Chesham, New Hampshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chesham Village District
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The former Chesham railroad station
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Harrisville, NH Roughly bounded by Yellow Wings, Seaver, Chesham, and Marienfield Rds. |
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| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| MPS | Harrisville MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003102 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1986 |
Chesham is a small, historic community located within the town of Harrisville in New Hampshire, USA. It is part of Cheshire County. A special part of Chesham is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Chesham Village District. This means it's recognized for its important history and buildings. Some areas to the south are also part of another historic district called the Pottersville District.
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Discover Chesham Village
Chesham is a quiet place with a rich past. It started as a farming area in the early 1800s. The community grew a lot when the railroad arrived in 1880. This brought new buildings and businesses to the area.
A Look at Chesham's Past
When the railroad came to Chesham, it changed the village. A train station, called a depot, was built. George Bemis, a local resident, turned his property into a place where horses and carriages could be kept, known as a livery stable.
The name "Chesham" was given by George Chase. He was a summer visitor who had a large estate nearby in Dublin. His estate was also named Chesham. The village's busy time slowed down after 1936, when the train service stopped.
Learning and Community
Chesham is home to the Wells Memorial School. This elementary school teaches about 55 students up to the 6th grade. It's an important part of the community for younger kids.
The Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham is another key part of the village. It was formed by joining two older churches: the Chesham Baptist Church and the Harrisville Congregational Church. The Chesham Baptist Church has a very long history, dating back to 1785. Its church building was first built in 1797 and was updated in 1830 and again in 1844.
The Historic District
The Chesham Village Historic District mainly covers a section of Chesham Road. It stretches eastward from where Chesham Road meets Roxbury and Silver Lake Roads. This meeting point is a central spot in the village.
Here, you can find the old railroad station and a store building that is still standing. Also in this area is the house of George Bemis. It's a beautiful home built in the Greek Revival style, which was popular a long time ago. The district includes six houses in total. These homes show different architectural styles, from Greek Revival to Colonial Revival.
