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Dollar-for-Dollar Match Opportunity for all Funds Donated in May. Donating Now Doubles the Power of Your Generous Gift!!! 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, Ackworth 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. Dollar-for-Dollar Match for all Donations Made in May!!! The remaining funds, however, must be raised through public support. To help meet this goal, an anonymous donor has stepped forward with a special opportunity: all donations made during the month of May will be matched dollar for dollar. Every contribution will go twice as far in helping complete the restoration!! Without this final phase of funding, the remaining restoration work cannot move forward, putting one of the region’s most intact historic schoolhouses at risk of further deterioration. Community participation will play a vital role in ensuring the building’s continued 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!

Many interesting stories about Washington, New Hampshire have been featured over the years on local ABC affiliate WMUR-9's nightly magazine show, New Hampshire Chronicle. Many of these segments are presented personally by longtime NH Chronicle host, writer, and filmmaker Fritz Wetherbee. You can access them from here. Fritz Wetherbee filming a segment about the Shedd Free Library for WMUR-9’s New Hampshire Chronicle Click Segment Title To Watch Video Lovell Creamery — East Washington Fritz Wetherbee talks about the Lovell Creamery, a dairy cooperative of local farmers that operated from 1886-1896. The creamery processed milk, cream butter and cheese, operating from an old mill building on the shore of East Washington's Mill Pond that had previously been a rake factory. Fritz also mentions "Captain Leonard Bradford," a Washington resident who Fritz reports made wooden tubs (containers) into his 90's, and proudly inserted a handwritten note into each one that said "Captain Leonard Bradford of Washington, NH, made this tub in his 91st year, without the use of spectacles!" WNHHS research shows that Leonard Bradford lived in Washington for many years. The 1886 History of Washington notes that "He carried on the business of coopering, and continued in the business until very near the end of his life." Leonard was born in Mont Vernon, NH September 13, 1790, and died here in Washington on May 14, 1882 — aged 91! October 2024. Run time 2:56. The East Washington (Mill) Pond Fritz Wetherbee opens this segment saying that "This [Washington] is one of my most favorite towns in New Hampshire." In reminiscing about his first trip here in 1986 to film his first segment about the town for NH PBS, he states that "This was a village out of a dream!" The main focus of the segment is on the restoration of the dam at the East Washington Mill Pond in 1952. The restoration effort was successfully championed by the Purlingbeck Grange. October 2024. Run time 2:20. East Washington Schoolhouse The District #5 one-room schoolhouse in East Washington opened in 1849 and served that community for almost 90 years before closing in 1937. The schoolhouse has remained virtually unchanged over the years — still possessing original desks, maps, and many other interesting items. It has been operated as a museum by the Washington NH Historical Society for many years, and is open to the public free-of-charge Saturdays from July through Labor Day from 1-3pm. Standing before the now 175 year-old iconic landmark, Fritz Wetherbee explains how the school was voted the best school in New Hampshire at the time of its opening, and reminisces about one-room New Hampshire Schoolhouses in general. We hope that you enjoy this segment featuring our beautiful schoolhouse, and that it will encourage you and your family to come and visit it in person. September 2024. Run time 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Granges of East Washington Using the Purling Beck Grange building as a backdrop, Fritz Wetherbee tells the stories behind the Lovell and Perling Beck Granges that once served the people of East Washington (the Lovell Grange later relocated to Town Hall in Washington Center). September 2024. Run time 2 minutes 49 seconds. Presidential New Hampshire Towns Stories of the naming of a number of New Hampshire towns, including Washington, after early Presidents of the United States. Fritz Wetherbee presents these interesting stories using Washington's beautiful and historic town common as his backdrop. May 2024. Run time 2 minutes 42 seconds. A Tale of Two Freezings The chilling stories of Nancy Barton of Crawford Notch, NH, and Daniel Millen of Washington, NH are shared. Fritz Wetherbee relates these cautionary tales while seated inside Washington's amazing Shedd Free Library, and talks glowingly of Ron and Grace Jager's fabulous history of Washington, NH, Portrait of a Hill Town , as the source for Daniel Millen's story. May 2024. Run time 2 minutes 38 seconds. Tubbs Union Academy This private institution for higher learning was founded in Washington by Russell Tubbs in 1849. While the school was mainly only successful in its first four years, the institution lasted another 77 years, closing in March of 1930. Fritz Wetherbee delivers the whole interesting story, framed against Washington's beautiful town common! May 2024. Run time 3 minutes 9 seconds. Sarah Shedd Library Washington, NH is home to one of the most picturesque library's in the state of New Hampshire. It 's named for a woman who was a Washington native and one of the original mill girls of Lowell, MA. Fritz Wetherbee tells you Sarah's story and the amazing gift that she left to her home town. Aired May 7, 2024. Run time 2 minutes 38 seconds. The Communist Women of New Hampshire Two women, Elba Chase, of Washington, and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, of Concord, NH, both played notable roles in New Hampshire's communist party from the 1930s into the 1960s. Fritz Wetherbee introduces you to both of these women and shares their stories. September 2023. Run time 2 minutes 41 seconds. The Mystery of the Boy Shot on Mill Hill For over a century, someone lay buried in an unmarked grave in East Washington's historic cemetery. This feature segment follows Washington Historical Society's Bill Mulcahy as he searches for the boy's identity and uncovers his powerfully moving story. Former Washington Cemetery Trustee Kitty West is also featured. This segment won first place for best Feature Story at the 2021 New Hampshire Area Broadcasters Granite Mike Awards and was also nominated for a 2021 New England Emmy Award. September 2020. 8 minutes and 2 seconds. Fred Chase of Washington, NH Fritz Wetherbee tells the stories of Fred and Elba Chase, residents of Washington who were leaders of the New Hampshire Communist Party from the 1920's to the 1960's. July 2017. Run time 2 minutes 27 seconds. Pillsbury State Park Pillsbury State Park is a lesser known gem of the New Hampshire State Park System Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it a home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose, and loons. Fritz Wetherbee introduces you to Albert E. Pillsbury and explains how the landed that he gifted to the people of New Hampshire became the beautiful state park it is today. September 2014. Run time 3 minutes 15 seconds.

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

Donations mean the world to the Washington New Hampshire Historic Society! Your donation helps with operating expenses, the ongoing maintenance of our buildings and museums, allows us to continue important historical documentation projects, and helps us offer free public arts and humanities events! Please donate and help us in our mission to preserve our cultural history. Donate Your donations support our programs and operational expenses. THANK YOU! Donate Now! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donations mean the world to us. They allow us to meet general operating expenses; fund special programs; and maintain our three historic buildings, among many other things. To donate by mail, send your check to Washington NH Historical Society P.O. Box 90 Washington, NH 03280 To contribute online, please click the button below. Donations typically range from $15 to $250+, but any amount is appreciated! Reminder! We qualify with many companies for matching grants, so check with your employer too! THANK YOU for your generosity!

73ece32d-afeb-4e23-9d68-26ec61a58ff5 < Back 2001 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message; Early Days of Sugarin'; Be Sure to Visit the Museum the Summer; In the Archives; Washington Lakes & Ponds Crossword Puzzle; Which One (Washington) is First? OPEN / PDF Previous Next