Pudding with Cream, Mocha Cake and Wine Jelly. Some of these foods would not find their way onto the table of any eatery today, but at the time they were accepted fare for wealthy people.

Another display tells of a less than pleasant part of life among the Grand Hotels long ago. We are told that Jewish guests were not welcome to stay at the Wentworth Hotel and Cottages. The owner had the tables turned on him when a wealthy Jewish man from New York - Nathan Amster - purchased the hotel. It seemed that Mr. Amster was turned away when he tried to check in to the hotel due to his Jewish heritage. He got the last laugh when he bought the hotel and changed the rule so that only Jewish people were welcome at the resort!

One of the more poignant displays at the museum is a large photo of a group of female employees taken around 1915. It is from an old employee photo album of The Balsams in Dixville Notch. We see six women dressed in dark uniforms with white aprons and collars. They lean against a stair rail, and one woman stares off to her right, while the others gaze directly at the camera. Perhaps they were catching a much-needed break in an employee’s-only designated area and someone with a camera captured the moment.

Portrait of waitstaff at The Balsams, circa 1915, Stephen Barba collection.

The exhibit is a must-see for anyone fascinated with the White Mountain Grand Hotel era. You will learn a lot about the many hotels that once dotted the northern New Hampshire landscape and all aspects of vacationing in the area.

Everything about the Grand Hotels was indeed grand and ornate. Times have changed and we don’t normally experience vacations in this manner any longer, but a visit to the Museum of the White Mountains will take you back, if only for an hour or so, to a time when luxury ruled.

An extensive list of lectures is scheduled for the summer focusing on the exhibit, such as the June 19 program titled “Grand Hotels as Summer Rituals” from 5:30 to 7 pm. For information on the programs, and the Museum of the White Mountains, visit https://www.plymouth.edu/mwm/ or call 603-535-3210. 

Fascinating, Lovely and Unique Littleton

Fascinating, Lovely and Unique Littleton

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Littleton is unique. There’s something different (in a good way) about the town. Is it the old buildings that cluster in the downtown area, seeming to crop up from nowhere in the mysterious mountains? Is it the artsy feeling that lends a creative vibe to many of the shops? Is it the variety of shopping, or the many little eateries, or simply the fact that you can find so much that would seem to belong in a larger city right in this town in the White Mountains that draws me to the area?

It is all those things – and more - that make Littleton, NH a great place to visit. I have been there a number of times; once because my daughter’s high school softball team played the Littleton high school team and my husband and I made the drive north from the Lakes Region. On that first visit, I was puzzled to see so much in a seemingly isolated area. We got off I-93, after traveling through the Cannon Mt/Old Man area and there we were, in downtown Littleton with its wonderful shops. In the outlying area of the downtown, there were some big box stores and that surprised me a bit too. 

“There is so much here,” I probably observed to my family as we toured the town. I was curious enough to make another trip and then another and another. I have seen the area in summer and winter, but on my last trek, it was a wintery day and snow flurries seemed to be the order of the afternoon.

Although this is a winter issue, the things I did and saw are just as applicable to a nice summer or autumn day because many of the shops are open year round.

The day I visited, my daughter, Megan, and I were on a typical let’s-just-get-in-the-car-and-see-where-we-end-up type of day. We started with a pancake breakfast (with real maple syrup of course!) at Polly’s Pancake Parlor in on Rt. 117 in Sugar Hill (off I-93). It is among our favorite places for the old-timey décor and atmosphere with beautiful views and incredibly delicious foods. 

After a filling feast, we decided to get back on I-93 north and head to Littleton. My daughter likes to poke around in trendy shops and I like arts and crafts, so it seemed likely we would find everything we hoped for in Littleton and we weren’t disappointed.

There is nothing like seeing the Old Man of the Mountains/Echo Lake/Cannon Mountain area and there probably never will be, in my opinion. You can get some good views of the mountains as you drive through the “Notch” area, but there are a number of places where you can get off the highway to explore the scenic sights.

Past the Notch, we drove on to Littleton and headed for the downtown Main Street. Parking is plentiful and we easily found a spot - quite close to Thayer’s Hotel, an historic, large business that has always intrigued me. As we locked the car, I told my daughter, “We’re going to explore that place before we head home today.” She gazed at the white columned inn and I saw her eyes light up with curiosity. She nodded, and said, “It does look kind of interesting.”

With no particular plan in mind, we ambled through a sporting goods store and into a bookstore with a wide variety of titles. 

We browsed around and found ourselves at the League of NH Craftsmen - Littleton Fine Craft Gallery at 81 Main Street on the Lower Level, not far from the bookstore. A friendly staff member greeted us and we were soon immersed in all the things the shop offers, all handmade with high quality.

I love the League shops and the organization because it promotes the work of NH artisans and has high expectations that all work we well made. You won’t find anything in the shops that isn’t made to perfection, from pottery to woodwork to jewelry and much more. 

Back on Main Street, we noticed there are a lot of fun shops featuring second-hand items and handmade goods. As a lover of colorful paintings, I just could not walk on by a very unique gallery/shop at 33 Main Street titled Sign of the Times Art Gallery. The owner/artist Mike Bouton was painting in the shop when we visited and he was eager to chat, telling us something of his background. He specializes in creating daring and robust depictions of inner city life. His highly interpretive works portray colorful, raw emotions from every inch of canvas. While most of his works characterize “life on the street”, they are not ‘copies’ of the action.  Inspired by the style of well-known Mexican artist Diego Rivera, every one of Michael’s creations is an original-formed in the mind and heart of the artist.

A section of the popular Just L Modern Antiques in Littleton. The shop features all sorts of great mid-century modern antiques and more.

The walls were filled with his amazing paintings, so colorful and alive they seem to beg the viewer to stop and take in all their action and hues. The gallery/shop is large and paintings fill every wall space. If you visit Littleton, take the time to stop at this gallery and chat with Mr. Bouton. Then browse the unique paintings, and maybe take home a work of art. 

My all-time favorite antique/second-hand shop when in Littleton (it also ranks my top 10 shops anyplace) is Just L Modern Antiques at 35 Main Street. The shop’s “Oh my! I remember that from my childhood!” factor is huge and the day we visited the place was busy. I was amused to see Millennials oohing and ahhing over burnt-orange upholstered chairs and avocado green dinner plates like my Mom used in the 1970s. If you want a true walk down memory lane, this is the place to come.

One of the thrills of antiques shops for me is discovering something I have not seen before. Serendipitously, I had recently come across an old newspaper article on a fabulous mid-century painter named Omer Thomas Lassonde (1903 to 1980). He lived and had a painting studio in Penacook, NH and was one of the founders in the 1940s of the NH Art Association. I am a bit fascinated with Lassonde, and imagine my delight and surprise when, upon entering Just L Modern Antiques, there were some of Lassonde’s paintings for sale on a wall. To see some of the paintings of this masterful artist was certainly an unexpected treat. There were other wonderful pieces of artwork in the shop as well.

Just some of the jars of candy at the “world’s longest candy counter”, Chutters, Littleton, NH.

There always seems to be something new at the shop, and if you collect toys or kitchenware or furniture or lighting…or just about anything from the mid-century mod era or the years before or after, this is a great place to shop. 

“We have to get candy before we leave!” Megan reminded me. It seemed a great time to take a break from shopping and stop in to Chutter’s at 43 Main Street. The shop boasts “the world’s longest candy counter” -  because the row of candy jars full of oh so many candies just seems to run on and on forever. My daughter loves penny type candy and you can fill a bag with your choices at Chutter’s, as well as browsing through the large store for all sorts of gift items and fudge and more.

Of course, before we headed back to our car, we had to stop at the Littleton Public Library on Main Street to say hello to the large statue of Pollyanna, the Glad Girl. (The author of Pollyanna, Eleanor Hodgman Porter, grew up in Littleton.) It is said if you rub your hand over the Pollyanna statue’s little booted foot, you will have good luck. For us, it’s always fun to have our photos taken standing near the statue of the Glad Girl, with her big smile and arms open wide as if to embrace the world.

We decided to peek into the lobby of Thayer’s Inn at 111 Main Street just because I had always wanted to view the hotel’s interior. It is a large inn, with big columns on the front. Inside, it was a bit like stepping into a beautiful time tunnel. Everything was very well kept and it brought to mind a classy hotel of the early 1900s. The friendly hotel worker invited us to take a look around and we were intrigued with a hallway off the lobby with old photos of such politicians as Richard Nixon, who once campaigned in the area.

Historic image of Thayer’s Hotel, Littleton, NH during the gala premier of a Bette Davis event. The name of the hotel was later changed to Thayer’s Inn. (Photo courtesy Littleton Historical Museum)

With a late afternoon appointment to keep elsewhere, we had to leave Littleton, but when we come back again, we plan to stop back in to Thayer’s Inn to learn more about the historic hotel (they also have a dining room on premises.)

There is a great deal to see and do in Littleton, and we only scratched the surface. In the future, we will return and mosey around down by the riverfront area, and make a stop at the wonderful Littleton Historical Museum on Union Street in the Town Building/Opera House to see their exhibits is also on our to-do list. Indeed, this town in the mountains is full of wonderful, entertaining surprises and well worth a visit no matter the time of year.

From Baseball to Summer Hotels to Corkscrews at the Alton Historical Society

From Baseball to Summer Hotels to Corkscrews at the Alton Historical Society

Story and Photos by Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

For those that read the title of this story and thought, “I have no interest in history” and turn away from the word ‘Society,’ let me assure you there is nothing dusty or boring about the Alton Historical Society.

If you visit, all you need is a good sense of humor, some curiosity about people, and it wouldn’t help to like funky old items because there are a lot of those at the Alton Historical Society. And, it would help if you set aside an hour or two, if Bob Witham, an officer with the Society and a longtime Alton resident, just happens to be at the museum when you visit.

Town baseball teams were once popular entertainment in small towns, as attested to by this old sign.

The Alton Historical Society is open limited hours in the winter, so you can plan your visit accordingly or give them a call and they will arrange to have someone open the museum so you can look around. 

Luckily for me, a call to Bob Witham allowed a visit on a winter’s Friday afternoon. Bob met me at the Alton Library on Main Street in the downtown Alton area; the museum is on the basement level of the library. With a patient nature and a willingness to share his many memories, Bob is one of those local residents we all want to know when we have “hey, what ever happened to such-and-such?” or “who around here knowns the real story and history of that place or happening?

Bob knows a lot about Alton’s history and is a walking who’s-who of information because he was the local rural mail carrier for years. He chuckles as he recounts, “I was a brick layer and I also did heavy construction. Then I was the rural mail delivery carrier all over Alton. I drove a VW Beetle for the entire route and the roads were not in such good shape back then! But I always got the mail delivered.”

Perhaps it was all those mail deliveries on remote roads to old farmhouses and rural businesses that gave Bob a lot of background and history about the town. However he acquired his knowledge, he certainly knows a lot and loves to tour the big museum room with visitors, picking out an item here and there to talk about and relate to Alton’s people, places and happenings over the years.

“I like anything old!” he adds. “I have photographed a lot of the old homes in Alton and I am photographing the old barns in Alton now.”

When asked, as we stand in the museum room that is chock-full of fascinating old items, about Alton’s early history, Bob says he thinks Joseph Pierce built the first wood-framed building in town and then he built a big Colonial home and eventually went on to become a Congressman.

Alton school memorabilia.

Like many towns in earlier days, Alton was once a thriving industrial area, with a large corkscrew factory run by Rockwell Clough. “It was the largest corkscrew factory/company in the world at one time and it was located in downtown Alton. Clough invented a machine to help make corkscrews,” says Bob. Eventually, as was the case with many large wooden structures in olden days, the barn of the factory burned and the business died out.

A tour of the museum is not just a look at old items donated by locals, but with Bob along for the walk-through, each museum item becomes a chance for a fascinating story or a memory of a time past. He really paints a picture with words of how things were done way back when, and who did what and what contributions they made to the town. As we look at old photos of an inn, he recalls, “That was the Oak Birch Inn and it was built in the early 1900s as a summer hotel. It was lavish and it catered to the elderly who wanted to spend the summer near the lake. I recall there was a restaurant, a movie theater and a bowling alley. I remember one lady who would come and spend the whole summer at the inn.”

An old photo of the Alton Town Baseball Team brings back memories of various players on the team and then we find ourselves talking about Helen Nordquist, a local woman who played for an all-female pro softball team from which the movie “A League of Their Own” was based.

An area with old medical items leads Bob to mention, “There’s a picture of Doc Tuttle. He practiced medicine in town for 50 years.” 

The clock and other Alton items from the past.

One of the gems in the museum is a huge clock and Bob tells me it was an original clock face on the Alton Town Hall. It cannot be missed when touring the room and is a definite conversation piece due to its mammoth size!

An exhibit area features all sorts of items from the Alton school system and you needn’t have attended school in the town to enjoy all the old items. An Alton High School Band drum stands among the items, which include old class photos, sports uniforms, a 1960 basketball schedule (having grown up in a small NH town, I can attest to the fact that in the dead of winter without much else to do, basketball games provide popular entertainment for locals), and a circa 1901 Alton Central School black-and-white photo.

If you love old banners and signs, this is a great place to visit. I particularly love the old and huge pennant that hangs from a wall hook with the words Bay View Pavilion Dance Alton Bay. It is old and rustic but speaks of a time when a nice summertime dance at the Alton Bay Pavilion might see any one of a number of well-known big bands performing in the area. 

Lake memorabilia includes an early-framed sign with wording, “See Lake Winnipesaukee from the U.S. Mail Boat Tonimar” with Capt. Lawrence P. Beck. 

I was surprised to see an old poster advertising the Reptile Zoo at Alton Bay with living reptiles and baby wild animals. The zoo was said to feature snakes, lizards, giant African Land Snails, Bird Eating Spiders and even a chance to see Maggie the Baby Chimpanzee riding her bicycle! Admission for a gander at these delights was just 20 cents for adults and 15 cents for children.

One fun thing about touring the museum with Bob is the fact that although you would assume he’s seen it all, he stops now and then to marvel over something in the collection he hasn’t seen before. And often that means a memory of something fascinating associated with a photograph, an old poster or another item. 

We got chatting about when fishermen started visiting the Lakes Region to pursue the sport of ice fishing. I assumed it was a fairly new pastime, but Bob says, no, some of the big homes on Route 11D that hug the waterfront rented out rooms to ice fishermen many years ago.

That led us to talking about outlying areas of Alton, which, after all, is a large town geographically. We spoke of the West Alton area, and such places as The Pine Cupboard, a snack bar and other railroad station stops and older, architecturally interesting homes in the area that was far enough from the downtown Alton community to have created its own community center, summer cottages, and a few stores.

Bob also mentions the Clay Pipes made in East Alton, but by this time, my head was spinning with all we had talked about and seen, so I will leave that story for another day.

I should mention, before ending this day trip adventure, that those who love old lake artifacts will want to visit the museum if only to see the long wooden roller which was original to the M/S Mount Washington. It is a mammoth thing and an important piece of Lake Winnipesaukee history, showing as nothing else can, how the steamboat in the early days was “rolled” onto the lake.

If you want to hear about ice delivery (in summer as well as winter), Bob knows all about that too and has some stories to tell. If you are doing some family history research, Bob likely will know your family and probably delivered mail to them in the past. (He also says there are a lot of people tracing family history these days and the Historical Society has lots of written records that might help in searches.) If you are looking for an old barn or homestead, Bob may have taken a photo of the structure. 

The Alton Historical Society is anything but a dull-as-dust place. It is full of stories and happenings and the people who came before us that contributed so to the area. You don’t have to know the people to appreciate their stories and the items they donated to the museum. 

That was probably the mindset of a local minister who wanted to preserve Alton’s history when he started the local historical society in the 1950s. The society first was housed in a log cabin, but these days has a wonderful, permanent home within the Gilman Library on Main Street in downtown Alton. It is open from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on the third Saturday of the month or other times by appointment; visit www.altonhistoricalsociety.org for contact information. During the summer months, the Society offers meetings the third Tuesday of each month, April through September, at 7 pm, followed by a carefully-selected program on local history that is open to the public.

Read All About It!

Read All About It!

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

Once upon a time, if you wanted the local or national news, you grabbed the daily or weekly paper. Newspaper boys yelled, “Extra! Extra!” when a big story hit, and millionaire newspaper magnates like William Randolph Hearst had a sixth sense about what stories would attract the average reader.

Laconia Public Library. Photo by Bill Hemmel

If you worked for a newspaper, you could say “I’m a reporter for such-and-such paper,” or “You might’ve seen my story in print in last week’s edition.” There was pride in chasing down a story, with the knowledge that your words would be read by many people.

Then, along came cable television and the internet and cell phones and all the methods of instant news and communication. The world indeed has changed a lot over the last 25 (or more) years, and perhaps that is why I adore museums and history.

You can learn a great deal from studying an old photo, if you really look. And you can learn a tremendous amount about how life was lived and how we got to where we are today from visiting historical museums. Luckily for Lakes Regioners and visitors to the area, the Laconia Public Library at 695 North Main Street (in Laconia) is the place where the Laconia Historical and Museum Society presents changing exhibits on a variety of topics.

When I learned that the Society is featuring an exhibit on the history of Laconia’s newspaper, the Citizen, I knew I was in for a treat. Since high school, I have worked in the newspaper business. I can thank the owners of the Bristol Enterprise for my tentative first step into the print world. My brother was employed, while still in high school, at the Enterprise and soon I too was working part time, typing address labels and doing errands. Even though my role was miniscule at the weekly, small-town newspaper, I was fascinated. People waited with anticipation for the paper to be printed each week, and I saw then the power of the printed word.

I think Edward John Gallagher (1890-1978) must have been aware of that power as well. His initial foray into journalism came about when he was recovering from a bout of tuberculosis. He was ill for four years and was given a typewriter, probably to stave off the tedium of a long recovery. At age 15 he wrote, “How to Care for an Invalid” and saw his story published in a national magazine.

Sometimes from adversity come great things. It is Gallagher’s story, along with the history of the newspaper he founded, the Laconia Citizen, that is the subject of the exhibit at the Laconia Library.

I arrived at the library on a rainy, chilly springtime afternoon, and made my way to the top floor rotunda area where the Historical Society exhibits are on display. (I have seen some wonderful exhibits in the rotunda area, from the history of local clinics and hospitals to beautiful old theatre curtains, to name but a few of the varied displays.)

The exhibit is a “you-can’t-miss it” eye catcher, with the words The Citizen hanging above the entrance, banner-style. The title of the exhibit is “The Citizen 90 Years of an Iconic Laconia Newspaper.” The Laconia Historical and Museum Society certainly have done the memory of Gallagher and the newspaper proud. The exhibit traces the start of the paper, right up through the time it ceased publishing, in 2016.

According to information in the exhibit, Gallagher never attended college, but still he was a big success when he moved to Laconia, where he was a businessman, mayor, banker…and of course, the publisher of the Citizen.

The first edition of the paper was January 4, 1926, but it wasn’t the first or only newspaper in the town. Somehow, above all others, the Citizen thrived while other papers came and went.

Typefaces are a huge part of the printing of any newspaper, and a glass case in the exhibit shows a book of early typefaces. A 1920s catalogue from the American Type Founders Company is on display, and it was from books such as this that the Citizen staff could order type, printing presses, paper cutters, cabinets and more.

Before today’s speedy computers, reporters had to craft their stories on typewriters. A wonderful old Underwood typewriter shows how reporters once typed their stories, which, when completed, were sent to be handset, letter by letter, by staff. In 1925, Gallagher purchased a flatbed printing press that weighed 14 tons. It was a mammoth piece of machinery and so big a pit had to be dug in a building on Hanover Street to house the press.

Type was set by hand, letter-by-letter and a single column inch of type could a long time to set. It was an incredibly slow process, and newspaper staff all over the country must have rejoiced when linotype machines came along. (This method used a hot metal typesetting system that could produce an entire line of type at once.)

Gallagher knew the public relied upon the Laconia Citizen for news, no matter what. An old photo with caption shows staff at work at the Linotype machine after the Hurricane of 1938. The power outage caused by the hurricane was a dilemma, but the machine was rigged with a gasoline engine for power and the paper was printed in spite of the weather!

Early in the days of the Citizen, the paper sent photographs by morning train to the Union Leader in Manchester for processing. The completed images would be returned by afternoon bus. (And by the way, until 2006, the paper was called The Laconia Evening Citizen. After 2006, it became a morning newspaper.)

Those who love the early days of computers will enjoy seeing an old, rather boxy Macintosh computer, which at one time was quite a wonder and time saver. (Before the computer age, each section of the paper was printed and coated with wax, then cut out section by section. Then, page layout was done on a large board…by hand.)

Although there were a number of weekly newspapers in the area, the Citizen was the only daily paper. It may have started modestly, but Gallagher likely had a vision and a plan to grow the paper. He joined the Associated Press early on and he had the courage to hire a woman, Ebba Janson, as city editor.

Not to give away everything in the exhibit, I can say viewers will be treated to many black-and-white photos showing some of the early, fun things in Laconia, such as a method of selling papers via a decorated auto with Gallagher’s daughter, Alma, going along for a ride!

Early newspaper boys smile at the camera as they gather at the Citizen’s Beacon Street location with copies of the “Victory in Europe” edition in May of 1945. They are all smiling, dressed casually, some in jaunty caps, ready to deliver this very-important and joyful news to the public.

Eventually, Gallagher’s daughter, Alma, and her husband took over the paper. In later years, it was purchased and run by others. The paper ceased publication in 2016.

The exhibit pays tribute also to a number of men and women who made the Citizen possible, from 1926 to 2016. As I read the long list of names, it was brought home to me what an impact the paper had on the Lakes Region. Many made a viable living and a big contribution to the public through their jobs at the paper, from general managers to news reports, photographers, graphics staff, circulation, advertising, correspondents and office staff who were often the first voice one heard when contacting the newspaper.

No matter how you get news today – whether via the internet, television or radio, there was a time when the one and only (and most reliable) way to get the news was to grab a newspaper. The Laconia Citizen brought local news as well as the sometimes scarier but always newsworthy larger world to the homes all over the Laconia area.

If, like me, you grew up with the viewpoint that daily and weekly newspapers were (and are) rather special, you will love the exhibit. Plan to take someone younger with you – a child or grandchild – so they can get a look at how the news has morphed over the decades.

And take a moment to say a silent thank-you to Mr. Gallagher, whose daring and vision started it all so long ago.

The exhibit at the Laconia Library will be on display through May. For further information, call 603-527-1278, email lhmslpl@metrocast.net or go to www.laconiahistory.org.