National Register of Historic Places listings in Merrimack County, New Hampshire facts for kids
Welcome to Merrimack County, New Hampshire! This area is full of amazing places that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This special list helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for historic spots!
In Merrimack County, there are 88 different places on this list. Two of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. They are super important to the whole country. Let's explore some of these cool historic sites!
Contents
Famous Historic Places
Canterbury Shaker Village
One of the most famous places here is the Canterbury Shaker Village. It's located about 4 miles east of Canterbury. This village is one of the best-preserved Shaker communities in the world.
The Shakers were a religious group known for their simple lifestyle, amazing craftsmanship, and unique way of living together. Visiting this village is like stepping back in time to see how they lived, worked, and worshipped. It's a really peaceful and interesting place to learn about a different way of life.
Daniel Webster Family Home
Another very important spot is the Daniel Webster Family Home in Franklin. This farm belonged to the family of Daniel Webster, who was a very famous American statesman. He was a brilliant speaker and politician in the 1800s.
This home helps us understand more about his life and where he grew up. It's a key part of New Hampshire's history and America's past.
Cool Old Buildings and Homes
Historic Houses in Concord
Concord, the capital city, has many historic homes. The H. Styles Bridges House, for example, is the official home of New Hampshire's governor. It's a grand house where important decisions are made.
Other interesting homes include the Chamberlin House, the Henry J. Crippen House, and the Lewis Downing, Jr., House. These houses show us what life was like for important people in Concord many years ago. They have unique designs and stories.
The Franklin Pierce House was once the home of President Franklin Pierce, who lived there from 1856 until he passed away in 1869. Sadly, this house burned down in 1981, but its history remains important.
Old Schools and Libraries
The Millville School in Concord is another historic building. It reminds us of how kids used to learn many years ago. The Salisbury Academy Building now serves as the town offices for Salisbury. Imagine going to school in a building that's now a town hall!
The Hall Memorial Library in Northfield is a beautiful old library. It's a place where people have gone to read and learn for a very long time.
Town Halls and Meeting Houses
Many towns in Merrimack County have historic town halls and meeting houses. These buildings were often the heart of the community. They were used for town meetings, church services, and other important gatherings.
Examples include the Allenstown Meeting House, the Baptist New Meeting House in New London, and the Bradford Center Meetinghouse. The Henniker Town Hall and Loudon Town Hall are also on the list. These places show how towns were organized and how people came together in the past.
Bridges and Other Structures
Covered Bridges
Merrimack County is home to several charming covered bridges. These bridges are special because they have roofs and sides, which helped protect the wooden structure from the weather.
- The Bement Covered Bridge in Bradford crosses the Warner River.
- The Dalton Covered Bridge in Warner also spans the Warner River.
- The Hopkinton Railroad Covered Bridge crosses the Contoocook River in Contoocook village.
- The Keniston Bridge in Andover goes over the Blackwater River.
- The Pineground Bridge in Chichester crosses the Suncook River.
- The Rowell's Covered Bridge in West Hopkinton also crosses the Contoocook River.
- The Waterloo Covered Bridge in Warner is another beautiful bridge over the Warner River.
These bridges are like time capsules, showing us how people built things long ago.
Unique Structures
The Memorial Arch of Tilton in Northfield is a unique and grand archway. It's a striking landmark that stands out.
The Sulphite Railroad Bridge in Franklin is another interesting structure. It's an old railroad bridge over the Winnipesaukee River, showing the history of trains and transportation in the area.
Historic Districts
Some places are listed as "historic districts" because they have many important buildings grouped together.
- The Concord Civic District includes several important government buildings in Concord.
- The Downtown Concord Historic District covers a large part of the city's main area, showing how the downtown looked and functioned over time.
- The Franklin Falls Historic District includes most of downtown Franklin, giving us a peek into its industrial past.
- The Bear Brook State Park Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp Historic District in Allenstown shows where young men lived and worked during the Great Depression, building parks and trails.
- The Suncook Village Commercial-Civic Historic District in Pembroke highlights the historic shops and public buildings in Suncook village.
These districts help us understand how communities grew and changed over the years.
Other Interesting Sites
The Beaver Meadow Brook Archeological Site in Concord is a very important Native American site. It helps us learn about the earliest people who lived in this area.
The Potter Place Railroad Station in Andover now houses the Andover Historical Society Museum. It's a great example of how old buildings can be given new life.
The Old North Cemetery in Concord is a historic burial ground. Cemeteries can tell us a lot about the people who lived in a place and how they honored their loved ones.
Merrimack County is truly rich in history, with many places that tell stories of the past. Each of these sites helps us connect with the people and events that shaped New Hampshire and the United States.
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