1772 Grant Recipient: Wright's Blacksmith Shop

The Gilsum Historical Society is one of sixteen grantees in 2023 for funds through The 1772 Foundation for work on Wright’s Blacksmith Shop

This State Register-listed blacksmith shop is a rare extant building type in New Hampshire. This $7,500 grant to the Gilsum Historical Society will help fund urgent repairs to the building’s foundation and sills, and to replace the failing roof. These repairs were listed as the highest priority needs in the 2022 building assessment funded in part by the N.H. Preservation Alliance. The deed of gift from the granddaughter of Phineas Wright (builder and occupant of the shop from 1890 – 1950) to the Gilsum Historical Society requires this Village District building to be open to the public to interpret the history of the blacksmith trade in town.

“The Wright Blacksmith Shop is furnished with all the tools and equipment that were used from 1890 - 1952.We are eager to begin repairs to revive this building and serve the community,”said David Dauphin, President,Gilsum Historical Society.