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.