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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.

Auto affair – A love of old cars brings fans together

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:21:00 GMT

Don Drew of Allenstown bought his 1940 white Chevy with S-10 pickup twice.

He originally purchased it in 1994, then sold it to buy a 1967 Chevelle. Through the next year, he pined away for his much loved ’40 Chevy. The love affair brought him crawling back to man he sold it to with the Chevelle in tow.

In an arrangement seemingly written in the stars, he made an even trade: the new seductress for the old flame.

Drew said he had immediately regretted letting go of his first love. He had been interested in hot rods since he was a kid, but this one really had a hold on him.

At the Kiwanis Club of Hooksett’s first Antique and Classic Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 19, Drew and his beloved Chevy competed against other owners and their own “significant others” in the Street Rod category.

Kiwanis Club member Dale Hemeon of Hooksett organized the event, having a motorized lover of his own – a candy apple red ’67 Camaro – entered in the Camaro/Firebird ’67 to ’02 category.

Hemeon said his dream car was the ’69 Camaro, but that the ’67 had entered his life two years ago at the right time and price.

“It’s a car of my generation,” he said.

The show was a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club’s charitable donations to many causes in the community. Since its formation in 2000, the Hooksett Kiwanis Club has contributed to numerous local charities and community projects including summer programs for children in the community and sponsorship of the Miss Hooksett Scholarship Pageant.

Participants paid a $10 entry fee to show off their voluptuous hot rods, sleek cruisers, toned muscles or modern wonders. A total of 78 beauties turned out for the competition, each one the pride, joy and, many times, the savior of its owner.

Elaina Hebert of Hooksett said her husband, Bob Hebert, bought their ’57 Chevy wagon after his father’s death in 1991. He brought it home in pieces, she said.

Over the next few years, he read about and watched mechanics at local garages working on cars, and eventually he even taught himself to weld. He completely rebuilt the car, even installed the seats and did all of the bodywork and painting.

“I knew he needed something,” said Elaina Hebert, who believes the love and attention her husband devoted to the car was a good thing for his spirit following his father’s death.

Several of the cars at the show were one of only a handful of their kind. Steve Andrewchuck of Pembroke entered a 2005 Dodge Ram SRT 10 “Yellow Fever Special,” the 50th of just 500 such trucks to come off the assembly
line.

The 2005 SRT 10 was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2004 for being the fastest production pickup truck in the world, with a top speed of 150 mph and the capability to go from zero to 60 in 5.3 seconds.

Not surprising, seeing that the truck is equipped with a 500 horsepower Viper motor and a six-speed transmission.

Andrewchuck fell in love with the SRT 10 when he passed by a Dodge dealership on the way to work on day. He said he loves Dodge trucks, but that his dream car is a Viper. “This is the closest I’m going to get,” he said.

Awards were given to the top car in each competitive class. Blue Ribbon Fences of Hooksett paid for the trophies and the dash plaques that all of the show’s participants received.

All of the merchandise raffled off at the show, including a flat screen television, was donated by Wal-Mart of Hooksett.

Hemeon said he wants to make the car show a traditional fundraiser for the Hooksett Kiwanis Club, and that next year he wants to also include motorcycles in the show.

To the future – Time capsule marks 100 years since Robie’s Store was built

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:40:00 GMT

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI

While Robie’s Country Store is 165 years old, having been founded in 1842, the current building is 100 years old this month. It was rebuilt in 1907 after fire destroyed most of the original building.

To mark the occasion, members of the Robie’s Country Store Historic Preservation Corporation put together a time capsule containing memorabilia from today, meant to be opened by the future residents of Hooksett in 50 years.

While most time capsules are buried, Hooksett historian Kathie Northrup explained that this one will simply sit on a high shelf in the back of the store, complete with a plaque.

“That way, no one will forget that it’s there,” she said.

According to the store’s Web site, “Robie’s was the oldest business in continuous operation in Hooksett, operating since settlement times. The original building had a dock facility and received merchandise by river barge until the advent of the railroad in 1842. The business burned in 1857, was rebuilt, burned again in 1906, and was again rebuilt. George Robie bought the store in 1887, and over the next 110 years it was passed down from father to son.”

A few dozen people came out to mark the occasion, as well as to remember Ronald Corsetti, a member of the store’s board of directors, who died last November.

Rain forced cancellation of village tours sponsored by the Hooksett Historical Society, which will be rescheduled.

Robert Schroeder, president of the Preservation Corporation sealed the box with four lug nuts after taking a $1 bill from David Paquette.

“Who knows if that will still be around in 50 years?” said Paquette with a laugh.