Welcome to the New Market Historical Society

We are dedicated to increasing public understanding and enthusiasm for our local history and preservation.  Our mission is to provide a central location, where we can store, introduce, interpret, and stimulate the study of local history. Our goals are to tell Newmarket’s story, preserve its local artifacts, and sponsor historical events and educational opportunities.  Please consult our program of events for exact dates, times, and locations for our meetings and events.  The public is always welcome to attend our educational meetings, which are free except for select special events.

Donations are always welcomed and greatly appreciated!

2017  Marks the 100th Anniversary

of the U.S. entry into the Great War

We commemorate that event with a season dedicated to the years 1914-1920.  We look back at life on both the battle front and the home front — a time of sacrifice, of economic uncertainty, and of devastating illness with the pandemic of 1918.  

The Stone School Museum’s 2017 July-August Open House:   Saturdays 10 am-2pm

This Sumer features Newmarket’s victory parade of 1918 which celebrated Armistice Day.  Newmarket High School Art Teacher Annette Blake helped in the creation of this vignette.  Also on display will be WWI uniforms and military gear, as well as period costumes and posters.  

                                                                                                                  (photo: Arthur Bergeron, WW I)

Knitting Demonstration

On the second Saturday in July and August, Shirley Walker and Susie Beers will hold a knitting demonstration detailing the military apparel that the State expected Newmarket’s Red Cross Chapter to provide for its servicemen. 

Liberty Tea & Fan Display

Due to the popularity of last summer’s Victorian Tea, the Historical Society will hold a Liberty Tea in July, in keeping with the bond-raising events of that same name.  Along with refreshments typical of the era, this event will also feature a display and discussion of ladies’ fans of the period (many of which are part of the Museum’s collection).  

Those attending are invited to bring in their own fans from home for appraisal. 

For details on 2017 programming, see our Events page.

Coming Next on September 25, 2017 :

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED

Engraved in bronze on the Newmarket Memorial Bandstand are 180 names of the men and women from town who served in the Great War.  

This presentation is an introduction to just some of the stories behind the names which appear, as well as those names which were omitted  (such as the two young National Guardsmen killed guarding the railroad bridge over the Lamprey River).   As in all wars, there are those who enlisted eagerly or grudgingly  for  pride of service and patriotic duty, excitement of adventure, as  a way of escaping the drudgery of farm and factory work, or  as a path to citizenship.

These are a few stories of those who readily volunteered or were drafted, of family sacrifice, valor, and loss.   

The biographical sketches of these men and women will appear in the military section of our website.  The research has been compiled over the past several years by members 0f the Newmarket Veterans Memorial Trust Committee — Janice and Wayne Rosa, Wil Hamel, and John Carmichael.