Join the hunt for answers as Washington Historical Society's own Bill Mulcahy searches for the boy's identify and uncovers his powerfully moving story. This story was the basis for a New Hampshire Chronicle segment which won a 2021 New Hampshire Area Broadcasters Granite Mike Award! Documentary filming for WMUR-9’s New Hampshire Chronicle For over a century, someone lay buried in an unmarked grave in the historic East Washington cemetery, the only clue to his identity a cryptic entry in the cemetery records - "Boy shot on Mill Hill." Who was he? How did he come to be there? Join the hunt for answers as Washington Historical Society's own Bill Mulcahy searches for the boy's identify and uncovers his powerfully moving story. Watch or Read More Click here to read Bill's story featured in the WHS Fall 2019 newsletter. Or, watch an Award Winning 8-minute segment about Bill’s search as broadcast on the September 16, 2020 edition of WMUR-9’s New Hampshire Chronicle. Producer/Reporter Karen Meyers, Drone Videographer Todd DiOrio, Videographer Paul Falco, and Editor Chris Shepherd were nominated for 2021 New England Emmy Awards for their work on this segment. The segment also won first place for best Feature Story at the 2021 New Hampshire Area Broadcasters Granite Mike Awards. A powerful and moving story of the discovery of a boy who lay in an unmarked grave for over 100 years. Bill Mulcahy holds a BA in History from Stonehill College, and is a past winner of that college's Frederick Jackson Turner for writing in American History. He was president of the Washington Historical Society from 2020-2021, and from 2025-present.

The Dollar-for-Dollar Match Opportunity Offered in May 2026 Has Now Ended. About the District # 5 Schoolhouse Step inside the District #5 Schoolhouse in East Washington, and you are instantly transported back to the 19th century—where children once practiced their lessons with quill pens and ink, and the daily rhythm of rural education unfolded within a single room. Now, the Washington NH Historical Society (WNHHS) is working to ensure that this rare piece of local history endures for generations to come. Opened in 1849 and used through 1937, the District #5 Schoolhouse is the last surviving example of Washington’s ten original 19th-century district schoolhouses still standing in its original form. Operated by the WNHHS since the 1990s, it continues to serve as both a museum and an active educational site, connecting today’s visitors—especially young students—with the town’s rich past. Inside, the past remains remarkably close at hand. Visitors can sit at wood and iron desks installed in 1893 and practice writing with quill pens and inkwells, just as students did more than a century ago. Maps depicting countries long since changed or vanished still hang on the walls, while slate blackboards and period textbooks offer a glimpse into daily lessons of the era. Even the schoolhouse clock, a gift from teachers and students in 1887, continues to watch over the room. About the Current Renovation Project and Fundraising Drive Preserving this unique historic resource requires urgent attention. The Society has launched a multi-phase project to restore the exterior of the building, including the careful renovation of its original six-over-nine windows, replacement of aging siding and trim, and final staining to protect the structure from the elements. The local craftsmen doing the work are Chris Troian of CJT Carpentry, Acworth NH (siding and trim) and Ed Whiting of EKW Painting and Texture, Hillsborough NH (windows and staining). Window restoration is already underway. The total cost of the project is estimated at $60,000. Approximately half of that amount has already been secured through the Society’s maintenance fund and a generous $10,000 Responsive Grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, made possible by the Charles A. Watson Jr. Fund for Historic Preservation. Possible Tax Benefits from Your Donation As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the WNHHS notes that donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Recent IRS rule changes may also allow some level of deduction for those who do not itemize; donors are encouraged to consult their tax advisor for details. Community members are invited to be part of this effort to preserve a tangible link to New Hampshire’s past. Contributions can be made by: Mail to: Washington NH Historical Society P.O. Box 90 Washington, NH 03280 Online through this Site: Using PayPal or Credit Card by Clicking Here Every gift, no matter the size, helps bring the project closer to completion!

Using a drone, Peter Sibley captured this beautiful video of the Fall foliage in and around the Washington, NH area at its peak on October 8, 2022. Click here to watch the foliage video. Peter spent 5 hours gathering the footage, which he edited down just under 5 breathtaking minutes. The video flight starts in Windsor by Hunts Honey Fields, moves on to Smith Pond, travels Rt 31 towards Goshen just past Pillsbury State Park, shows the Mount Sunapee Resort area, makes a fabulous pass over the Washington Historical Society's East Washington school house, captures amazing images of Eccardt Farm Inc., cruises over Island Pond and Half Moon Pond, captures the windmills near Goshen, and finishes up with one of the most picturesque sites in New England -- the spectacular Washington Common at the peak of Autumn glory!

A pdf newsletter from the Washington Historical Society in Washington, NH Newsletter PDFs To stay informed of WHS activities and receive notifications of events and announcements, become a Member . The newsletter will be sent for free! To see newsletters grouped by year, go to Newsletter Simple Listing. 2026 Summer WHS Newsletter President's Message by Bill Mulcahy; Washington Historical Society Officers; Calendar of In-Person Meetings for 2026 by Steve Yusko... READ MORE 2025 Winter WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Updated Edition of Sylvanus Thayer Biography by Bill Mulcahy... READ MORE 2025 Spring WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Schoolhouse Sites Search 2 by Ellen Hofford... READ MORE 2024 Fall WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Schoolhouse Sites Search by Ellen Hofford... READ MORE 2024 Spring WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Louisa Phillis: Early Black Resident of Washington, NH by Bill Mulcahy... READ MORE 2023 Fall WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Notes from Gwen Gaskell... READ MORE 2023 Spring WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Museum Archivists Report... READ MORE 2022 Fall WHS Newsletter President's Message - Phil Barker; Washington Historical Society Officers; Special Nat Burwash Exhibit; ... READ MORE Load More

Contact the Washington New Hampshire Historical Society by emailing info@wnhhs.org, or visit us seasonally at the Museum and Barn (100 Half-moon Pond Road) or the District #5 Schoolhouse (2570 East Washington Road) in Washington, NH. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 90, Washington, NH 03280-0090. Contact Although our Museums are open from July until Labor Day and we are most active in the summer months, we do monitor email year-round. Please contact us any time with research questions or appointment requests and we will do our best to accommodate you. Visit Us Our Museum, Barn and District #5 Schoolhouse are open seasonally or by appointment. MUSEUM & BARN Open July until Labor Day Saturdays, 10 – 2 pm 100 Halfmoon Pond Road Washington, NH DISTRICT #5 SCHOOLHOUSE Open July until Labor Day Saturdays, 1 – 3 pm 2570 East Washington Road Washington, NH Contact Us We are happy to answer your questions. Please contact us via email and someone will get back to you soon! EMAIL info@wnhhs.org MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 90 Washington, NH 03280-0090 Google Directions

dc085208-5c74-4783-9c16-d0fe05996a1a < Back 2020 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message by Bert Bodnar; In Memoriam – Rachel Crane by Gwen Gaskell; What Has Been and is Happening at the Museum by Gwen Gaskell; Death of Steve Crain; Self Guided Tour of Washington Homes; Programs for Washington Historical Society 2020 by Bill Mulcahy and Susan Fairchild; Items for Sale; We Have a New Address for Our Website; Membership Form OPEN / PDF Previous Next