The Center Harbor Historical Society will be opening a new set of doors in a second location this Summer. All historical artifacts had to be moved from the old schoolhouse to a new location—a storefront in Senters Market—where total restoration of the flooring and underlying beams was completed. A separate company cleaned the historical artifacts of dust, dirt, and mold before moving them to the new location next to Interlakes Family Dental Center.
Both the Old Schoolhouse and Senters Market will be used this year in different capacities:
- Old Schoolhouse — will continue to host lectures and programs as before.
- Senters Market — will be open on weekends primarily during the tourist season.
The Historical Society hopes that these efforts demonstrate a commitment to preserving local history and will encourage members and townspeople to join, volunteer, and take leadership roles in achieving the goals of collecting, identifying, and preserving historical artifacts.
History
The Centre Harbor Historical Society was founded in 1971 under the guidance of Gladys Bickford (1911–1997). It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting and preserving objects and facts of historical interest to the Town of Center Harbor, NH. The Society also participates in projects designed to preserve or enhance the Town’s historical image.
The Society is housed in the 1886 Center Harbor Village Schoolhouse, listed on the New Hampshire Register of Historic Places. The schoolhouse is owned by the Town and leased to the Society for $10 per year.
Center Harbor Village Schoolhouse Fun Facts:
- Children first attended classes in 1886.
- A second classroom, the “little room,” was added in 1902 for grades 1–3. Grades 4–8 were held in the 1886 classroom. Eventually, grades 7 and 8 moved to the Humiston School in nearby Meredith, NH.
- The school closed in 1970 and now serves as the Schoolhouse Museum, containing the Society’s collection of documents and artifacts.
Schoolhouse Condition and Assessment report 2018
Museum Hours: Open Saturdays in July and August from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: 94 Dane Road (Route 25B), a short walk from the Town docks, past the Kona Fountain and James E. Nichols Memorial Library.
Other Unique items cared for by the Historical Society:
- A 38 Star American Flag from 1877
- A tea pot from the early 1800’s
- An article on Toltec Summer Camp for Boys
Programs
The Centre Harbor Historical Society hosts educational programs of historical and cultural interest. These programs are open to the public and free of charge, though donations are greatly appreciated.
Members
- Mark Stearns — President
- Christine Marcoux — Member
Contact Information
- Meeting Information: The Historical Society meet as needed, typically in the Center Harbor Schoolhouse located at 94 Dane Road.
- Email: teamstearns@gmail.com
- Phone: 603-253-4561
- Mailing Address: Town of Center Harbor, Historical Society, PO Box 140, 36 Main Street, Center Harbor, NH 03226
Quick Links
- Holderness Historical Society
- Meredith Historical Society
- Moultonborough Historical Society
- Sandwich Historical Society
- Tamworth History Center