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1ffa548a-3428-40e8-ac50-e9efba0374c3 < Back 2025 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Schoolhouse Sites Search 2 by Ellen Hofford; Memories of Washington by Alan G. Perry; Calendar of 2025 Meetings; Contents of Research Binders Available in the Museum — Part 1 by Steve Yusko; Report from the Treasurer by Elaine Crandall; New Page of NH Chronicle — Fritz Wetherbee videos Featuring Washington by Bill Mulcahy; Volunteers Needed by Gwen Gaskell; A Postcard In the WNHHS Collection (location of Hixon's Store) by Bill Mulcahy OPEN / PDF Previous Next

b07e67fb-59ce-4438-91bc-10397e2a0caf < Back 2004 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message; Barn Preservation Fund; Barn Preservation Report; The Season at the Museum; A Peek Into the Past; From the 1912 Town Report; From the 1924 Town Report; Researching "The Barn"; Barn Quilt; Correspondence from One of the Selectmen OPEN / PDF Previous Next

6bf58ba1-76ac-4dfc-afd5-7b9ce3a3891b < Back 2020 Fall WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message by Bill Mulcahy: Washington Historical Society Officers; Ringing in Victory and Other Memories of WW II by Jim Crandall; Nathaniel C. Burwash – An Artist Living and Working in Washington During the Depression by Alan Jay Rom; Notes from the Museum by Gwen Gaskell; WNHHS Gift Shop on the Common; Photo of Susan Fairchild and Heidi Chabot; Renovation of the Town Pound; Items for Sale; Membership Form OPEN / PDF Previous Next

e87e2cb0-a67c-4dcd-ae27-697f86fe24ee < Back 2015 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message; Washington Historical Society Survey; Surprise! – A Gift to the Washington Historical Society (Jeanette Hurd’s Diary and more); The Wild Orchids of Washington, NH; Washington Historical Society Programs for 2015; Items for Sale; The Wallace W. Dole Mausoleum; This Summer at the Museum; Washington Historical Society Officers; Membership Form OPEN / PDF Previous Next

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

A list of newsletters from the Washington New Hampshire Historical Society, in downloadable PDF format, most recent first. Newsletter Simple Listing A simple chronological listing of Newsletter PDFs. 2026 Newsletter, Summer 2026 2025 Newsletter, Spring 2025 Newsletter, Winter 2025 2024 Newsletter, Spring 2024 Newsletter, Fall 2024 2023 Ne ws letter, Spring 2023 Newsletter, Fall 2023 2022 Newsletter, Spring 2022 Newsletter, Fall 2022 2021 Newsletter, Spring 2021 Newsletter, Fall 2021 2020 Newsletter, Spring 2020 Newsletter, Fall 2020 2019 Newsletter, Spring 2019 Newsletter, Fall 2019 2018 Newsletter, Spring 2018 Newsletter, Fall 2018 2017 Newsletter, Spring 2017 Newsletter, Winter 2017 2016 Newsletter, Spring 2016 Newsletter, Winter 2016 2015 Newsletter, Spring 2015 Newsletter, Fall 2015 2014 Newsletter, Spring 2014 Newsletter, Fall 2014 2013 Newsletter, Spring 2013 Newsletter, Fall 2013 2012 Newsletter, Spring 2012 Newsletter, Fall 2012 2011 Newsletter, Spring 2011 Newsletter, Fall 2011 2010 Newsletter, Spring 2010 Newsletter, Fall 2010 2009 Newsletter, Spring 2009 Newsletter, Fall 2009 2008 Newsletter, Spring 2008 Newsletter, Fall 2008 2007 Newsletter, Spring 2007 Newsletter, Fall 2007 2006 Newsletter, Spring 2006 Newsletter, Fall 2006 2005 Newsletter, Spring 2005 Newsletter, Fall 2005 2004 Newsletter, Spring 2004 Newsletter, Fall 2004 2003 Newsletter, Spring 2003 Newsletter, Fall 2003 Newsletter, Winter 2003 2002 Newsletter, Spring 2002 Newsletter, Winter 2002 2001 Newsletter, Spring 2001 2000 Newsletter, Spring 2000 Newsletter, Fall 2000 1999 Newsletter, Spring 1999 Newsletter, Fall 1999 1998 Newsletter, Spring 1998 Newsletter, Fall 1998

Town History A Brief History of Washington, NH Washington, New Hampshire is unique in that it is the first town incorporated under the name of George Washington. This occurred on December 13, 1776, while General Washington was serving as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, and over 12 years prior to his inauguration as our first President on April 30, 1789. (To read more, see the full article in our 2001 Spring Newsletter. ) The area was originally part of a larger land charter granted by the Province of Massachusetts on January 15, 1736, and called “Monadnock Number 8.” It was one of a succession of towns that ran from Merrimack to the Connecticut River meant to form a protective line of defense that also included Hopkinton Number 5, Henniker Number 6, and Hillsborough Number 7. Photo Archives Interested in seeing more archival photos of the area? Contact Us to inquire about seeing our historic Postcards, other photography, and archive materials. Click on an image to see more details . The Early Years New Concord / Camden In 1746, this land was purchased by the “Masonian Proprietors” who, on December 6, 1751 granted a portion of it to Capt. Peter Prescott of Concord, Massachusetts, who called it New Concord. Stephen Hosmer’s survey of 1753 found New Concord to be six and a half miles wide by eight miles long, and containing 33,280 acres. Still roughly the size of Washington today. The New Concord grant transferred to Colonel Reuben Kidder, Esq. of New Ipswitch in 1768, who renamed it Camden, after Royal Governor John Wentworth's friend, the Earl of Camden, Chief Justice of England. The first settlers arrived in May, 1768 and camped at the outlet of Millen's Pond. Each was granted 100 acres of land with the privilege of choosing land from any part of the township. The first census, taken in 1773, showed that Camden had 14 log houses, 7 framed houses, 6 barns, 44 "cattel," 12 sheep, and 263 acres of cleared land owned by 28 families. Total population was 132. Late 1700's – 1830 Washington Finds its Name On September 22, 1776, with the War for Independence under way, the inhabitants of Camden sent the petition to the New Hampshire General Assembly requesting the name change of their town from Camden to Washington mentioned above. This petition was granted on December 13, 1776. Washington was included in Cheshire County until July 5, 1827, and then became part of the newly incorporated Sullivan County, where it remains today. 1830's – 1930's A Thriving Community In 1830 the town population reached a peak of 1,135. Many mills were built along the streams and soon Washington was manufacturing lumber, barrel staves, shingles, chair parts, bobbins, whip sockets, hosiery, bricks and washboards. Farmers grew crops, and water-powered grist mills ground flour. By 1886 fifty-three tons of maple sugar was being produced annually, and wool and mutton had become important to the economy of the town. During the “railroad era” commencing in the second half of the 19th century, Washington became known for its mountain air, healthy water and its many hotels and tourist homes. With the discovery of rich prairielands in the western U.S., Washington’s farmers found it more difficult to compete. This caused many to abandon their rocky hill farms and join the migration westward. Washington Today Today Washington, NH is home to many people seeking a rural New Hampshire lifestyle, or vacationing on its 26 surrounding lakes and ponds. Click on an image to see more details . Washington, NH — An Inviting Place to Live Population continued to decline, and by the Great Depression of the 1930’s it reached a low below 200. Happily, people are returning and population has been climbing, reaching 1,123 with the 2010 census. Today, Washington's over 26 sparkling lakes and ponds , clear mountain air and beautiful scenery has largely made us a retirement and summer vacation community and inviting tourist area. As all those who visit or live here know, it is one of New Hampshire's best kept secrets! Read More About Washington, NH To learn more about the fascinating history of our town and its people, check out the following collection of materials available through our Gift Shop : The History of Washington New Hampshire 1768 – 1886 , Portrait of a Hill Town: A History of Washington, New Hampshire 1886 – 1976, and ..A Sacred Deposit. All three books are available at the Museum Store or online as individual books or a set of three. No product

945ef332-1bcf-4b8e-884e-02fe09c9cc9f < Back 2024 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message by Steve Yusko; Washington Historical Society Officers; Louisa Phillis: Early Black Resident of Washington, NH and Member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church by Bill Mulcahy; News from the East Washington Schoolhouse Museum by Marian Baker; Munimap Application with the ability to overlay historical maps of Washington over present day tax maps by Mark Florence; Calendar of Upcoming Events 2023; Summer Saturdays at the Museum and the Barn; Summer Saturdays at the East Washington Schoolhouse; Membership form; Donation form. OPEN / PDF Previous Next

70cb017f-abd2-4ed4-a249-2f4bf608ea36 < Back 2016 Spring WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: Message from the Vice President; Washington Historical Society Officers; This Summer (2016); Items for Sale; Washington Historical Society Programs for 2016; Brockway Pond, now Millen Pond; Membership Form OPEN / PDF Previous Next

6c3a78b4-f9fb-4f48-ba07-cfca6248e18f < Back 2009 Fall WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message; Washington's First Snowmobile; The Max Israel Tract: The Success Story of Henniker's Max Israel, Letter to Max Israel from American Red Cross, The Land, Dexter Sweet Farm, Pastureland, Abandoned Farms, A Local Storm, Today, Ed in "Ed's Corner"; Twins in Washington; From the Museum; Montfort Retreat in Washington; Notice: 2010 Old Home Day Celebration; Geneology Corner; Another Centenarian – Rev. John Henry Sargent; Historical Society Barn Museum Report; James "Jim" Gaskell – All Around Helper; Items for Sale Featuring Favorite Landmarks of Washington, NH; Annual Membership Form OPEN / PDF Previous Next

2ed24817-6b55-410e-ab42-81c408a28ee2 < Back 2008 Fall WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: President's Message; Public Corn Husking Bee; Summer at the Museum and Barn; Four Washington Centenarians: Amy (Roundy) Spaulding, Mary (Proctor) Brockway, Samuel Philbrick Bailey, and Carroll E. Farnsworth; Sawyer Print Presented to WHS by Warner Historical Society; Flagpole Repair at Old Districe #5 Schoolhouse; Yankee Ingenuity or Another Use for Corn; The First Wind Farm in New Hampshire; A Photo from Yesteryear (Lovell House Hotel) OPEN / PDF Previous Next

f6364e33-851a-4724-9e5b-0960c4b07e84 < Back 2015 Fall WHS Newsletter Topics in this issue: Greetings from the Board of Directors of WHS; District #5 Schoolhouse; Washington Historical Society Officers; The Washington Afghan; Items for Sale; More on Local Wild Orchids; Our Square Grand Piano; Airplane Crashes in Pillsbury State Reservation; Membership Form OPEN / PDF Previous Next