We are a seasonal organization dedicated to preserving our town’s history, providing educational experiences and informative programs to the public, collecting artifacts and maintaining our museum, and providing an avenue for research.
On August 28, 1961 the first meeting of the Holderness Historical Society was held at the home of Susan Bacon Keith. Through the next years meetings were held in private homes, the Community Church and the fire house. When the New Hampshire Baptist Convention declared the North Holderness Church defunct the Historical Society purchased the building and had it moved from Perch Pond Road to Curry Place in 1994.
**NEW-See selected Holderness records under Archives
Museum Hours
July – September, Saturdays 10am – noon or by appointment. Contact holdernesshistsoc@yahoo.com
2017 Programs
***June 29 – 7:30 PM
at Holderness Historical Society
“Abraham and Mary Lincoln: The Long and the Short of It”
Steve and Sharon Wood
Distinctly different paths led Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd to Springfield, Illinois, where they met, married and began a family. The years that followed their move to the White House were filled with personal crises. Steve and Sharon Wood portray President and Mrs. Lincoln in this living history program, telling stories and their early lives and the challenges they faced during this turbulent time in our country’s history.
***July 15 – 4 to 6 PM
at Holderness Historical Society
You Are Invited to Tannenruh
Tannenruh, the former home of John Nicolay, Abraham Lincoln Personal Secretary is the site for a benefit for the Holderness Historical Society and the Holderness Free Library. The event will include a tour of the grounds and Helen′s Workshop, an exhibition of Helen Nicolay′s artwork*, and a display of Lincoln/Nicolay
memorabilia. There will be a brief talk on the soon to be published book Lincoln’s Secretary′s Secretary.
Wine and cheese will be served.
This is a rare opportunity to see Helen Nicolay′s oil and watercolor paintings that have been stored under a bed (Some for over 50 years). She authored over twenty books and her artwork was displayed at the Smithsonian, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington Water CoIor Club, National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Academy of Design, Whistler Museum, and the Old Print Barn.
Tickets are $25. Don’t miss this speciaI event: Only 50 tickets will be sold.
To order send a check made out to Holderness HistoricaI Society and mail to PO Box 319, HoIdemess, NH 03245.
*Helen’s painting Grove at Tannernruh Estate on Shepard Hill previously displayed at the Smithsonian will be shown exclusively at the fundraiser.
For more information: Please call Linda Foerderer 968-7487 or Missy Mason 968-3334.
In the event of rain – The activities at Tannenruh will be from 4 til 5:15 followed by the short talk and wine and cheese at the Historical Society.
***July 18 – 7:30 PM
at Holderness Historical Society
“Pleasures of the Parlor”
Marya Danihel
The music we listen to every day says a lot about us and our society and so it was with our Victorian forebears. Their favorite songs reveal much about their inner lives while also reflecting developments in the culture at large. Marya Danihel discusses and performs songs middle-class Victorian sang for pleasure at home in New England. Melodious, witty, and touching, this music includes parlor songs, Civil War songs, and selections by Stephen Foster and his contemporaries.
***September 7 7:30 PM
at Holderness Library
“Old Time Rules Will Prevail: The Fiddle Contest in New Hampshire and New England”
Adam Noyce
Fiddle contests evolved from endurance marathons to playing a set number of tunes judged by certain specific criteria. Whether large or small, fiddle contests tried to show who was the “best,” as well as preserve old-time fiddling and raise money for local organizations. In recent years, the fiddle contest has declined significantly in New England due to cultural changes and financial viability. The greatest legacies of these contests were recordings made during live competitions. A sampling of these tunes will be played during the presentation, as well as, live fiddling.
***Sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council
Doing genealogical research? For the local cemetery, information see site maintained by member Carl Sheperd, website.