Local Attractions

Local Attractions

Some local attractions are seasonal, please call ahead to confirm times and days.

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Adams Old Stone Grist Mill Museum: Features farming equipment, electrical, local machine manufacturing artifacts, domestic and historic products, periodicals, etc. pertaining to the area during the 1800s donated by interested persons. Open July & Aug., Sat. & Sun. from 2-4 p.m. Other visiting hours subject to change. Main St., Under-the-Hill, Bellows Falls, VT. For more info, call the Gtr. Bellows Falls Chamber of Commerce at 802-463-4280.

Barrett House Tours: A grand Federal mansion built around 1800 and open to the public for guided tours and events from Sat. & Sun., Jun. 1-Oct. 15 with guided tours at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3 & 4 p.m. $5 adults; $4 seniors; $2:50 children 12 and under; SPNEA members free. Barrett House, Forest Hall, 79 Main St., New Ipswich, NH. For info, call 603-878-2517.

Blacksmith Shop: Step back in time to an era when the blacksmith was one of the most important craftsmen in the community. See the large collection of antique wrought iron work and tools on permanent display. Listen to the resident blacksmith as he explains the life of the rural smith and demonstrates the use of the tools and techniques of the trade. Jun.-Oct., Thur.-Mon., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed Tues. & Wed.). Free public demos Thur.-Mon., 11 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. The Blacksmith Shop, School St., Grafton, VT. For more info on places to go in Grafton, call the Information Center at 802-843-2255.

Floral Gates Nursery: Located at Sweet Pond State Park, includes access to mile-long trail going around pond with much wildlife. Periodic garden lectures and workshops. Nursery terrain fairly sloped and appropriate footwear advised. Features over 400 varieties of flowering perennials and shrubs on five acres of gardens. Free to public. Open Jul., Aug. and Sept. for garden viewing by appointment only. Floral Gates Nursery, Guilford, VT. For info, call 802-257-7406.

The Fort at No. 4: The Fort is a living history museum of the 1740s & 1750s. Located on 20 acres of terraced meadow land overlooking the Connecticut River, the Number Four museum is an authentic reconstruction of the original 1744 fortified settlement of Charlestown, NH. Located on NH Rte. 11 approx. 1 mile north of Charlestown, NH; 1/2 mile south of Springfield, VT-Charlestown, NH exit No. 7 off I-91. Open daily, until Oct. 17, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reopening mid May, 2000. For more info, call 888-367-8284 or visit our website: http://www.fortat4.com.

Friendly Farm: Imagine a place where people and animals mingle comfortably. A place where you and your family can enjoy farm animals at their best — in a clean, natural and relaxed atmosphere. Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (weather permitting) from late Apr. to Labor Day, then weekends through mid-Oct. Adults $4.75 ; children (1-12 years) $3.75. Group rates available upon request. Located on Rte. 101 in Dublin, NH, just 1/2 mile west of lovely Dublin Lake. 603-563-8444.

Grafton Historical Society Museum: Collection of Grafton artifacts. Open Sat., Sun. and holidays from Memorial Day thru Columbus day and most days thru fall foliage. 1:30-4 p.m. $1 admission for non-members; children under 3 free. Grafton Museum of Natural History, Main St., Grafton, VT. For more information or to arrange a tour outside regular hours, call 802-843-2564 or 802-843-2489.

Grafton Museum of Natural History: Exhibits touch on many different topics and themes — from local mammals and birds to Native American artifacts, from the beauty of weeds in winter to the importance of predation, from the miracle of migration, to the rainbow of colors and mystery of fluorescence in minerals, from the formation of fossils to the shape of skulls, and lots more. Open Sat., Sun. and holidays from Memorial Day thru Columbus day and most days thru fall foliage. 1-4 p.m. $1 admission for non-members; children under 3 free. Grafton Museum of Natural History, Main St., Grafton, VT. For more information or to arrange a tour outside regular hours, call 802-843-2347.

Greenville Wildlife Park: Wildlife park features an assortment of exotic animals including Golden Tabby, Siberian and Bengal tigers, lions, a Bactrian camel, emus, miniature deer, an assortment of goats, a kangaroo, Patagonian cavies, a hyena, black bears, wolves, leopards, and more. Open Wed.-Sun. year-round. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $3 per person, regardless of age. Additional donations welcome. All proceeds go to help the animals (food, shelter, medical care). Volunteers and corporate support also welcomed by this non-profit organization. Greenville Wildlife Park, just off Rte. 31 on Blanch Farm Rd., Greenville, NH. For more info, call 603-878-2255.

Historical Society of Cheshire County: Cheshire County related books, manuscripts, photographs, maps and business records. Genealogists, students, historians, or anyone interested in the county’s past are welcome to browse through the broad selection to be found here. Also features on-site, permanent collections museum room, featuring Keene and Cheshire County-made products as well as temporary feature exhibits focusing on Cheshire County history. Open Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wed., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-noon. Admission is free. Historical Society of Cheshire County, 246 Main St., Keene, NH. 603-352-1895.

Horatio Colony House Museum: Home of Horatio Colony, descendent of one of Keene’s historic families, the stately 1806 home transports you back to the 19th century lifestyle of a gentleman, surrounded by family treasures and fabulous collections from a lifetime of culture, refinement and travel. Open Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (last daily tour at 3 p.m.), May-Oct. 15 and Sat. year round. Admission is free. Horatio Colony Museum, 199 Main St., Keene, NH. For more info, call 603-352-0460.

Horatio Colony Preserves: 450 acres of woodlands, streams and upland swamps, laced with 3H miles of trails for hiking, picnicking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Located on West Hill, 2 miles from Keene. Open dawn to dusk, year round. Admission is free. Horatio Colony Preserve, DanielÕs Hill Rd., Keene, NH. For more info, call 603-352-0460.

Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum: Offers 15,000 years of the history of native peoples. Hundreds of artifacts depict life as it was for America’s original inhabitants of the woodlands, plains and Southwest. Guided tours through displays of baskets and beadwork, fishing equipment and canoes, weaving and quillwork. May-Oct., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. Free. Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum, Kearsage Mountain Rd. (follow signs from I-89), Warner, NH. For more info, call 603-456-2600.

The Pierce Homestead: Childhood Home of Franklin Pierce, 14th President of the United States Built in 1804 by his father Benjamin ( twice Gov. of NH), the homestead became a gathering place for great individuals including Daniel Webster. Open daily in Jul. & Aug.; Sat. & Sun. in June, Sept.-Columbus Day; and the following holidays: Memorial Day Weekend, Jul. 4 & Sept. 5. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and Sat., 1-4 p.m. Sun. Pierce Homestead, Hillsborough, NH. For more info or directions, call the Hillsborough Historical Society at 603-478-3165.

The Pierce Manse: Family home from 1842-1848 of the Concord lawyer, Franklin Pierce, who became the 14th President of the US and the only one from NH. The 1830s Greek Revival house has been restored insofar as possible to the home it must have been when the Pierces lived here with their two children. Many furnishings belonged to Pierce or other members of his family. Some items as known as ’White House pieces.’ Open mid-June-Labor Day, Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment. Closed holidays. $3 adults; $1 children and students. The Pierce Manse, 14 Penacook St., Concord, NH. For more info, write P.O. Box 426, Concord, NH 03302-0425. Call 603-225-2068, 224-5954, or 224-0094 for appointments only!

Swanzey Historical Museum: Museum dedicated to collecting and displaying the heritage of Swanzey, NH. Newly on exhibit this year is the sideboard with concealed bed which belonged to Denman Thompson of ’Old Homestead’ fame. Other exhibits include the 1901 Amoskeag Steam Fire Pumper #767 (built in Manchester) and a made-in-Concord stage coach, a Model ’A’ Ford, a lathe and grandfather clock from the early 1900s made by Silas Parsons, a sleigh, a rare traverse sled, a 1915 Esty Pump Organ, antique doll carriages and a large display of old dolls. Objects on display include railroad memorabilia, Hampshire pottery, Kingsbury toys, ’Old Homestead’ memorabilia, hand-built steam engines and miniature train engine (in working condition), baskets, buckets, quilts, tools, and old photos. Open afternoons daily through foliage season. Swanzey Historical Museum, Rte. 10, W. Swanzey, NH 03469.

Windham Foundations: Exhibits include old tools, carriages, photos of Grafton and a visitor-friendly sheep barn. Open daily, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Windham Foundation, Townshend Rd., Grafton, VT. For more information or to arrange a tour outside regular hours, call 802-843-2211.

The Wyman Tavern: “Keene’s Most Historic House,” was the scene of the first meeting of the trustees of Dartmouth College under President Eleazar Wheelock on Oct. 22, 1770, an event commemorated by the trustees of the college in 1970 when they convened in the same room where their predecessors first met. It was also from this tavern that 29 Minute Men started their march to Lexington, MA, under the command of Captain Isaac Wyman, the tavern proprietor and a veteran of the Indian Wars. Open Thurs.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jun. to Labor Day or by appointment. Admission $2. The Wyman Tavern at 39 Main St., Keene, NH. 603-352-1895.