Camp Ossipee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Camp Ossipee
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The Hurd family camp
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 & 13 Porter Road, Holderness, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | c. 1900; 1947 |
| Architectural style | Summer camp |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000154 |
| Added to NRHP | April 10, 2013 |
Camp Ossipee is a really old and special private summer camp in Holderness, New Hampshire. It's right on the beautiful Squam Lake, located on Porter Road. This camp is actually two family camps next to each other, owned by the Porter and Hurd families.
One part of the camp was built way back in 1902! It even has a tiny electric railroad to carry supplies from the road down to the camp. This amazing place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Exploring Camp Ossipee's Design
Camp Ossipee is in eastern Holderness. It sits on a piece of land called Mooney Point, which sticks out into Squam Lake. The camp has two main buildings and four smaller buildings. It also has that cool little railroad. The railroad helps move things from the road down to the main buildings, which are closer to the lake.
The Older Camp Building
The older camp building is a one-story wooden house. It's covered in wooden shingles and looks a bit like a wide "V" shape. The side facing the lake has a big screened porch. This porch uses thin logs for support, giving it a rustic, natural look. Inside, the building has a cozy, rustic feel. There's a hexagonal (six-sided) living room right in the middle.
The Newer Camp Building
The newer main building is also a one-story wooden structure. It's shaped more like a rectangle. This building is set a bit further back from the water. It's located to the east of the older camp.
The Story of Camp Ossipee
Before the 1890s, the land where Camp Ossipee now stands was a farm. It belonged to a man named George Mooney.
From Farmland to Fun Camp
In 1895, George Mooney sold all of Mooney Point. It was bought to be used for summer fun. This was one of the first times such a large piece of land in Holderness was changed from a farm to a recreation area. Ellen Balch Huntington bought the land. She started several summer camps there. These camps were probably for her friends and family to enjoy.
It's believed that the oldest building at Camp Ossipee was built around this time. Ellen Huntington likely designed it herself, in a simple, informal way.
New Owners and New Beginnings
In 1904, the southern part of Mooney Point became a boys' camp called Camp Aloha. However, that camp closed down in 1934. Later, in 1946, Quincy Porter bought the land where Camp Ossipee is today. The property is still owned by Quincy Porter's family members.
Images for kids
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The Porter family camp
