Historical Society of Cheshire County

Historical Society of Cheshire County The Historical Society of Cheshire County is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and communicating the history of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Thank you.

The Historical Society of Cheshire County(HSCC) was unique from the beginning because it was, and remains, the only county historical society in New Hampshire. The first public meeting was held in July 1927. At the meeting, bylaws were adopted and officers were elected. Samuel Wadsworth, a Keene jeweler, surveyor, and local historian, was selected as the first president. The interest in the Societ

y was enormous as 250 charter members were enrolled. The Keene Public Library made available meeting and museum space. Historical lectures were presented at regular meetings as they are today. Most importantly, the newly established society laid a strong foundation for the encouragement of donations and important artifacts. In 1974 the Society opened a local history museum at the Colony House on West Street in Keene. Building on its already extensive collection of local glass and pottery, the Society transferred its remaining collection from the public library to its new home at the Colony House Museum. Today, the Historical Society of Cheshire County is located at 246 Main Street in Keene and has evolved to more than 1,000 members, 6 employees, 100 volunteers, and a 13,000-square-foot facility that includes a research and genealogy library with more than 300,000 local history items in the collection. The dreams that Frank Kingsbury, Clifford Wilbur, and Ella Abbott had of an organization to preserve the county's history have been realized, and the Society itself has now been a part of the region's rich history for more than 90+ years. All photos on this page are from the collections of the Historical Society. Please do not reproduce these images without obtaining permission from the Society. For reproduction permission or to order prints, please contact Kathy Schillemat at 603-352-1895 or [email protected].

Cheers to Andrea Cheeney! 🍺This month we say goodbye to Andrea Cheeney, who has been with the Historical Society of Ches...
08/20/2026

Cheers to Andrea Cheeney! 🍺

This month we say goodbye to Andrea Cheeney, who has been with the Historical Society of Cheshire County since 2014. For 12 years, Andrea served as our marketing coordinator, museum store manager and Brew Fest organizer, contributing her time and talent to our mission.

Andrea's last day is August 27th. Stop by to wish her well in person or reply to this email with your good wishes.

08/16/2026

A moment in local history: Death and 'Life' at the post office, by Alan F. Rumrill

Hiram Woodward, the postmaster at East Westmoreland, New Hampshire, passed away in December of 1948.

What a great event today, celebrating Dr. Albert C. Johnston and his family with a new historic marker in Keene. We appr...
08/15/2026

What a great event today, celebrating Dr. Albert C. Johnston and his family with a new historic marker in Keene. We appreciate the invite to share their story, preserving the link between local history and our collective American story. All the more special to have so many of the Johnston family in attendance along with those who knew the Dr. Johnston, his wife Thyra, and their four children. ,

Dr. Albert C. Johnston, a Black physician who, along with his family, lived in Keene while passing as white in the 1930s and 1940s, was commemorated in Keene NH.

08/14/2026

“Zukes, No Cukes” Exhibit Opening Reception, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 4-6 pm

Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and trustees who helped clean out our historic carriage shed! The artifacts have bee...
08/14/2026

Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and trustees who helped clean out our historic carriage shed! The artifacts have been safely secured while we begin our carriage shed preservation project. Visit our website for more information. Www.hsccnh.org

Congratulations to BlackCloud Brewing of Keene, NH — winner of this year’s People’s Choice award at the 12th Annual Wyma...
08/13/2026

Congratulations to BlackCloud Brewing of Keene, NH — winner of this year’s People’s Choice award at the 12th Annual Wyman Tavern Brew Fest! 🍻

Thank you to the nearly 500 attendees, volunteers, and food and beverage vendors who made this year’s event such a success!

Mark your calendars — we’ll see you again on Saturday, August 7, 2027

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08/10/2026

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In April 1775, a group of Keene men gathered at Wyman Tavern and left for war.

Built around 1761, the tavern is now the oldest house on Main Street and the second-oldest house in the city. It once welcomed travelers with beds, meals and, according to records, probably rum.

But its biggest story dates back to the start of the American Revolution, when Isaac Wyman led a group of local farmers-turned-Patriots from the tavern toward Massachusetts. They left with wool coats, canteens, muskets and ammunition, not knowing how long they would be gone or whether they would come home.

Today, the Historical Society of Cheshire County offers tours of Wyman Tavern, where visitors can learn about 1700s tavern life, Keene’s Revolutionary War history and the gathering place that became part of a much larger story.

Watch the full story here:
https://www.wmur.com/article/chronicle-wyman-tavern-houses-key-history/73358321

Address

246 Main Street
Keene, NH
03431

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(603) 352-1895

Website

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