November 2010

Following the Civil War, the building came into possession of the Methodist-Episcopal Society, which in turn painted the exterior beige with chocolate trim, addressed the interior's crumbling plaster by covering it with local hemlock paneling, and added paired stained and etched glass windows (seen in the picture below), as remodeling in the then-popular Carpenter Gothic proceeded.

In 1943, George Ames bought the then-vacant building and gave it to Gilford's newly formed historical society which then took the name "Thompson-Ames Historical Society" to honor the benefactor's lineage.

On the NH State Register of Historic Places, the Union Meetinghouse is the setting of most of the historical society's monthly programs.

About 1838, Gilford farmer Benjamin Rowe decided to try his hand at making bricks. In turn, he built this Greek Revival Cape for his family. Following occupancy by members of the Rowe Family for almost a century, the farm passed onto Ernest Sawyer, the operator of a popular dairy there until 1947. In turn, the dairy farm was owned and operated by Alvah Wilson and his wife Ruth Sawyer Wilson. In 1969 the town of Gilford became owner of the farm. Gilford's three schools were built on land that once was part of this farm.

A unique floor plan and surviving details, including vintage brick fireplaces as well as antique paneling and hardware, have entitled the Benjamin Rowe House to be included on the NH State Register of Historic Places.

The Rowe House is appropriately furnished with items from the vintage home of Arthur A. Tilton and his family. The second floor affords views of construction of this c. 1838 farmhouse and, thanks to Arthur A. Tilton family furnishings, rooms of 1900s vintage.

The permanent and temporary exhibits at the museum showcase the variety of history and culture found in the area, including: archaeology, transportation, Native American history, the Old Fort and Indian Wars, schools, and much more. The museum also takes advantage of traveling exhibits from other institutions throughout the United States.

Located along the Winnipesaukee River in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire, the Belknap Mill in Laconia is located two hours north of Boston, Massachusetts and 30 minutes north of Concord, the capital of the state.
Built in 1823 as a textile mill, the Belknap Mill has served as an art and history center and meeting place since 1970. In a nationally covered scenario, the private, non-profit, cultural organization was the first in the country to be awarded Federal funds, and recognition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for preserving an industrial structure.

The Belknap Mill offers a permanent exhibit on industrial history, changing exhibits on art and history, education programs for adults and children, workshops, lectures, festivals and other events, year-round. The Society's programs, preservation projects, community service and management have won national and state awards. The Belknap Mill is the Official Meetinghouse of New Hampshire, designated by a former governor for its architectural, geographical and historical significance.

Incorporated in 1972, the mission of the Poudre Landmarks Foundation, Inc. is to preserve, restore, protect and interpret the architectural and cultural heritage of the Fort Collins area. PLF also provides educational programs about life in early Fort Collins through tours, displays and special events.

The NSCDA in Colorado purchased the building in 1954 and now operates it as the only hotel museum in The National Society. Extensive work has been undertaken to preserve the building and many of its original furnishings and decorative art objects remain.

The Laconia Historical and Museum Society is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the City of Laconia, New Hampshire. Founded originally as the Laconia Historical Society in 1951, the organization was restructured in 1980 as a New Hampshire Voluntary Charitable Organization. In 1994, a second group, known as the Laconia Museum Society was incorporated in the city. The two organizations merged in 1998 and the surviving entity was named the Laconia Historical and Museum Society (LHMS).

The Society’s offices are housed in the Laconia Public Library, which is a National Register of Historic Places structure located in the heart of downtown Laconia. LHMS conducts monthly programs, circulates a monthly newsletter, and runs multiple programs on a widely watched local cable-access television station. Small changing exhibitions throughout the library interpret both local history and American cultural themes to more than 137,000 patrons annually. (Photo courtesy of William Hemmel)

The Historical Society of Cheshire County offers a wide variety of activities for all ages throughout the year. At the former Ball Residence at 246 Main Street, are housed the Society's museum exhibits, library, and archives, as well as the educational center, offices, and museum store. Museum exhibits include research level collections of glass, pottery, and other locally produced items, along with a regular schedule of temporary feature exhibits.

Each year more then a thousand people use the Wright Room research library to conduct genealogy and local history research from more than 300,000 items in the collection. To educate and assist patrons with their research, the Society sponsors a Genealogy Group and provides research service for a fee.

Today, the Pearce-McAllister Cottage is home to the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, which manages the site, and has exhibits throughout the house. The collection encompasses more than 10,000 items dating from 1680 through today.