Family games, crafts, food, vendors, pie eating contest, judging of children's art and essay "My Favorite Barn" contest and more...

SOLD OUT!

Join the Preservation Alliance for a behind-the-scenes exploration of three historic sites in picturesque Harrisville. We'll start the day at Brookside Farm with property owners Carol and Drew Landry and barn contractor Richard Thompson of Sunrise Woodworks. Sunrise Woodworks has completed renovations to the two 19th century barns that were in imminent danger of collapse. After much work jacking up and fixing rotten/broken beams, both barns were suspended while the crumbling field stone foundations were removed.  One barn received a rebuilt field stone foundation while the barn attached to the house received a concrete foundation with new drainage.  After a short presentation on the history of the property, Richard Thompson will offer a guided tour of both barns explaining the barn repairs and methodology.

Tour goers will then move on to the mill village of Harrisville for an optional lunch and a presentation on the history of the mill village. Highlighted by historic maps and archival photographs, Tom Weller AIA and Chick Colony, founder and current president of the board of trustees of Historic Harrisville, will present "Village of Harrisville Time Machine from 1774 to 1947," a time-lapse 3D virtual model of the making of a mill town as it evolved over a 170 year period. Historic Harrsiville's strategic business plan for this place is a model for the state and nation's preservation movements.

And the final stop of the day will be at the spectacular Aldworth Manor. This National Register listed ca. 1840 Victorian house was relocated by train from Worcester, MA to Harrisville in 1908 by Arthur E. & Alice Childs. It was then rebuilt as an Italian villa-style residence with terraced gardens and extensive landscaping. The property had fallen into disrepair and had been vacant since the late 1990s when the Long Family purchased the 160 acre estate in 2014 to restore and use as a special events venue. With the manor's exterior newly painted and gardens replanted, the beautiful grounds with stunning views of Mt. Monadnock are now being used as a wedding venue. The Longs have recently started the rehabilitation of the interior of the manor house with plans to return it to its early 20th century grandeur. The tour offers a rare opportunity to explore this fabulous property during the early rehabilitation work with the property owners and the project architect.

Presented in partnership with Historic Harrisville and Aldworth Manor.

Tickets:

Morning at Brookside Farm, 9:30-12: Members - $15; Non-members - $20     

Afternoon at Harrisville Mill Village and Aldworth Manor, 12:30-4pm: Members - $25; Non-members - $30

Full day tickets: Members - $35; Non-members - $45

Optional boxed lunch - $10

Send email to projects@nhpreservation.org or call 603-224-2281 to register.

In celebration of Preservation Month, the Hooksett Heritage Commission is sponsoring the 13th Annual Hooksett Heritage Day on Saturday, May 20, 2017, with activities from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Plans include an open house at the old town hall, 16 Main Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with representatives of the Heritage Commission and the Town Hall Preservation Committee on hand to show visitors the progress made in the rehabilitation project over the past year.  Most exciting–the second floor has been removed so the main hall is now the main hall once again as it was from 1828 to 1961. Guests will also be able to view future plans and historical photos of changes to the building.

The Robie’s Country Store Historic Preservation Corp. will have scrapbooks with photos of old Hooksett at the store from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Plan a few minutes to explore Hooksett’s early times.  This is also time to browse the preservation corporation’s merchandise along with custom Hooksett items from the Heritage Commission. 

“This is our 13th year recognizing Hooksett’s story on a special day.  It’s our opportunity to acquaint residents with a little of what made Hooksett Hooksett,” says Kathie Northrup, Chair of the Heritage Commission.  “Every town has its own unique and interesting history.  Do you know Hooksett’s?  Here’s the chance to visit the historic buildings open that day and talk with the people working to give or restore life to Hooksett’s special places.” 

Presented in Partnership with Prescott Farm

This is the second of three workshops presented by Ian Blackman, Blackman Restoration and Preservation, during Prescott Farm's spring barn preservation project. Blackman will discuss the dry-laid stone foundation restoration, drainage improvements, and cribbing techniques of this barn project. Partner with the foundation work, master stone mason Kevin Fife, Twin Elms Landscape, will be joining Blackman in this workshop. After a 30 minute break for lunch, Fife will also be running a segment on stone wall restoration. Lunch is not included. We encourage participants to bring a lunch to eat during the break if planning to stay for Fife's stone wall segment.

Registration required online or by calling the NH Preservation Alliance at 603-224-2281.

Members (Alliance or Prescott Farm) - $20
Non-members - $25

Join the Preservation Alliance for a celebration that features small towns accomplishing enormous tasks, small business success stories, examples of exceptional community engagement and innovative preservation strategies.  The awards recognize individuals, organizations, or businesses in the categories of restoration and stewardship, rehabilitation, compatible new construction, public policy, and educational and planning initiatives across the state.

Register online here. 

The Alliance will present a session on successful municipal buildings at the annual planning and zoning conference, hosted by the Office of Energy and Planning.

How can municipalities work to save community landmarks that define their town? Representatives from recent successful preservation projects across the state will talk about their process and partners. Topics will include securing preservation easements, building community buy-in, and raising capital.

More information about the rest of the conference can be found here.

Sponsored by the N.H. Preservation Alliance
April 21, 2017
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Concord City Auditorium and other Concord sites

Register Online!

Join the Alliance for our biennial conference for preservation advocates and practitioners! Hear about critical issues and opportunities in the field of historic preservation, and learn from recognized experts and community leaders about the many facets of preservation. Sessions will focus on strategies for saving and repurposing community landmarks, promoting sustainability, effective planning, working with a project team, best practices in communications and for successful fundraising, and more. Choose from breakout sessions following the keynote address, and enjoy lunchtime group discussions and walking tours of downtown Concord with visits to recent and current construction projects. Cap off the day with a networking reception featuring preservation-related refreshments at the New Hampshire Historical Society (a recent preservation award winner).

Move Information and Schedule here

Presented in partnership with Prescott Farm.

Ian Blackman of Blackman Restoration and Preservation, will lead participants through a condition assessment of the two late 19th century barns at Prescott Farm explaining what to look for while conducting an assessment, and what the findings might tell us of the history of the barn, and how to develop a prioritized game plan for repairs. Prescott Farm will be starting a complete restoration of its large 1882 barn and attached dairy barn this spring. The restoration will be from the foundation up and will involve supporting the barn while the stone foundation is rebuilt and drainage is installed.

This workshop is the first of three that will be offered during the restoration project. It's a great opportunity to be on the job site of an active barn project and be involved in a detailed discussion of the repairs, barn preservation strategies, and stewardship with barn experts. The workshop will include an overview of the Preservation Alliance's barn assessment grant program and the statewide tax intensive program for barns.  Participants are encouraged to bring photos of their own barns for discussion at the end of the program. Lunch not included, but feel free to bring a picnic lunch to eat at the farm after the program. 

This is the first in a series of three barn workshops at Prescott Farm. Scroll down in the event calendar for details on the second and third  workshops in the series:
May 13, 2017 - Repair and Restoration of Stone Foundations and Stone Walls
July 15, 2017 - Step-by-Step Profile: 1882 Timber Frame Restoration at Prescott Farm

Registration required online or by calling the NH Preservation Alliance at 603-224-2281.

Members (Alliance or Prescott Farm) - $20; all three workshops - $50
Non-members - $25; all three workshops - $65

Partnering with Wolfeboro Heritage Commission - Maggie Stier

The Wolfeboro Heritage Commission is hosting a free public presentation on Saving Historic Barns on Wednesday, March 15 from 6 - 8 pm at the Wolfeboro Town Hall.  This is appropriate for residents of all towns in the area.

 Beverly Thomas, the barn preservation specialist at the NH Preservation Alliance in Concord, is the featured presenter.  As part of the Alliance's year-long campaign, 52 Barns in 52 Weeks, this program will include a PowerPoint on how people can take action to retain historic barns which are a key part of the architectural heritage of New Hampshire.  

 The program will discuss the various tools and strategies that are available to help preserve these iconic structures, including the statewide barn preservation easement program, which offers tax relief to owners who agree to maintain their historic barns.  Applications for that program will be available at the presentation and must be submitted by April 15 to gain tax relief for 2017.  

 Enter the Wolfeboro Town Hall from the back of the building where there is parking and elevator access to the second floor Great Hall. 

 For more information call Maggie Stier, chair of the Wolfeboro Heritage Commission at 603-344-1726.

New Hampshire Historical Society - presented in conjunction with the Northeast Document Conservation Center - 30 Park Street, Concord, NH  03301

This workshop offers an overview to the preservation and care of paper-based collections. Documents discussed will include bound volumes, pamphlets, manuscripts, photographs, negatives, booklets, and framed objects. Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups and discuss documents from their collections with others.

Registration required

Discover Portsmouth
 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth

Awards presentation 6pm. Light refreshments will be served. Open to the public. 

Portsmouth Advocates bestow awards of excellence to owners, designers and contractors whose exceptional work enhances the city’s unique historic character.  The winners demonstrate a commitment to historic preservation and make Portsmouth a better place to live and work. On November 17, Portsmouth Advocates will continue this tradition by presenting awards to exceptional individuals and projects completed over the last year.

For additional information please e-mail advocates@portsmouthhistory.org

The N.H. Division of Historical Resources will host “We’re Golden: Celebrating 50 Years of the National Historic Preservation Act,” a daylong symposium focusing on historic preservation in the Granite State, in Concord on October 28, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Signed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson on Oct. 15, 1966, the NHPA declared that “the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people.”

“We’re Golden” will focus specifically on New Hampshire success stories related to the NHPA’s Section 106. Presenters include:

• Lydia Kachadoorian; Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Robert Goodby, PhD; Monadnock Archaeological Consulting, LLC
• Maureen Beauregard; Families in Transition
• Sarah Jordan; White Mountain National Forest
• Sean T. James and Josif Bicja; Hoyle, Tanner & Associates
• Cpt. Logan T. Kenney; N.H. Army National Guard

There will also be a panel discussion about the history of preservation in New Hampshire, and a keynote address by Charlene Dwin Vaughn, assistant director at the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

People interested in learning more about historic preservation success stories in New Hampshire, including members of historic commissions, environmental and engineering firms, federal and state agencies, and cultural resource consultants are invited to attend.

Location:  NH Department of Transportation
7 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301 

There is no fee to attend but advance registration is required.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016
5:15-6:45 pm announcement, brief annual meeting and reception
with recognition of longtime field service representative Maggie Stier
in the Emma B. French Hall, New Hampshire Institute of Art
148 Concord Street, Manchester, N.H.

Before the announcement, visit one or more of the past
Seven to Save listees in Manchester from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Directions and additional information on touring

Visit our donation page to help the Preservation Alliance save endangered places.

Our generous Seven to Save sponsors to date include:

The Anagnost Companies / Ian Blackman, LLC Restoration and Preservation
Great Bridge Properties / JLT Painting

Christopher P. Williams Architects PLLC / Dennis Mires, PA, The Architects
Irish Electric Corp. / Milestone Engineering & Construction / Samyn-D’Elia Architects, PA

Ciborowski Associates / Cobb Hill Construction / CMK Architects
Enviro-Tote, Inc. / Finegold Alexander Architects / HEB Engineers, Inc.
North Branch Construction, Inc. / Norton Asset Management / ReArch
Turnstone Corporation / Udelsmann Associates / Windows and Doors by Brownell

Christine Hadsel will be at the NH Historical Society Saturday, October 1st at 2:00 pm for an author talk and book signing on Suspended Worlds.

The hardcover book as a unique look at an overlooked element of the American fabric—the ambitious murals that have served as the backdrops for decades of Yankee entertainment.

In small-town New England, long before television and the internet, the prevailing custom was to provide your own entertainment, often in the form of a performance at the local grange or Town Hall. Since there wasn't much money for costumes or props, the plays relied on all purpose scenic backdrops-painted canvases of local scenes and interest. And they were glorious. Many of these minor masterpieces of vernacular art still survive and are presented in all their glory in this richly illustrated book celebrating the colorful and memorable painted curtains that graced the stages of countless New England towns.

The talk is free, and books will be available for sale and signing by the author!

For more information

My Energy Plan, a consortium of the state government and private utilities, is sponsoring a series of free weatherization workshops to help property owners save on their home energy costs. Professionals certified in home energy will lead the workshops. Participants will learn basic building science concepts, and how air sealing, insulating and conservation can help reduce fuel and electricity use. 

Workshop locations include:

Grantham - 9/27, 7pm, Grantham Town Hall, 300 Route 10, energy@granthamnh.net

Cannot attend? On the website myenergyplan.net there are 15 short videos with hints and tips that are easy to accomplish.