Welcome to the New Market Historical Society
Our goal is 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 as they have recently changed.
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!
The public can contact us to make arrangements to open at another date/time for a private showing.
Call 603-659-7420
or email newmarketnh.historical society@gmail.com
Stratham’s Antiques Road Show” returns to the Morgera Room in the Stratham Firehouse. Antiquarians Dan Olmstead of Olmstead Antiques in Newfields and Greg Pruitt and Lionel Loveless of Collector’s Eye in Stratham and Route 1 Antiques in Hampton Falls are back to appraise a wide range of heirlooms and artifacts. Items for appraisal include furniture, art, jewelry, military memorabilia, photographs, china, glass, etc. They can work from photos of large furniture and other large items.
For 33 years, this always fun event helps to fundraise for the Stratham Historical Society. Modest appraisal fees are collected by cash or check at the door: $5 for 1 item, $8 for two items, $12 for three items and four items for $15. Limit of 5 items please. Plenty of free parking.
—-
On December 14, 2024 the NH Sons of the Revolution will be sponsoring an re-enactment of the “Powder Keg Raid” that happened December 14th & 15th in 1774 at Fort William and Mary (today known as Fort Constitution). On Sunday, December 15th at 3 pm at the Newmarket Community Church will be a commenative service sponsorsed by the Church, the New Market Historical Society, as well as the NH Sons of the Revolution regarding Newmarket’s role in this attack and the subsequent hiding of powder kegs.
This service is open to the public, and for those who were members of the Newmarket Militia - you are invited to attend in your old militia uniforms.
Newmarket’s 300th Celebration
Members of the Newmarket 300 Steering Commitee are preparing for the town’s 300th celebration scheduled for 2027.
They continue to welcome input from the public.
Any interested individual, business or organizational representative is invited to attend the next meeting on:
Wednesday, October 9th, 6-7 pm at Sunrise Sunset Center behind the Police Station.
——
(artwork by Jonathan Morrill NHS Class of 1979)
Many thanks go to Superintendent of Schools Todd Allen, and High School Principal Andrew Korman for arranging this event, and to the student guides who gave tours prior to the program.
School Art Department faculty Annette Blake and Cristina Boisvert transformed the school display cabinets into decades of school memorabilia from the 1920s into the new century.
—-
In October, Newmarket’s Third Grade Classes will tour the museum.
——
…This will be in conjunction with the Newmarket Historical Society and Cemetery Trustees to take care of untended cemeteries. There are over 100 cemeteries in Newmarket, many dating back to the town’s founding. Dozens of smaller cemeteries are currently uncared for. Unfortunately, the town is unable to maintain them due to funding, resources, or because they are on private land without public access.
“These neglected cemeteries have become overgrown with brush and weeds and if nothing is done, these places and the history they represent will disappear forever. As we look forward to America’s 250th anniversary and Newmarket’s 300th, I am asking Newmarket citizens to come out and lend a hand at the first ever Newmarket Cemetery Volunteer Day; to tend to Newmarket’s past as we look to the town’s future.
“Cemetery Day Volunteers will help by performing lawn care at cemeteries selected by the Cemetery Trustees, such as mowing, pruning, raking, and repainting metal gates. Volunteers will NOT be touching or cleaning the gravestones, as the age of the stone requires special care and materials to prevent erosion. After the volunteer day is done, the Historical Society will put on a presentation about the history of the cemetery, describing what life was like for Newmarketers during the 1800’s”.
(Photo: of the old Norton Cemetery off Pond Street that was reclaimed by Newmarket’s Sons of the American Legion around 2010).
“This is my first attempt at organizing a community service day, so I ask for patience while I work out what the heck I’m doing. I’m hoping to do this either this Fall or in Spring 2025 At this stage I’m trying to gauge public interest and support for this volunteer project, so if anyone listening is interested or has an opinion please reach out to me an my town email bward@newmarketnh.gov.”
We wish to acknowledge of business partners:
We wish to thank Proulx Oil and Propane, and Chinburg Builders who generously donated funds
for our efforts to acquire new artifacts and preserve those manuscripts, diaries, letters, and articles already in our collection.
—
Another business partner is Seacoast Test Prep, whose private tutoring classes are offered at The Loft, 125 Main St., Suite E, Newmarket.
——
The Stone School Museum, built in 1841, as a two-room schoolhouse, and now home to the New Market Historical Society, is located high upon Zion’s Hill on Granite Street. Hours of operation are in our program of events and are on our web page and Facebook. If you need further information, please call 603-659-3289 and leave a message or via email at newmarketnh.historicalsociety@gmail.com. Your inquiry will be returned as soon as possible.