Hopkinton Historical Society

07/15/2026

Discover the stories of four of Hopkinton's Civil War soldiers at our newest exhibit, "Lives Interrupted: Hopkinton's Civil War Soldiers." Learn about the lives of David Osgood Harrington, George Joshua Raymond, Burleigh Kimball Jones, and Gilbert Fisk Dustin through their personal artifacts, including a newly acquired soldier's kepi, wartime letters, a writing kit, and cherished keepsakes that reflect the service and sacrifice of local men.

07/15/2026

Last night's reception at the Hopkinton (NH) Town Library was a great chance to hear Gwen McGrath Peters talk about the 1976 bicentennial quilt she helped create while teaching at Maple Street School and to see some of the students and volunteers involved in the project.

Also, check out the Concord Monitor article about the quilt at https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/07/12/50-years-later-a-bicentennial-quilt-goes-on-display-in-hopkinton/.

The quilt is on display at the library through July and after that at the Society through December where it is part of the ongoing “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: Hopkinton and the American Revolution” exhibit running through December.

07/10/2026

Between August and December, the quilt will be on display at the Society as part of our 2026 exhibit, "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: Hopkinton and the American Revolution."

Stop by the library this month to see the Bicentennial Quilt made by Maple Street School Fourth Graders in 1976. It will be on display at Hopkinton Town Library through the end of July.

Please also join us for a reception at the library on Tuesday, July 14, at 5pm, with Gwen (Peters) McGrath, the teacher who spearheaded the project, and some of the students who worked on it.

The quilt is on loan from Hopkinton Historical Society .

07/06/2026

While the battles took place far away, the Civil War hit close to home for many Hopkinton families, including two young first cousins, who died within months of each other. You can read about them in this Concord Monitor article, and visit the Society to learn more.

Towards the back of the Old Hopkinton Cemetery, a lichen-covered grave sits in the shade of a tree. The inscription, worn and faded with time, marks it as the grave of David Harrington, a Union soldier in the Civil War. Harrington was a young Hopkinton native studying in Manchester when he enlisted....

07/03/2026

Looking for something to do on the 4th in between festivities? Stop by the Society to check out our newest exhibit, "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: Hopkinton and the American Revolution." In it, you'll see how the American Revolution transformed everyday life in Hopkinton, including how ordinary people experienced, shaped, and have remembered the struggle for independence. The Society will be open from 9-1 and is air conditioned.

07/02/2026

The annual reading of Frederick Douglass's "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" is a powerful reminder that while inequality still exists, so does hope. May we continue striving to make the promise of liberty and justice a reality for all.

Thank you to Bob LaPree for videotaping the event and to the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire for organizing this statewide event.

https://youtu.be/2ls4yF2C4Oc?si=5k7wVtxdaYDWSupm

06/20/2026

Thank you, Sienna, for a terrific class!

06/11/2026

We are looking for help to confirm the names of the women in these photos from the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion of E. Roger Montgomery Post #81 of Contoocook, N.H. who worked on this bicentennial quilt. The quilt was raffled to raise funds for the kitchen in the Legion’s new building.

For the photo of five women, we have their names as Gertrude Hankins, Liz Reddy, Mabel Emerson, Ginny Roberts and Barbara McCabe.

For the photo of three women, we have their names as Edith Carr, Millie Rice, and Liz Reddy.

We would also love to hear your memories of this project.

Thanks for your help!