New Hampshire Old Home CelebrationsIn 1899, when many New Hampshire residents were moving to cities and other parts of the nation, Frank Rollins, soon to become governor of New Hampshire, delivered a proposal to hold an annual event he dubbed Old Home Week. Similar in form to many of the family and town picnics already a tradition throughout New Hampshire, Old Home Week was designed as an open invitation to all the former residents of the Granite State to return to the homes of their youth. In addition to the ballgames, picnics, parades, and bonfires that were held during the third week of August, the celebrations resulted in municipal improvements across the state. Old homesteads were refurbished as summer homes, and libraries and monuments sprung up throughout the region as residents returned, creating a movement toward a renewed pride in the community. |
Contents
Two SEACOAST REGION | |
Three WHITE MOUNTAINS AND GREAT NORTH WOODS | |
Four DARTMOUTHLAKE SUNAPEE REGION | |
Five LAKES REGION | |
Six MERRIMACK VALLEY | |
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Common terms and phrases
150th anniversary Allen August Author’s collection Bedford Historical Society Brookline Historical Society Brookline Old Home Campton celebrated old home Charlestown Historical Society Chesterfield Church of Pelham communities Congregational Church Courtesy of Bedford Courtesy of Brookline Courtesy of Charlestown Courtesy of Dick Courtesy of Dover Courtesy of Hollis Courtesy of Hudson Courtesy of Mason Courtesy of Pittsfield Courtesy of Warren Courtesy of Washington DARTMOUTH-LAKE SUNAPEE REGION Dick Putnam Dover Old Home Dover Public Library Frank Rollins Goshen Grange Granite State Collection Hampshire Old Home Hampshire’s Henniker holiday Hollis Historical Society home day celebration Home Day parade honor Hooksett Hopkinton Hudson Historical Society Marlow Mason Historical Society Mont Vernon Mont Vernon Historical natives old home celebrations Old Home Day old home festivities Old Home Week packhorse librarians Pennhurst photograph picnic picture Pittsburg Pittsfield Historical Society Purple Gang residents Sam Allen Stratham Swanzey town’s Warren Historical Society Warren Old Home Washington Historical Society Wilton