Historical events and the state of New Hampshire seem to go hand in hand. This state was one of the original thirteen colonies. So much history has been created in NH, including the state being one of the first to establish a state constitution. A few of the more prominent events in New Hampshire include the American Revolution, the patent of the washing machine by Nathaniel Briggs, and the first intercollegiate sporting event.
All of these things, and many others, have been preserved within numerous historic buildings, properties, and unique architecture. Currently, the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR) is responsible for adding historical buildings to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. They are also in charge of preserving the buildings and spaces, so future generations can enjoy them.
Types of Historic Resources Considered
Multiple types of buildings, properties, and even objects will be considered for historic designation through the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. A few examples of what they will consider include:
- Houses
- Stores
- Barns
- Mill Complexes
- Railroad Corridors
- Native American Indian Camp Locations
- Cemeteries
- Parks
- Bridges
- Fire Towers
- Stone Walls
- Fountains
Any of the above should be at least fifty years old before being sent in for historical designation consideration. Buildings and properties less than fifty years old may still be approved in certain scenarios.
How to Get a Historical Resource Nominated for Historic Designation
Getting a historical building or property nominated is as simple as filling out an Individual Inventory Form for the Division of Historical Resources. The form is fairly straightforward and easy to fill out. As long as the form is complete, the NHDHR will evaluate it to see if the property or building meets the criteria for designation. If all of the criteria are met, a recommendation is made to have it added as a listing.
The State Historical Resources Council is the group who will make that final decision though. This council is composed of professionals in multiple fields like archeology, architecture, and history. The group meets every quarter and during those meetings, they will either approve or deny any current nominations.
The Most Recent Historic Building and Property Designations
This year, there have been a few new historic buildings and property designations.
They include:
- Vilas Pool Park in Alstead
- Waldron Store in Brentwood
- Keeneborough Grange Hall in Brentwood
- Calley Homestead in Plymouth
- Webster Memorial Library in Wentworth
Keeping history alive in New Hampshire is important. If you have been struggling to get a historic building or property designated, or simply need assistance with the process, contact my office today.