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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!

Former WHS President Susan Fairchild tells the story of the July 2021 effort to conserve the historic O. L. Story stage curtain in the upper hall of the Washington Meetinghouse. In July of 2021, Curtains Without Borders, an organization responsible for documenting and conserving over 500 historic stage curtains throughout Northern New England, undertook the conservation of the historic O. L. Story stage curtain that has hung in the upper hall of the Washington, NH, Meetinghouse since 1906. Join former WHS President and video host Susan Fairchild and learn more about the history of Washington's special stage curtain and the steps involved as Chris Hadsel, Executive Director of Curtains Without Borders, leads a team of local volunteers through the cleaning and conservation process. Watch or Learn More Click here to watch the video. Or, click here to watch Chris Hadsel's presentation from the WHS September 13, 2021 meeting on the history of stage curtains and to learn much more about the many stage curtains that Curtains Without Borders has documented and conserved since 1996. You can also learn more about Curtains Without Borders by visiting their website.

The Washington Historical Society is a non-profit organization located in Washington, NH. We collect and preserve items and provide events related to the history of Washington, New Hampshire. We operate three buildings: a museum, a barn, and a one-room schoolhouse and have a free online Cemetery Search tool for four regional cemeteries. About About Washington, New Hampshire Washington, New Hampshire, is the first town incorporated under the name of George Washington. This occurred on December 13, 1776, when 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. For more about the history of Washington, see the Town History page. About the Washington Historical Society We are an all-volunteer 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1982 and located in Washington, NH. For more on the history of our organization, see the WHS History page. Our Mission Our mission is to bring together people interested in the collection and preservation of all material related to the history of Washington and East Washington, New Hampshire, and to undertake activities to foster and promote public knowledge of this local history, as well as state and national history. Our Museums We maintain and operate three buildings, all of which are staffed by volunteers during the summer season. The buildings feature displays and exhibits designed to educate visitors about what life and work was like for people living in Washington across the years. GO TO MUSEUMS Board Members Our Board of Directors changes annually. This is a list of Officers and Board members of the Washington Historical Society for Fiscal Year August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026. Contact Us at: info@wnhhs.org Bill Mulcahy PRESIDENT Gwen Gaskell ARCHIVIST Steve Yusko VICE-PRESIDENT Ellen Hofford ASST. ARCHIVIST & BOARD MEMBER Elaine Crandall TREASURER Pat Martin BOARD MEMBER Marian Baker SECRETARY Kim Stumpf BOARD MEMBER Bill Mulcahy WEBMASTER Nondiscrimination Policy The Washington NH Historical Society does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its ativities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.

The Washington New Hampshire Historical Society (WNHHS), is a non-profit organization interested in the collection and preservation of material related to the history of Washington, NH. We manage several historic buildings and cemeteries, and provide events about local, state, and national history. Welcome The Washington New Hampshire Historical Society (WNHHS), is a non-profit organization that brings together people interested in the collection and preservation of material related to the history of Washington & East Washington, NH. In addition to managing several historic buildings, we undertake activities to foster and promote public knowledge of local, state, and national history. LEARN ABOUT WHS Museum Gift Shop Gifts & Memorabilia Cemetery Search Research Tool Newsletters Newsletter PDFs & Archives Collections Museum Collections Upcoming Events Although an RSVP is not required to attend, your response does allow us to send you an event reminder and any other important updates. Mon, Mar 09 RECORDING of WNHHS March Zoom Meeting — Inez McDermot — "Portraits of a Revolution." / WNHHS YouTube Recording More Info Mar 09, 2026, 11:21 PM – Mar 16, 2026, 11:51 PM WNHHS YouTube Recording RECORDING: Art Historian Inez McDermot explores American portraits painted and sculpted around the period of the American Revolution, examining portraits of founding “fathers” and “mothers,” as well as of lesser-known individuals. RSVPs are disabled for recordings. Share Mon, Apr 13 WNHHS April Zoom Meeting — Erin Moulton — "What's The History of Your House?" / Online Zoom Event More Info Apr 13, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Online Zoom Event Writer and Researcher Erin Moulton shows you how to unlock the history of your house! An RSVP is not required, but allows us to send you an event reminder. Share Mon, Jul 13 WNHHS July In Person Meeting — Mary Adams — "Red Coats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution" / Camp Morgan Lodge More Info Jul 13, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Camp Morgan Lodge, 339 Millen Pond Road, Washington, NH 03280, USA Join us for a Pot Luck Supper, Member Meeting, and then the New Hampshire Historical Society's own Mary Adams will explain the many ways that New Hampshire is often overlooked in the narrative of the American Revolution. An RSVP is not required, but allows us to send you an event reminder. Share Mon, Aug 10 WNHHS August Annual Meeting — Jeffrey Zygmont — "Walking in the Woods with Robert Frost: Seeing Nature Through..." / Camp Morgan Lodge More Info Aug 10, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Camp Morgan Lodge, 339 Millen Pond Road, Washington, NH 03280, USA Join us for a Pot Luck Supper, Annual Business Meeting, and Election of Officers, and then Jeffrey Zygmont will present "Walking in the Woods with Robert Frost: Seeing Nature Through the Words of America's Most Loved Poet." An RSVP is not required, but allows us to send you an event reminder. Share Mon, Sep 14 WNHHS September In Person Meeting — Alan R. Hoffman — "Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: The Granite State Salutes..." / Camp Morgan Lodge More Info Sep 14, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Camp Morgan Lodge, 339 Millen Pond Road, Washington, NH 03280, USA Join us for a Pot Luck Supper, Member Meeting, and author Alan R. Hoffman's presentation "Lafayette and the Farewell Tour: The Granite State Salutes the Nation’s Guest." An RSVP is not required, but allows us to send you an event reminder. Share SEE ALL EVENTS Featured Videos NH Chronicle Video Segments Featuring Washington, NH Many interesting stories about Washington, New Hampshire have been featured over the years on local ABC affiliate WMUR-9's nightly... Our History Is In the Barn! John Porter, author and expert on historic barns, "reads" the Washington Historical Society's barn, noting its special features and the... The Mystery of the Boy Shot on Mill Hill Join the hunt for answers as Washington Historical Society's own Bill Mulcahy searches for the boy's identify and uncovers his powerfully... SEE ALL PROJECTS

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. 2025 Winter WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Updated Edition of Sylvanus Thayer Biography by Bill Mulcahy; Museum Report by Gwen Gaskell; Sylvanus Thayer's Washington, NH Family by Bill Mulcahy; Schedule of 2025-2026 Zoom Meetings: November to April by Steve Yusko 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 2022 Spring WHS Newsletter President's Message; Washington Historical Society Officers; Special Nat Burwash Exhibit at the Museum this Summer... READ MORE Load More