WHO WE ARE
Partnering to promote interest in and understanding of the history and development of Sanbornton.
OUR PURPOSE
01.
— We Promote Interest
To promote interest in and understanding of the history and development of the Town of Sanbornton.
02.
— We Collect
To Collect and preserve historical material including antiques, histories, newspapers, manuscripts, diaries, letters, account books, maps, documents, photographs, and whatever may relate to the life, conditions, and activities of the Town of Sanbornton and the State of New Hampshire.
03.
— We Preserve
To organize and preserve such historical material, and to make it available for study, particularly by the inhabitants of the Town of Sanbornton.
04.
— We Document
To locate, preserve, and mark historical sites and places of public interest in the Town of Sanbornton.
05.
— We Educate
To disseminate information on the history and development of New Hampshire and particularly the Town of Sanbornton, by holding public meetings for such purposes, and by publication of historical articles.
IMPACT STORIES
An Unknown Connection to Sanbornton History
Growing up in New England, I always had the feeling that it was one big “small town” – whether you lived in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire you were still a “New Englander”. After 34 years in the Navy, we moved to Sanbornton because we loved the charm and the old-time New England feel.
I KNEW MY MOTHER’S FAMILY COULD BE TRACED BACK TO CAPE COD IN THE 1600’S, AND OVER THE YEARS I’VE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A FAIRLY EXTENSIVE FAMILY TREE, WITH THE HELP OF SERVICES LIKE ANCESTRY.COM™.
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER MOVING TO SANBORNTON, I RAN ACROSS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT ONE OF THE TOWN’S ORIGINAL GRANTEES, JOHN SANBORN. IT MENTIONED HIS WIFE, ANN BACHILER — AND SOMETHING CLICKED. I KNEW THAT NAME FROM MY GENEALOGY RESEARCH — SHE WAS MY 11TH GREAT AUNT! SUDDENLY I FOUND MYSELF POURING THROUGH SANBORNTON HISTORY AND COMING TO THE REALIZATION THAT I HAD DISTANT RELATIVES LIVING RIGHT NEXT DOOR – AND MORE THROUGHOUT THE TOWN!
THROUGH THE SANBORNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, I’VE BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE TOWN’S HISTORY AND MAKE A VERY PERSONAL CONNECTION TO IT. THE WORK THAT SHS DOES TO KEEP ALIVE THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF THE TOWN IS CRITICAL TO PRESERVING THE MEMORIES OF DAYS GONE BY.
-JIM DICK, SANBORNTON RESIDENT AND SHS MEMBER
A New Resident’s Sanbornton Roots Run Deep
Although a recent resident of the Sanbornton community, my family roots run deep, touching the Smith, Sanborn, and Woodman families. Spending many years researching my family tree, I’m not surprised to find roots here, but somewhat surprised I ended up here.
I SOLD MY HOME A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, THE DAY IT WENT ON THE MARKET. I HAD TO FIND A NEW HOME QUICKLY, IN 30 DAYS, TO BE EXACT. AFTER LOOKING AT MANY HOMES, THE ONE THAT SPOKE TO ME IS RIGHT HERE IN SANBORNTON.NOW I’M AMONG FAMILY.
IT’S ODD TO LOOK AT THE LIBRARY AND KNOW IT USED TO BE WOODMAN ACADEMY, BEARING MY MAIDEN SURNAME. I PASS BY WOODMAN ROAD AND VISIT THE GRAVES OF REVEREND JOSEPH WOODMAN AND FAMILY IN CENTER CEMETERY.
LOOKING THROUGH OLD PICTURES, I REMEMBER ANOTHER BRANCH ON MY TREE. THE SMITH FAMILY BECAME HOME TO MY GREAT AUNT MARION (WOODMAN) SMITH. MY GRANDFATHER TAKES HIS MIDDLE NAME, SMITH, FROM THAT LINE. IT’S WONDERFUL TO KNOW THERE IS SUCH A FAMILY CONNECTION HERE IN MY NEW HOMETOWN.
I COULD GO ON AN ON ABOUT THE ROOTS OF MY FAMILY THAT SPRUNG FORTH FROM SANBORNTON IN ITS INFANCY AND CONTINUED TO BRANCH OUT, NOT ONLY TOUCHING THE COMMUNITY, BUT HELPING TO SHAPE IT. I’M BUT A TINY BRANCH OF A GREAT TREE THAT CONTINUES TO GROW.
MY ANCESTORS LEFT THEIR MARK ON THIS QUAINT COMMUNITY. MY PRESENCE IS SLIGHT IN OUR TOWN, BUT I’M HAPPY TO OFFER THE TALENTS I HAVE TO ITS EXISTENCE. I ENJOY BEING A PART OF THE SANBORNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WHERE I CAN EXPLORE THOSE ROOTS FURTHER, WHILE HELPING THE COMMUNITY.
-TRACY (WOODMAN) GREGORY, SHS MEMBER
Membership
Support SHS by becoming a member! Individual, Family, or Lifetime.
Programs
Take place the second Thursday of the month, April - October.
Tavern Rental
Looking to host your next party or event in a beautiful antique tavern?
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