FAQ – Heritage Barn Easement
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FAQ – Upper Lamprey Scenic Byway
The Deerfield Heritage Commission has a seat on the Upper Lamprey Scenic Byway Committee and participates in the joint planning efforts with representatives from Northwood, Candia and the Southern NH Planning Commission.
The New Hampshire Scenic and Cultural Byways Program was established in 1992 under RSA 238:19, “… to provide the opportunity for residents and visitors to travel a system of byways which feature the scenic and cultural qualities of the state within the existing highway system, promote retention of rural and urban scenic byways, support the cultural, recreational and historic attributes along these byways, and expose the unique elements of the state’s beauty, culture and history.”
1962 Map of Deerfield
1756 Map of New Hampshire
Detail from 1756 map of New Hampshire. What would become Deerfield lies within Nottingham East.
1732 Plot Map Nottingham/Deerfield
Title: Map of Nottingham, N.H., 1732.
Creator: Brown, John. Hosmer, Stephen.
Available in the map collection of the New Hampshire Historical Society
Deerfield Historical Society
The Deerfield Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization separate from the Town-sponsored Heritage Commission. It was organized in 1973 primarily through the efforts of Nettie Farr and Irene Shores, who were also its first two presidents. The Society met regularly in the Meeting Room of the Soldiers Memorial building, with a mission to preserve for future generations the history and heritage of the Town of Deerfield and those who have lived here.
At first, the artifacts and materials they acquired were displayed in a basement room of Soldiers Memorial. But as the town changed and grew, so did the needs of its library, which expanded to fill all the rooms in the building. A new school was built (the Deerfield Community School) leaving vacant the George B. White building. The town offices moved out of the Town Hall to take up that vacancy, renting the extra space to local businesses. Where better for the Historical Society to relocate than into the historic Town Hall, taking the rooms which had formerly been the offices of the Town Clerk and the Board of Selectmen. This is where they can be found now.
In the nearly forty years since its founding, the Deerfield Historical Society has acquired a marvelously rich collection: photographs and post cards; ledgers and account books from the stores, home businesses and medical practices in town; newspapers and newsletters; diaries and letters written to and by residents; books written about the town or authored by its citizens; artwork and artifacts created by Deerfield people.
Among the larger artifacts, some are too large to be displayed in the Society’s museum and are in the first floor meeting room of the Town Hall, or on loan to the Town Offices at the G.B. White Building for display. These include the Bicentennial Quilt sewn for the 1966 celebration, a collection of Civil War rifles and bayonets from the Grand Army of the Republic, the original pewter communion set of the Baptist Church donated by Nettie Farr, and a restored 1857 map of Rockingham County showing all the residences.
In the Museum are displayed the original cow weathervane from the barn of the historic Marston Farm donated by Mary Pendleton, one of the pews of the old Free Will Baptist Church (which became a grange hall and is now the Business Center on Church Street), the cradle in which was rocked famed Civil War General Benjamin Butler who was born in Deerfield, and a General Stark chair, made in 1770, and donated by Elsie Brown.
The Deerfield Historical Society meets at the Town Hall at 7:00 on the fourth Thursday in March, April, May, June and October, and on the third Thursday in November and December. These meetings are open to the public. Refreshments are served and a program of historical interest offered, except in December when the Society has its annual Christmas Party.
The museum is open 10:00 am to noon on the first Wednesday of the month, May thru October, or by appointment. To make an appointment, call Edie Kimball at 463-7485 or Priscilla Watts at 463-7113, or email Priscilla Watts. The mailing address for the Society is P.O. Box 41, Deerfield, NH 03037.
Deerfield Bicentennial Book
As a part of the great bicentennial celebration of 1966, the town put together a spiral-bound souvenir book with 78 pages of articles written by people in the town. Topics covered much of Deerfield’s present and rich past, and included photographs which capture moments of history. Copies of this book may be found in the collection of the Historical Society and the Philbrick-James Library.
Here are the introductory essay by Mildred Nowlan, a Tribute by Nancy Stevens, and a poem by Beatrice Robie. Scroll down to find links to other articles from the book. [Reprinted on the web by permission of the Deerfield Select Board, Fall 2005]
A Word of Welcome by Mildred Nowlan,
The people of the town of Deerfield would extend a word of welcome to all who have attended the Bi-Centennial celebration of the founding of the town. It may be that you are presently a resident of Deerfield, or perhaps you have lived here at one time. Perhaps you have never lived here, but your parents, or other ancestors were born and lived here. No matter in which group you find yourself, you will have some idea of what Deerfield has to offer in the way of gracious and wholesome living.
Deerfield has much of natural beauty, with opportunities for recreation, fellowship, and service, to any who will participate. Its natural beauty is evident in its hills and valleys, its brooks, ponds, and lakes. It is beautiful at any time of the year.
In the spring, the fresh green of the new year clothes the fields and hills. Summer brings a fuller, more mature green, with flourishing gardens and beautiful flowers; while the flaming reds, yellows and oranges of Autumn show a blaze of color at every turn of the road. Even in Winter there is beauty in the dark boughs and twigs that show against the pure white snow.
There are many ways to enjoy hours of recreation; walks in the woodlands; climbing some of the hills; horse-back riding for some, and swimming at the good beach at Veasey Park. In Winter, one can go skiing, sliding or skating.
Deerfield is a friendly town and there are many opportunities to enjoy fellowship with friends and neighbors. On occasions of joy, such as weddings, parties and other social events, there are always friends and neighbors to share the good times. If perchance misfortune or sorrow comes, these same friends will be ready with loving help and sympathy to make the burden lighter.
There are a number of Organizations, made up of folks of similar aims, tastes and interests, which offer hospitality and friendship, and so make one feel at home. There are groups which gather to pursue hobbies for those who like to paint, sew, or take part in some kind of activity that is of interest to them.
There is also the church which offers a spiritual home with opportunity for worship, a fine Sunday School, and an active group of Young People. There is the challenge of service in all these different avenues of fellowship.
The English poet John Donne, wrote “No man is an island.” Deerfield is not an island, as we know that the kind of life that is lived here has its influences on our State and our nation.
We welcome you to join with us in our celebration of 200 years of good living in Deerfield, with a desire to have it continue on for many years. – Mildred Nowlan
A TRIBUTE
The residents of Deerfield in the past two hundred years, must have been God-fearing, home loving, hard working citizens to have been responsible for our churches, town hall, schools, large colonial homes, tilling of the land, raising of large families, and forming of organizations for the betterment of our town, and the choosing of responsible and intellectual people for town offices. They must have been people of vision, true to God, faithful to a purpose and interested in the future of Deerfield.These residents had their loves and aspirations, their joys and sorrows, their triumphs and failures, their hard work and joyous play, in sickness and in health. Their earliest, fondest desires were to have churches, schools and an honorable form of government.How fortunate for us to have enlightened people, endowed with vision, at its helm. May our generation and succeeding generations be God-fearing, law-abiding, and loyal, with gratitude in their hearts for the precious gifts of our ancestors, such as, their heroic lessons in daring, their persistent endurance, unfailing fortitude, and abounding love and faith.May we, at this time of celebrating the bicentennial of the town of Deerfield, in 1966, be as dedicated and as deserving of the priceless heritage bestowed upon us and may God bless our town in the years ahead.Nancy Tilton Stevens Member of Historical Committee
TO DEERFIELD
To the people of Deerfield, on this, your anniversary as a town Through two hundred years of working, building, and as you look around Seeing the fruits of your labors, planting and turning the sod With faith and courage, and love of God. Your town and others fought with strong backs, and willing hands Paying in lives, fighting the Indian bands And for Independence, so as to breathe free To make this land safe for you and me. Through blood, sweat and sorrow Building, always building for a brighter tomorrow Carrying on with fortitude, and vision, a glorious heritage As your forefathers did in that long ago age. When you go to the hills, thank God, for all around you see For this is America, the cradle of liberty The little brooks tumbling o’er rocks and rills And viewed from those templed hills. On the horizon, the shining seas The natural elements, the beauty of yon lakes and trees The meeting house, the church, the steeple Outlined against the sky, bells that rang out calling the people. To hear the minister preach God’s word, Each in his own time, through the years can be heard Some in the churchyard are sleeping While the hills, their watch are keeping. The old fort, the stage coach, the inn, landmarks new and old A small part ’tis true, but together we make America bold. – Beatrice J. Robie
Browse other articles from the Bicentennial Book:
The Early Years of the Congregational Church
“My Years in Deerfield” by Rev. Ivan S. Nowlan
Deerfield Parade
South Deerfield
Coffeetown and Rand’s Corner
Old Center Cemetery
Country Doctors
Benjamin Butler
Col. Joseph Hilton
A 50 Year History of the Post Office
2002 Barn Survey
2002 Barn Survey
New England farm towns have always boosted a wealth of beautiful barns. Over the years, that wealth has been spent. As farms declined, so did the barns, falling into disrepair and disuse, and finally falling down. Fortunately, there are many who appreciate the architecture and esthetics of New England barns, and have invested in maintaining and renovating them.
In 2000, the Heritage Commission sought to make an inventory of the barns still standing and serving in Deerfield, and over the next few years put together a two volume binder with the results of that survey.
When the task was completed in October of 2002, the members of the Barn Survey Sub-committee submitted this statement: “This is our best effort at a “slippery” task…twenty years earlier we would have had much more history. Deerfield properties have gone to new owners, many of whom are not interested and never pursued the history of their barn. We hope this is better than nothing, albeit short of perfection! [signed] Jim Deely, ‘reader’ of old barns, Fran Menard, representative of the Selectboard, Rebecca Hutchinson, photographer, Kay Williams, scheduler and chronicler.”
It must be agreed that what they accomplished was not only “better than nothing”, but a wonderful and vital resource document. The Barn Survey is available for researchers at the Philbrick-James Library (on-site use only, however a copier is available if needed). Sample Survey form
In 2003 and 2004 the Heritage Commission published Barn Calendars with photos of barns from the Survey.All2003 Heritage Commission Barn Calendar
All2004 Heritage Commission Barn Calendar
1984 Cultural Resources Survey of Deerfield
Prepared by the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, November, 1984
Consists of two loose leaf notebooks, each page inventorying a historic building or property in the town. It is accompanied by an Inventory Site Map, 52″ x 44″, which helps match addresses to entries in the books.
Cultural Resources Survey (text survey forms not included)
Sample Survey Form
Copies of this book are in the collections of the Historical Society and the Philbrick-James Library (on-site use only, however a copier is available if needed).
2007 Town Hall Calendar
In 2006, the Commission was working on fire suppression and accessibility for the Town Hall, and put together a calendar as a fundraiser, commemorating the 150 year history of the building. The 2007 calendar featured images past and present of the Town Hall, and facts about its history. Sienna Larson did the design and photography, and Dick and Deb Boisvert did layout and production. Other members of the Heritage Commission during these years were Kathryn (Kay) Williams, James Deely, Caroline (Honey) Hoague, Joe Sears, Fran Menard, Irene Shores, Elsie Brown, and Gile Beye
Because of the historical and architectural details included with the striking images, the Town Hall calendar would make a good addition to the collection of anyone interested in the Town’s history.
