Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic many of the programs and exhibits
have been placed on hold. Please be sure to contact the individual organization
before attempting to attend an event.
have been placed on hold. Please be sure to contact the individual organization
before attempting to attend an event.
All...Aboard!
Schedule of Events
Click here for exhibit information
The Train Comes to Lake Sunapee
A video production depicting what it took to complete the Concord to Claremont line and the train's effect on the local economy. Click on the button below to watch!
A video production depicting what it took to complete the Concord to Claremont line and the train's effect on the local economy. Click on the button below to watch!
Andover's Online "Virtual" Old Time Fair Auction
Sunday, August 2 – Saturday August 8
Online bidding opens August 2 at 8 AM and closes August 8 at 8 PM
Summer almost doesn't feel like summer in Andover without our traditional Old Time Fair festivities! But this year, the Andover Historical Society is pleased to present an online "virtual" Old Time Fair auction, featuring an eclectic collection of 60+ vintage and antique items, including furniture, china glass, artwork, railroad-related items, and other collectibles. Click on the button below to access the auction.
Sunday, August 2 – Saturday August 8
Online bidding opens August 2 at 8 AM and closes August 8 at 8 PM
Summer almost doesn't feel like summer in Andover without our traditional Old Time Fair festivities! But this year, the Andover Historical Society is pleased to present an online "virtual" Old Time Fair auction, featuring an eclectic collection of 60+ vintage and antique items, including furniture, china glass, artwork, railroad-related items, and other collectibles. Click on the button below to access the auction.
Lindsey Schust and the Ragged Mountain Band
August 2, 2020
6:00 p.m. - ONLINE
In place of the Andover-based summer events (July 4 Celebration, Old Time Fair) canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Andover Historical Society will present a free concert by Lindsey Schust and the Ragged Mt. Band plus special guests. This performance will feature train songs including premieres of two new pieces written by Lindsey and Grace Schust.
To begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, the concert will be delivered "live" via the internet to local homes via an easy-to-use technology called Zoom. There it can be viewed on home computers and hand-held devices. Up to 100 households can reserve a "seat" in advance by sending an email request to Treasurer@AndoverHistory.org or by clicking here.
Formed in 2011, when they debuted Lindsey's local hit “Hippie Hill”, the band performs extensively in the NH Lakes Region area. They play a mixture of traditional Americana, country western, bluegrass and original country songs written by Lindsey. Their repertoire includes many songs about trains, such as: City of New Orleans, Wabash Canonball, and King of the Road. Lindsey Schust– songwriter, bandleader, keyboards and vocals; Grace Schust– drums, percussion and vocals Jim Schust– Guitar Robert Grasmere- harmonica; Paul Currier– Dobro, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and vocals; Jim Connell– Bass, guitar and vocals; Jesse Schust– percussion.
August 2, 2020
6:00 p.m. - ONLINE
In place of the Andover-based summer events (July 4 Celebration, Old Time Fair) canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Andover Historical Society will present a free concert by Lindsey Schust and the Ragged Mt. Band plus special guests. This performance will feature train songs including premieres of two new pieces written by Lindsey and Grace Schust.
To begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, the concert will be delivered "live" via the internet to local homes via an easy-to-use technology called Zoom. There it can be viewed on home computers and hand-held devices. Up to 100 households can reserve a "seat" in advance by sending an email request to Treasurer@AndoverHistory.org or by clicking here.
Formed in 2011, when they debuted Lindsey's local hit “Hippie Hill”, the band performs extensively in the NH Lakes Region area. They play a mixture of traditional Americana, country western, bluegrass and original country songs written by Lindsey. Their repertoire includes many songs about trains, such as: City of New Orleans, Wabash Canonball, and King of the Road. Lindsey Schust– songwriter, bandleader, keyboards and vocals; Grace Schust– drums, percussion and vocals Jim Schust– Guitar Robert Grasmere- harmonica; Paul Currier– Dobro, fiddle, mandolin, banjo and vocals; Jim Connell– Bass, guitar and vocals; Jesse Schust– percussion.
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Canal Fever in New Hampshire and Vermont
August 20, 2020 7:00 p.m. Hopkinton Historical Society 300 Main St., Hopkinton NH Transportation historian Frank “Jay” Barrett, Jr. will speak about the intense but short-lived fascination with canal building in the first decades of the 1800s, when travel by road was slow and arduous and railroads had yet to be developed. In 1814, Philip Brown of Hopkinton (see image) won $25,000 in the Union Canal Lottery, which was to link New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. 
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Railroad Songs Concert and Sing-a-Long
August 30, 2020 1:00 p.m. Lower Warner Meeting House 225 East Main Street, Warner NH Presented by the Warner Historical Society and The Fells. |
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Working the Railroad: The Relationship Between Mankind and Machine
September TBD
New Hampshire Mountain Inn
318 New Canada Rd., Wilmot NH
Rick Kfoury will present the history of the New England Railroad focusing on its impact on the communities, economy, ecology, and cultural diversity. The program will be held at the beautiful New Hampshire Mountain Inn in Wilmot, NH, which housed the railroad work crews during the construction of railroad tracks in this area.
September TBD
New Hampshire Mountain Inn
318 New Canada Rd., Wilmot NH
Rick Kfoury will present the history of the New England Railroad focusing on its impact on the communities, economy, ecology, and cultural diversity. The program will be held at the beautiful New Hampshire Mountain Inn in Wilmot, NH, which housed the railroad work crews during the construction of railroad tracks in this area.
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Davisville Mills Tour
September 12, 2020 1:00 p.m. Davisville Hopkinton & Warner Historical Societies The mills at Davisville were not conveniently located next to a rail depot. The tour of the mills' remains will include discussion of how they moved their goods to the train and how they ultimately moved to West Hopkinton to be closer to a rail line. Parking at the Davisville Flea Market, 805 New Hampshire Route 103 East. |
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Features of Barns
September 24, 2020 8:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Barns evolved to handle the increased productivity required to meet the needs of a growing population and respond to changes in society caused by the railroad. John Porter will point out specific features of barns that evolved to meet these demands. |
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Closing Program with Dr. Stuart Wallace
November 12, 2020 7:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH The 2020 exhibition wraps up with a presentation by Dr. Stuart Wallace. |
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Stop! Look! Listen!
VINTAGE RAILROAD MELODRAMAS WITH PIANIST JEFF RAPSISSunday, October 24, 2021 2:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall *Please note there is a mask and distance requirement for people entering Warner Town Hall. 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Jeff Rapsis is a writer/editor, educator, composer and performer who specializes in creating live musical scores for silent film screenings. His talent and enthusiasm have made him a crowd-favorite! We've had the pleasure of working with Jeff in past years and we are delighted to be collaborating with him again! Join us for live music which will accompany this double-feature program of classic silent-era train thrillers on the big screen. 'The West-Bound Limited' (1923) and 'Transcontinental Limited' (1926) are a pair of rarely seen silent-era railroad melodramas that promise an express ride to excitement! In 'The West-Bound Limited,' a fired employee takes revenge on the railroad by setting a trap for a head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train. In 'Transcontinental Limited,' Jerry Reynolds is an aging train engineer fast approaching retirement, but his eyes are giving out even faster! Will he still collect his pension? Both movies were shot on location on actual working railroad lines. Made at a time when massive steam engines ruled the rails, both films are filled with scenes that train buffs will find fascinating today. Railroad films were a popular sub-genre during the silent film era, when trains were the primary mode of long distance travel in the U.S. As an important part of the daily life of virtually every community in the land, railroads formed a popular background for many early films. In reviving these two rarely shown train melodramas, organizers aim to show silent film as it was meant to be seen—in restored prints, on a large screen, with live music, and with an audience. "All those elements are important parts of the silent film experience," said Rapsis, who will accompany the films. "Recreate those conditions, and movies of early Hollywood like these railroad dramas leap back to life in ways that audiences still find entertaining." Rapsis performs on a digital synthesizer that reproduces the texture of the full orchestra, creating a traditional "movie score" sound. He improvises a complete original score for each film in real time during the screening. "Creating a movie score on the fly is kind of a high-wire act, but it can often make for more excitement instead of everything being planned out in advance," Rapsis said. Rapsis encouraged people unfamiliar with silent film to give it a try. "If you haven't seen a silent film the way it was intended to be shown, then you're missing a unique experience," Rapsis said. "At their best, silent films still do connect with cinema-goers. They retain a tremendous power to cast a spell, engage an audience, tap into elemental emotions, and provoke strong reactions." Hosted by: The New Hampshire Telephone Museum Date/Time: Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 2:00 PM Location: Warner Town Hall - *Please note there is a mask and distance requirement for people entering Warner Town Hall. Admission: $10.00 non-members/ NHTM members - $5.00 Contact: Graham at 603-456-2234 For more information on the music, visit www.jeffrapsis.com. |
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Date To Be Determined:
A Guided Nature Walk along one of the Rail Trails (presented by The Nature Discovery Center).
The Impact of Trains on Native Tribes and Material Culture (talk by John Brannon, at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum)
Mr. Brannon will talk broadly about the impact of the Railroad on Native tribes throughout North America. His focus will be on the social history and economic impacts. From the coming of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s – which was devastating for Native tribes of the Great Plains – to opening of new markets, trains have had major impacts.
What Happened to the Railroads? (presented by Frederic Nystrom, Contoocook Riverway Association)
Presentation includes a slide and video presentation detailing the causes and effects of the decline in the railroad industry during most of the 20th century. The presentation will provide a deeper look into the cultural and economic forces, technological advancements, and events that, over a period of about 60 years, resulted in the drastic decline of rail transport in the US in favor of automotive and air transport modes. The early 1980s resurgence will be explained. Discussion period to follow.
A Guided Nature Walk along one of the Rail Trails (presented by The Nature Discovery Center).
The Impact of Trains on Native Tribes and Material Culture (talk by John Brannon, at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum)
Mr. Brannon will talk broadly about the impact of the Railroad on Native tribes throughout North America. His focus will be on the social history and economic impacts. From the coming of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s – which was devastating for Native tribes of the Great Plains – to opening of new markets, trains have had major impacts.
What Happened to the Railroads? (presented by Frederic Nystrom, Contoocook Riverway Association)
Presentation includes a slide and video presentation detailing the causes and effects of the decline in the railroad industry during most of the 20th century. The presentation will provide a deeper look into the cultural and economic forces, technological advancements, and events that, over a period of about 60 years, resulted in the drastic decline of rail transport in the US in favor of automotive and air transport modes. The early 1980s resurgence will be explained. Discussion period to follow.
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Tour of the North Boscawen/Gerrish Area
This event is co-sponsored by the Boscawen Historical Society and the Merrimack County Facility. It will include a look at the County facilities now and then, the Gerrish Station, The Poor Farm Cemetery, and the New Hampshire State Forest Nursery. The tour will be led by Elaine Clow, librarian and secretary for the Boscawen Historical Society, whose grandmother was a bookkeeper for the B&M Railroad for 41 years. |
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Past Programs
Kick-Off Event
November 7, 2019
7:00 p.m.
Warner Town Hall
5 East Main Street, Warner NH
Join us as we kick off our 2020 collaborative exhibition all about trains. This program will feature a slide show of local scenes as well as the types of exhibits and programming you can expect to see. The audience is invited to bring in any railroad-related memorabilia, including railroad items, posters, photographs, family stories, etc.
November 7, 2019
7:00 p.m.
Warner Town Hall
5 East Main Street, Warner NH
Join us as we kick off our 2020 collaborative exhibition all about trains. This program will feature a slide show of local scenes as well as the types of exhibits and programming you can expect to see. The audience is invited to bring in any railroad-related memorabilia, including railroad items, posters, photographs, family stories, etc.
Manchester Locomotive Works
February 9, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Penacook Historical Society
11 Penacook Street, Penacook NH
Daniel Peters of the Manchester Historical Association will talk about the company in Manchester that manufactured locomotives.
February 9, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Penacook Historical Society
11 Penacook Street, Penacook NH
Daniel Peters of the Manchester Historical Association will talk about the company in Manchester that manufactured locomotives.
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Snow Train Talk
February 21, 2020 7:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Warner Historical Society Admission: $10 pp (includes dessert) Rebecca Courser and Lynn Clark will present a program about the development of skiing, snow trains and winter tourism in Warner. Warner had the first snow train in the winter of 1931. The Warner Planning and Development committee was formed to coordinate winter events and entice Boston businesses to bring their employees to Warner for a winter outing. New photographs have been acquired this past year! |
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The Flood of 1896 in Boscawen and Fisherville
March 9, 2020 6:30 p.m. Boscawen Public Library 116 North Main Street, Boscawen NH This program looks at the flood that took place at the convergence of the Contoocook and Merrimack Rivers as well as other flood events and how they affected the railway. |
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Warner’s Railroad Stations
April 9, 2020 7:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street Rebecca Courser and Lynn Clark will present a program about the seven railroad stations on the Concord & Claremont rail line. Why did Warner have seven? 
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Off the Rails
April 19, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Penacook Historical Society
16 Penacook Street, Penacook NH
A tour of New Hampshire's rail lines.
April 19, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Penacook Historical Society
16 Penacook Street, Penacook NH
A tour of New Hampshire's rail lines.
On and Off the Rails in New Hampshire
April 26, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Hopkinton Historical Society
300 Main St., Hopkinton NH
Carol Foss of Penacook Historical Society will present an overview of New Hampshire’s major rail lines and their historic wrecks as part of Hopkinton Historical Society’s annual meeting.
April 26, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Hopkinton Historical Society
300 Main St., Hopkinton NH
Carol Foss of Penacook Historical Society will present an overview of New Hampshire’s major rail lines and their historic wrecks as part of Hopkinton Historical Society’s annual meeting.
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Model Train Show
May 3, 2020 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hopkinton High School 297 Park Ave., Hopkinton NH $5 pp / Kids under 10 free with adult purchase Lots of vendors. New/Used Model Trains & accessories, operating layouts including Concord's layout, raffles, food truck and free parking. Tour the restored Contoocook Depot Covered Train Bridge. |
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Trains, Commerce, and the Mill Yard in Boscawen
May 4, 2020 6:30 p.m. Boscawen Public Library 116 North Main Street, Boscawen NH This program looks at how the coming of the Northern Railroad affected Fisherville, Boscawen, and North Boscawen/Gerrish, and the development of the Merrimack County Facilities. |
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Trunkside of Tales: Life on a Circus Train
May 30, 2020 2:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Ted Lawrence will tell true-life stories about the brighter than Technicolor life of living and working as a clown with the now-extinct Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Lawrence speaks about life on the train and with the animals (especially the elephants); a way of life that is no more. |
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Stephen H. Long: An Engineer and Explorer of Rare Talent
June 4, 2020 7:00 p.m. Hopkinton Historical Society 300 Main St., Hopkinton NH Hopkinton, N.H. born Stephen Harriman Long (1784-1864) was a U.S. army explorer, topographical engineer, and railway engineer. As an inventor, he is noted for his developments in the design of steam locomotives. Dick Hesse will present a program on Long's life and extraordinary accomplishments. 
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Warner’s Agriculture & Rural Industries
June 11, 2020 7:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Rebecca Courser and Lynn Clark will present a program about the effect of the railroad on the expansion of farming opportunities and the development of mills along the Warner River. What were farmers shipping? What raw products were mills needing to manufacture their chairs, hubs, clothespins, excelsior, and crutches? What led to the downfall of these family owned and operated businesses? 
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The Rails of Hopkinton and Contoocook
June 21, 2020 2:00 p.m. Hopkinton Historical Society 300 Main St., Hopkinton NH Andrew Wilson, editor of the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society’s B&M Bulletin, will present a program on the railroad lines that went through Hopkinton and Contoocook. 
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Learning from History: Discussion of Transportation Then and Now
June 24, 2020
6:30 p.m.
Hopkinton Historical Society
300 Main St., Hopkinton NH
A discussion of transportation issues based on research of local transportation issues. Moderated by Susan Covert.
June 24, 2020
6:30 p.m.
Hopkinton Historical Society
300 Main St., Hopkinton NH
A discussion of transportation issues based on research of local transportation issues. Moderated by Susan Covert.
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I've Been Working on the Railroad: Hopkinton Town Band Railroad-Themed Concert
July 8, 2020 7:00 p.m. Jane Llewellyn Gazebo, Contoocook NH Sponsored by the Hopkinton Historical Society The Hopkinton Town Band will present a concert of railroad-themed music. |
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Hotels, Boarding Houses and Summer Visitors
July 16, 2020 7:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Rebecca Courser and Lynn Clark will present a program about how hotels, boarding houses and summer camps and cabins sprang up around Warner’s seven railroad stations. Initially tourists came for weeks at a time. What forms of recreation was available? How did business owners advertise? The snow train era meant that hotels and boarding houses could be open during the winter months expanding year round business opportunities. 
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The Newbury Cut
July 21, 2020 10:00 a.m. Bradford Historical Society's Tin Shop West Main Street, Bradford NH John Lyon will present a PowerPoint presentation about the Concord to Claremont Railroad line, which reaches Bradford in 1850 but not Newbury. The climb of 100 feet per mile is almost impossible for a train. Ten thousand cubic feet of granite rock at the Newbury Summit barred the way for 20 years until 1870. Learn about how the impossible became only difficult . |
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All Aboard
August 13, 2020 - Cancelled
6:30 Dessert and Election of Officers
7:00 Program
Henniker Congregational Church Parish Hall
43 Maple Street, Henniker NH
Dale Russell, a railroad enthusiast from Greenfield NH, will talk about early railroads in Henniker NH. This talk and slide show will include the history of the lines in and around Henniker and include railroad maps of the Henniker area. A question and answer period will follow.
August 13, 2020 - Cancelled
6:30 Dessert and Election of Officers
7:00 Program
Henniker Congregational Church Parish Hall
43 Maple Street, Henniker NH
Dale Russell, a railroad enthusiast from Greenfield NH, will talk about early railroads in Henniker NH. This talk and slide show will include the history of the lines in and around Henniker and include railroad maps of the Henniker area. A question and answer period will follow.
Running the Railroad - An Insider Explains the Basics
August 28, 2020 - Cancelled
7:00 p.m.
New Hampshire Telephone Museum
1 Depot Street, Warner NH
Suggested $5 donation
Frederic Nystrom of the Contoocook Railway Museum is a long-time railroad employee and enthusiast who will share his vast knowledge of railroading in New Hampshire.
August 28, 2020 - Cancelled
7:00 p.m.
New Hampshire Telephone Museum
1 Depot Street, Warner NH
Suggested $5 donation
Frederic Nystrom of the Contoocook Railway Museum is a long-time railroad employee and enthusiast who will share his vast knowledge of railroading in New Hampshire.
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Movie Night at the Telephone Museum
September 25, 2020 - Cancelled 7:00 p.m. - Suggested $5 donation New Hampshire Telephone Museum 1 Depot Street, Warner NH Murder on the Orient Express (1974 version). |
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Warner Railroad History Play
October 23, 2020 - Cancelled 7:00 p.m. Warner Town Hall 5 East Main Street, Warner NH Presented by New Hampshire Telephone Museum & Warner Historical Society |
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