About Us

What the Society Has to Offer...

The Society’s Museum

The Society maintains a Museum in the Academy Building at Gilmanton Corner. It is open to the public by appointment throughout the year. Contact the curators, Barbara Angevine (267-6132)or Marion McIntyre (267-6308)for information.

The Curators are responsible for a revolving exhibit of artifacts, photographs and written materials in cases in the Academy Building near the Town Clerk and Selectmen's offices.

Donations of items of specific historical interest to Gilmanton are welcome.

2009 Summer Program Series

Every summer the Society hosts a summer series of programs that bring history to Gilmanton. The topics vary from individuals and groups who made a difference, to unusual books related to the region and its history. Each year the Society presents at least one program focusing especially on an aspect of the Town’s history.

All programs take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month, May through September. Programs are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.

Social hour, with refreshments, begins at 7:00 pm.

The programs begin promptly at 7:30.

• May 26th, 7:30 pm
  Old Town Hall, Gilmanton Iron Works

  Yankee Humor & the New England Story Telling Tradition. For more than ten years, Rebecca Rule has collected stories of New Hampshire, especially those that reflect what's special about this rocky old place. She'll tell some of them -- her favorites are the funny ones -- and invite audience members to contribute a few of their own.

• June 23rd, 7:30 pm
  Gilmanton Academy, Gilmanton Corners

  Dressing A Colonial Lady. Adam Spencer will help Mary dress, layer upon layer, in an authentic reproduction of a 1770s gown, complete with "stays," stomacher, petticoat and a "bumroll."

• July 28th 7:30 pm
  Old Town Hall, Gilmanton Iron Works

  Gilmanton 1900 to 1920. Pat Clarke has compiled another two decades of Gilmanton history drawn from newspaper reports of the time. Readings from the newspaper articles are illustrated with photos of the period.

• August 25th 7:30 pm
  Gilmanton Academy, Gilmanton Corners

  The Great New Hampshire Sheep Boom. Steve Taylor, former NH Commissioner of Agriculture, tells us how sheep raising in the mid 19th century changed the New Hampshire landscape.

• September 22nd 7:30 pm
  Old Town Hall, Gilmanton Iron Works

  Before Peyton Place: In Search of the Real Grace Metalious. Robert Perreault introduces us to the young Grace De Repentigny Metalious, revealing a side of the author that has remained largely unknown to the general public.

Click here to see a schedule and description of the programs.

Publications and gifts

The History of Gilmanton by Daniel Lancaster, covers the period from Gilmanton's incorporation in 1727 to the year 1845. Hardbound reprints are available for $55.00.

History of Gilmanton to 1875 by William Badger, picks up where Lancaster left off. In addition to information on the industry and politics of the time, it includes information of genealogical interest. $10

Gilmanton Summers , by Jane Cumming, records her recollections of summers in Gilmanton in the early 20th century. It is illustrated with photographs from the period. $15

Gilmanton My Home Town, Memoirs of Louise Place Shurbert, illustrated with photos from the museum collection. $12

The Dear Old Lake , Memories of Crystal Lake and the Village of Gilmanton Iron Works, by Elizabeth Widger Arms and Other "First Family" Members. Illustrated. $20

The Tavern A brief history of the historic Temperance Tavern in Gilmanton Corner.(pamphlet) $5

Smith Meeting House Smith Meeting House was the first house of worship in Gilmanton. The complex remains an historic highlight. (pamphlet) $5

The Academy The building now housing the Town offices and meeting rooms is the third on the site. (pamphlet) $5

Gilmanton Landmarks. A brief history, illustrated with pictures and drawings, of many sites and buildings in Gilmanton with "a story to tell." (pamphlet) $7

Historic maps

• 1860-1960 shows roads and residents for those years. $6

• Lancaster History Plan of Gilmanton showing original lots and ranges with development to 1845 superimposed. $6

Gilmanton historic photo magnets. Historic scenes of the Town adhered to flat magnets. $2

Historic postcards. A selection of reproductions in full color of postcards issued prior to 1920. $1

Shipping and handling $2 per order plus postage. Please make checks payable to Gilmanton Historical Society and mail with your order to the Society at PO Box 236, Gilmanton, NH 03237.