Properties added to State Register

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:12:00 GMT

The New Hampshire Department of Historical Resources announced that 12 properties have recently been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, including three in Hooksett and one in Allenstown.

The New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places recognizes and honors properties that are meaningful in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or traditions of New Hampshire’s residents and communities. It is one part of the state’s efforts to encourage public and private efforts to identify and protect historically significant properties throughout New Hampshire.

“These irreplaceable resources are the physical manifestation of our state’s history and identity,” said New Hampshire’s state historic preservation officer Elizabeth Muzzey. “They create New Hampshire’s distinct identity and serve as the backbone to the state’s heritage tourism economy.”

The most recent additions to the New Hampshire State Register are:

• Head Chapel and Cemetery, Hooksett. Originally an 1839 school, the Head Chapel was remodeled in 1922 to serve as a chapel for the cemetery, which has been in use since 1800. The chapel was a model school, being not only one of the most substantial schools in the area and representative of local brick manufacturing, but also remains one of the most intact one-room schoolhouses left in the region.

• Hooksett Village Bridge, Hooksett. Known locally as the “Lilac Bridge,” this 1909 structure is one of the state’s nine surviving metal truss bridges designed by engineer John William Storrs, the only bridge design specialist in the state in the early 20th century. The three-high-span truss bridges an important crossing of the Merrimack River, first bridged after 1804 by the proprietors of the Londonderry Turnpike.

Arah W. Prescott Library, Hooksett. Prominent citizen Arah W. Prescott donated the funds to build the town library in 1909, and designed the building himself. Completed in 1910, the building and the institution it houses have contributed significantly to the education of the citizens of Hooksett.

• Allenstown Public Library, Allenstown. Erected circa 1934- 35 by Works Progress Administration workers, this Colonial Revival structure is the only building in Allenstown constructed expressly as a library. The design by Harold, Homes, Owen, Inc. has well served the community for more than 70 years.

Anyone wishing to nominate a property to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places must research the history of the nominated property and document it fully on individual inventory forms from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Having a property listed in the Register does not impose restrictions on private property owners. For more information, visit http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr

New Hampshire’s Division of Historical Resources, the “State Historic Preservation Office,” was established in 1974 in order to preserve the historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural resources of New Hampshire that are among the state’s most important environmental assets. Historic preservation promotes the use, understanding and conservation of such resources for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of New Hampshire’s citizens. For more information, visit www.nh.gov/nhdr or call 271-3483.

Head School and cemetery on Historic Register

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:06:00 GMT

The Head School/ Chapel and Head Cemetery have been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.

The Register, established in 2001, is one part of the state’s efforts to recognize and encourage the identification and protection of historical, architectural, archeological and cultural resources.

These irreplaceable resources may be buildings, districts, sites, landscapes, structures or objects that are meaningful in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or traditions of New Hampshire residents and communities.

The State Register is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, which is the state’s Historic Preservation Office.

The earliest gravesites in Head Cemetery date to 1800, when Hooksett was a part of Chester. Twenty-five burials can be identified between 1800 and 1822 when the property was transferred to the new town of Hooksett. It contains the graves of early Hooksett settlers and incorporators and their descendants.

The headstones vary from modest to quite ornate.

The graves of Natt Head, who served as governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1879 to 1881, and family members are there.

A schoolhouse was first built on the site in 1805 by the town of Chester. Hooksett built the present brick building in 1839. It served as the District 1 schoolhouse until it was closed in 1912 for lack of pupils. The town voted to raise the sum of money ($300) necessary to remodel it as a chapel in 1922. The Annual Report for 1923 indicates that payments were made for labor and materials, but it is unclear exactly what was done and how often the chapel was used. In 1965, the Hooksett Woman’s Club undertook a renovation project. A rededication of the building as a nondenominational chapel was held in 1966.

The 1966 Town Report says that the chapel was open to the public weekdays whenever the caretakers were in the area, and on Sundays and holidays it was open from 10 a.m. until dark during the summer months.

Weddings were held there, and school children stopped by. A review of the guest book shows that from 1966 to 1984 visitors came to the chapel frequently.

The entries ceased in the mid-1980s, presumably when the chapel was closed to public access. Since 1984, the buildings have been vacant.

It is one of a small group of 19th century brick schoolhouses in New Hampshire. The schoolhouse is unusual in that it was built of brick in an age when most similar buildings were more cheaply constructed of wood. Fortunately, Hooksett was at the heart of one of the most productive brick manufacturing areas in New Hampshire, and the District No. 1 schoolhouse, also known as Head School, is a relatively early reflection of that manufacturing tradition.

Although other one-room schoolhouses exist, this one is rare because the wooden shed/ privy survived. It contains two “two-hole outhouse” areas and room for storage. Its existence greatly enhances the educational value and historic interpretation of the site.

Kathie Northrup, chairman of the Hooksett Heritage Commission, completed the research and prepared the inventory form/application.

“We are so pleased with this public recognition of Head School and Cemetery and the statewide attention it brings to Hooksett,” Northrup said. “The cemetery is quite special. Take a walk around someday. The beautiful craftsmanship of some of the ornate headstones, the simplicity of others, and the stories they tell, offer an interesting glimpse into early Hooksett.” Of the schoolhouse, she said, “Aren’t we lucky that future generations of children will have the schoolhouse to help them understand what school life was like for students in the 1800s. And the outhouse – children visiting are really fascinated with that.”

This is only the second property in Hooksett to attain State Register listing. The first was Robie’s Country Store.

Hooksett Banner : Head Cemetery

Properties added to State Register

Head School and cemetery on Historic Register