History

History News

• North Hampton library hosts British educator - 9/26/2008

  NORTH HAMPTON — Sweeping into the meeting room of North Hampton Public Library, British educator Martin Sirot-Smith, dressed in 16th-century Tudor costume, introduced himself as Lawrence Washington, "seven times great-grandfather of George...

  
• Historically Speaking: Second Academy Fire - 9/19/2008

  Phillips Exeter Academy's first building was a small wood-framed structure that stood on Tan Lane. Of all the buildings owned by the academy, this little one seems to have the most staying power. It was moved in the 19th century to Front Street,...

  
• British infantry planning attack. Webb calls for Hampton to muster - 9/12/2008

  HAMPTON — Hampton resident Skip Webb shouted at the top of his lungs during this past Monday night's selectmen's meeting to get everyone in town to prepare to "muster."

• Historically Speaking: A tale of two churches - 9/5/2008

  On a hot June evening in 1854, a group of liberal Christians met in the Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Exeter to vote the Universalist Society out of existence. Out of the meeting, the First Unitarian Society of Exeter was born.

  
• Historically Speaking - 8/22/2008

  When Margaret Pearson and her sister, Dorothy, attended the Robinson Female Seminary in the 1920s, they often rode from their Stratham home on horseback. As efficient as this was, it did present the problem of what to do with the horses while the...

  
• Historic granite post returned to city - 8/20/2008

  PORTSMOUTH — A 200-year-old piece of the city's heritage was returned last week, after a sculptor from Kittery, Maine, found an octagonal granite post that once marked the corner of Islington and Brewster streets.

  
• From Gen. Sullivan to general public, Portsmouth celebrates Peirce Island purchase - 8/17/2008

  During the 85 years of city ownership, Peirce Island has served a wide range of purposes, including recreation, sightseeing, a place to cool off, a junkyard, a hook-up spot, and a central location for the city's effluent.

  
• Furniture on display - 8/8/2008

  PORTSMOUTH — World-renowned furniture makers from the Seacoast area will be at the Wentworth-Gardner House Sunday to talk about a special exhibit that had 11 craftsmen create furniture inspired by the 1760 home.

  
• Historically Speaking: John Wheelwright and his Church - 8/8/2008

  Standing prominently in the center of Exeter's downtown is a majestic white New England church. Its congregation can trace its roots back to the original settlement of the town in 1638, indeed the history of both the church and the town are...

  
• Strawbery Banke celebrates half-century sharing 400 years of seaport history - 7/27/2008

  PORTSMOUTH — As the city continues efforts to maintain the delicate balance of preservation and new development, Strawbery Banke rests in the South End, a 10-acre living lesson on the city's historical heritage for the past 50 years.

  
• Historically Speaking: Chin Lee and Exeter's Chinese Heritage - 7/25/2008

  In the postcard collection of the Exeter Historical Society there are a few depicting the Trade and Carnival Week parade in 1914. Behind the happy throngs of people on Water Street, standing on a lot that is today populated by coffee-sipping patrons...

  
• Historic finds at Strawbery Banke - 7/16/2008

  PORTSMOUTH — What lies beneath the ground outside the historic Chase House at Strawbery Banke Museum is unknown, but a group of amateur archaeologists is spending part of the summer digging up small bits of the past.

  
• Youth learn Colonial culture as American Independence Festival approaches - 7/11/2008

  EXETER — From playing sports to weaving, from cooking JELL-O to hasty pudding, and from wearing jeans and T-shirts to the Colonial garb of working women, the American Independence Museum's Junior Role Players travelled back to the 18th century.

  
• Historically Speaking: The Exeter Brass Band - 7/11/2008

  "There needs to be ice cream," was the only criticism heard at this week's Exeter Brass Band concert. Indeed, the lack of any downtown ice cream after 7 p.m. has been troubling for some time, but it's not worth missing the concert just because you...

  
• Historically Speaking: The Bank - 6/27/2008

  For more than 100 years, the Exeter Banking Company was the most influential institution in town. Although there were a number of other banks that served the townsfolk, it was the powerful Exeter Banking Company that financed most of the mortgages...

  
• Tuck Museum plans opening festivities for Leavitt Barn - 6/13/2008

  HAMPTON — The Tuck Museum, 40 Park Ave., has an afternoon of music and activities planned for Sunday, June 22 when museum's newest building, the Leavitt Barn, is open to the public.

• High gas prices forced Exeter family to ride horse and buggy in the 1940s - 5/30/2008

  Dominic Pettiglio calls himself a "true American" who has served his country, supported political figures and dealt with politics and changing times in his own way.

  
• Historically Speaking: The Great Train Wreck of 1897 - 5/30/2008

  Early June of 1897 was a trying time for Exeter residents. The Great Bridge was under construction and traffic was being diverted over the old String Bridge. A cold wet spring had turned the roads to mud in most parts of town. The approaching new...

  
• Three students from one Hampton family graduate from Great Bay Community College - 5/20/2008

  HAMPTON — Three members of the same family, the Trefethen family of Hampton, graduated from Great Bay Community College on Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m.