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Weare Historical Society History
Weare Historical Society’s
founding members signed articles of agreement
and formulated a constitution in 1971. The purpose
of the society, stated in Article II, is “to
collect and preserve records and artifacts relating
to the town of Weare, New Hampshire; to provide
assistance in protecting historical sites in town;
and to encourage the study and appreciation of
local history.” Edwin Flanders became the
first president; Albert S. Farmer, vice president;
Barbara Osborne, secretary; and Ruth Lahey, treasurer.
Besides these officers, the board of directors
consisted of Gordon Ferguson, Robert McLeod, and
William Herman (student member).
 Since
1971, Weare Historical Society has worked to preserve
Weare’s human story. Although many things
change—the disappearance of barns, houses
rising out of old pastures, and the stones of
another dirt road topped with tar—the work
of those who helped to build our town during the
18th , 19th and 20th centuries can still be found
among historic villages, beautiful old buildings,
and preserved artifacts. Weare Historical Society’s
mission is to let none of this be forgotten.
Throughout  the
year, the Society presents programs as diverse
as the history of town meeting, blacksmithing,
and land preservation. Historians such as longtime
president Betty Straw take history into the schools’
classrooms, making the past real for Weare’s
children. Weare Town Hall, the horse sheds behind
it, the tramp house, Clinton Grove Academy, and
Osborne Memorial Hall have benefited from the
Society’s commitment through the SAVE THE
BUILDINGS fund.
With the help of the
Sawyer Trust, Weare Historical Society built the
gazebo in Weare Center, which it donated to the
town, and also restored the Stone Building rotunda.
The Society is responsible for the placement of
Clinton Grove Academy on NH’s register of
historic sites and the State sign on Rte. 77 in
North Weare honoring the 22 mills along the Piscataquog,
most of which were destroyed by the 1938 hurricane
and flood. In the year 2000, Weare Historical
Society originated the Keep Weare Beautiful program
in which town roads are kept litter-free.
 Since
a petitioned warrant article in 1981, when the
town voted to assign to the Society the Stone
Memorial Building in Weare Center as a museum,
an important collection of Weare artifacts and
memorabilia, including furniture, kitchen and
farm implements, toys made in Weare, diaries,
and photographs of local landmarks and residents
have been accumulated at this historic site. The
Society continues to welcome contributions of
items that pertain directly to Weare. The Society
can be contacted by mail at the address below.
The Society also provides
publications and reprints that speak to Weare’s
history. These include old maps and posters, guidebooks,
pamphlets, pictorial calendars, and both of Weare’s
history books: William Little,1888, and Helen
Dearborn, 1959.
Open House is held at the museum and events scheduled
during the months of May through October, and
in December, as well as on special town occasions,
such as the patriotic celebration in July. 
The Society welcomes
new members. The membership year is October 1
to September 30. Dues are $7.50 for individuals;
$5 for seniors (65+) and students; $15 for families;
and $25 for businesses and organizations. Lifetime
memberships are also available ($250). (Please
mail to Weare Historical Society, PO Box 33, Weare,
NH 03281.) Members are welcome to attend board
meetings held the first Wednesday of each month
in the Sawyer Room at Weare Public Library at
7 p.m. The annual meeting and potluck supper is
held each October, at which time a new slate of
offices and directors is presented to the membership
for approval.
Membership Application
Here
View Photo Gallery Here
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