Welcome!
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Founded in 1938, the Mission of the Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society is the collection, preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts pertaining to the history of the communities of Wakefield and Brookfield, NH and the preservation of the buildings and grounds under the care of the the Corporation.
The Society is the proud owner of the 1858 "Little Red School House" and the Freeman Pike Cobbler Shop, located in the Wakefield Corner Historic District. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Society is a 501 c(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. |
Upcoming 2025 Season Announcements
Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society Program: The Witches of Wakefield
Did you ever wonder where the name Witchtrot Road came from? Do you
think Wakefield is haunted? How about your house? Everyone is welcome to
find the answers to these questions as the Wakefield-Brookfield Historical
Society kicks off its 2025 season on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 PM in the
Community Room of the Gafney Library, 14 High Street, Sanbornville.
President Nancy Spencer Smith will tell us all about the “Witches of Wakefield”. The program will begin with the Board catching us up on the restoration of the
Cobbler’s Shop and the renovations projects the Society has undertaken on
the “Little Red Schoolhouse”.
All our meetings are always followed by a social time and delicious snacks.
For more information and directions, call Jennifer at 603-522-6713.
Update on the Cobbler Shop 2024
We are starting down the home stretch on the renovation! This week some finishing touches began: paint, Servpro clean out, interior paint began, preliminary grading. Happy to share some recent pictures.
We are starting down the home stretch on the renovation! This week some finishing touches began: paint, Servpro clean out, interior paint began, preliminary grading. Happy to share some recent pictures.
WAKEFIELD-BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESENTS
"A Walk Back in Time: The Secrets of Cellar Holes," presented by Adair Mulligan
Tuesday October 8, 2024
7:00 PM
Brookfield Town House
267 Wentworth Rd.
Brookfield, NH 03872
REFRESHMENT AND SOCIAL TIME TO FOLLOW
THIS EVENT MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE HUMANITIES
(http://www.nhhumanities.org)
CALL JENNIFER AT 603-522-6713 FOR INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS
PRESENTS
"A Walk Back in Time: The Secrets of Cellar Holes," presented by Adair Mulligan
Tuesday October 8, 2024
7:00 PM
Brookfield Town House
267 Wentworth Rd.
Brookfield, NH 03872
REFRESHMENT AND SOCIAL TIME TO FOLLOW
THIS EVENT MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE HUMANITIES
(http://www.nhhumanities.org)
CALL JENNIFER AT 603-522-6713 FOR INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS
L to R: Nancy Spencer-Smith, Gov. Chris Sununu, Bruce Rich, Paula Bellemore Exec. Dir. LCHIP, Cheryl Kimball, Ben Owen Chair LCHIP, and Kate Niewenhous. Photo Credit: Joe Klementovich
December 11, 2023
LCHIP AWARDS ANNOUNCED AND GRANTED AT NH STATE HOUSE
The Executive Board and Members of the Wakefield Brookfield Historical Society are so honored to have been granted an LCHIP award of $36,960 for the first of three phases of the renovation of its primary building, “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” In 1858, $1,000 was appropriated to build a new schoolhouse constructed of brick, necessitated by the untimely fire destruction of the neighboring wooden schoolhouse. It proudly served as a major center of primary school education in Wakefield for over 85 years as it represented the progressive attitudes toward public school architecture that permeated New England towns in the 1850s due to the efforts of reformers like Henry Barnard and Horace Mann. Today, it one of the few brick schoolhouses surviving in rural NH.
Fortuitously, in 1938 the Wakefield Brookfield Historical Society was formed as a nonprofit organization with a purpose and mission of preserving any buildings it might acquire as well as any collection items. In 1944 the Schoolhouse closed its doors to formal education and in 1950 the Historical Society leased the buildings resulting in ownership in 1956 by the sale of the buildings for $1.00.
The effects of a high-water table, silt soil, and poorly designed aprons abutting the perimeter leading to excessive rain infiltration into the crawl space of the Schoolhouse resulted in years of undetected and increasing foundation demise with accompanying humidity, mold, and masonry deterioration. At the Annual meeting of the Historical Society in August 2021, after two years of infrequent usage of the Schoolhouse due to covid and failure of the Ex. Board to meet, a new Board with extensive appreciation of, experience with, and knowledge of historical buildings was voted in. After initial assessment assistance from Strawberry Banke, it became clear that the expertise of NH Preservation Alliance would provide the needed monetary assistance for us to acquire a comprehensive “Conditions Assessment” of the 3 buildings under the ownership of the Historical Society. Once the assessment was completed it was evident that critical renovation funding was needed to preserve all the buildings. The Board, after reviewing the options available, wisely decided to seek the first phase of the funding needed from LCHIP.
Wakefield Village, for most of the 19th century, was the town’s commercial, cultural, governmental and educational center. In 1983 the Town voted to establish an Historic District for Wakefield Corner (Village). This district, with over 25 buildings, is remarkably well preserved, notable for its fine 18th and 19th century federal and Greek revival houses, several of which had been stagecoach stops and inns with open vistas of expansive hayfields, reflective of its farming, agricultural roots and prime soils.
This LCHIP grant not only promotes the purposes and mission of the Historical Society for “preservation and interpretation of historical buildings and artifacts, pertaining to the history of Wakefield” but also affirms the purposes of the Wakefield Historic District and our town zoning and master plan. For this the Town of Wakefield is most thankful for LCHIP’s support for our preservation efforts.
It should be acknowledged that in addition to its support of building preservation this LCHIP funding, due to its requirement of the grantee receiving a “match of the same amount as the grant”, has the effect of bringing considerable money into the State as well as community through its obvious employment benefit to locally skilled contractors and local businesses that are accessed for materials. In many instances these “match funds” are acquired from trust funds that learn of and become favorably disposed to the applicant as well as funds from local and neighboring residents and summer visitors. LCHIP funding has the continuing effect of growing interest and commitment to preservation causes. For once a project is favorably completed it engenders pride in the supporting community for not only the completed project but those that are needed in the future!
#LCHIP2023
FB: Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society
LCHIP AWARDS ANNOUNCED AND GRANTED AT NH STATE HOUSE
The Executive Board and Members of the Wakefield Brookfield Historical Society are so honored to have been granted an LCHIP award of $36,960 for the first of three phases of the renovation of its primary building, “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” In 1858, $1,000 was appropriated to build a new schoolhouse constructed of brick, necessitated by the untimely fire destruction of the neighboring wooden schoolhouse. It proudly served as a major center of primary school education in Wakefield for over 85 years as it represented the progressive attitudes toward public school architecture that permeated New England towns in the 1850s due to the efforts of reformers like Henry Barnard and Horace Mann. Today, it one of the few brick schoolhouses surviving in rural NH.
Fortuitously, in 1938 the Wakefield Brookfield Historical Society was formed as a nonprofit organization with a purpose and mission of preserving any buildings it might acquire as well as any collection items. In 1944 the Schoolhouse closed its doors to formal education and in 1950 the Historical Society leased the buildings resulting in ownership in 1956 by the sale of the buildings for $1.00.
The effects of a high-water table, silt soil, and poorly designed aprons abutting the perimeter leading to excessive rain infiltration into the crawl space of the Schoolhouse resulted in years of undetected and increasing foundation demise with accompanying humidity, mold, and masonry deterioration. At the Annual meeting of the Historical Society in August 2021, after two years of infrequent usage of the Schoolhouse due to covid and failure of the Ex. Board to meet, a new Board with extensive appreciation of, experience with, and knowledge of historical buildings was voted in. After initial assessment assistance from Strawberry Banke, it became clear that the expertise of NH Preservation Alliance would provide the needed monetary assistance for us to acquire a comprehensive “Conditions Assessment” of the 3 buildings under the ownership of the Historical Society. Once the assessment was completed it was evident that critical renovation funding was needed to preserve all the buildings. The Board, after reviewing the options available, wisely decided to seek the first phase of the funding needed from LCHIP.
Wakefield Village, for most of the 19th century, was the town’s commercial, cultural, governmental and educational center. In 1983 the Town voted to establish an Historic District for Wakefield Corner (Village). This district, with over 25 buildings, is remarkably well preserved, notable for its fine 18th and 19th century federal and Greek revival houses, several of which had been stagecoach stops and inns with open vistas of expansive hayfields, reflective of its farming, agricultural roots and prime soils.
This LCHIP grant not only promotes the purposes and mission of the Historical Society for “preservation and interpretation of historical buildings and artifacts, pertaining to the history of Wakefield” but also affirms the purposes of the Wakefield Historic District and our town zoning and master plan. For this the Town of Wakefield is most thankful for LCHIP’s support for our preservation efforts.
It should be acknowledged that in addition to its support of building preservation this LCHIP funding, due to its requirement of the grantee receiving a “match of the same amount as the grant”, has the effect of bringing considerable money into the State as well as community through its obvious employment benefit to locally skilled contractors and local businesses that are accessed for materials. In many instances these “match funds” are acquired from trust funds that learn of and become favorably disposed to the applicant as well as funds from local and neighboring residents and summer visitors. LCHIP funding has the continuing effect of growing interest and commitment to preservation causes. For once a project is favorably completed it engenders pride in the supporting community for not only the completed project but those that are needed in the future!
#LCHIP2023
FB: Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society
TO MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY OF THE WAKFIELD BROOKFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A recent Conditions Assessment Report of our 3 buildings documents in detail their serious need for extensive and costly repair. Our fundraising committee has been busy researching the timing and requirements of numerous grant funding opportunities. Recently our Board has decided to immediately move ahead with the restoration of the 175-year-old woodshed that now houses the Cobbler’s Shop. Bids have been secured and 3 grant funding applications will be submitted shortly, with work anticipated to commence this summer.
Our second step, in what will be a multi-year project, will be application to LCHIP for the essential funding to remediate the humidity, pervasive water and foundation issues in our 175-year-old Schoolhouse. This funding, which requires a “matching grant” would not be awarded until mid-November and restoration would begin in the spring of 2024.
All grant funders want to know if the Board, Membership and the Community are financially supportive of the funding project. If you see yourself as a supporter, please send a check to WBHS, PO Box 795, Sanbornville NH 03872 . If you cannot support us immediately, please email Nancy our president at [email protected] letting her know how much you intend to donate so you can be counted as a supporter in our upcoming grant funding applications.
This is a long overdue step in our 85-year history. We are excited to continue the preservation and usage of our buildings. So, stay tuned for more information, and please join us for our first meeting on May 9 at 7 pm in the Schoolhouse, 2851 Wakefield Rd., Wakefield.
A recent Conditions Assessment Report of our 3 buildings documents in detail their serious need for extensive and costly repair. Our fundraising committee has been busy researching the timing and requirements of numerous grant funding opportunities. Recently our Board has decided to immediately move ahead with the restoration of the 175-year-old woodshed that now houses the Cobbler’s Shop. Bids have been secured and 3 grant funding applications will be submitted shortly, with work anticipated to commence this summer.
Our second step, in what will be a multi-year project, will be application to LCHIP for the essential funding to remediate the humidity, pervasive water and foundation issues in our 175-year-old Schoolhouse. This funding, which requires a “matching grant” would not be awarded until mid-November and restoration would begin in the spring of 2024.
All grant funders want to know if the Board, Membership and the Community are financially supportive of the funding project. If you see yourself as a supporter, please send a check to WBHS, PO Box 795, Sanbornville NH 03872 . If you cannot support us immediately, please email Nancy our president at [email protected] letting her know how much you intend to donate so you can be counted as a supporter in our upcoming grant funding applications.
This is a long overdue step in our 85-year history. We are excited to continue the preservation and usage of our buildings. So, stay tuned for more information, and please join us for our first meeting on May 9 at 7 pm in the Schoolhouse, 2851 Wakefield Rd., Wakefield.
Membership
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Currently, members and the public meet on the second Tuesday of the month, May through October, for a presentation on a historical topic, a business meeting, and socializing. Use of the archives is available by appointment.
Membership is renewed each year in April/May at an individual, sustaining, benefactor or life member category. |
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Address: 2851 Wakefield Road - P.O. Box 795
Sanbornville, NH 03872-0795 |
Copyright © 2023 Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society
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