Plymouth Historical Society
1 Court Street, Plymouth, NH 03264
Hours
Sat 10am-1pm
Museum & Memory House
Saving yesterday for tomorrow
Located in the Old Webster Courthouse
Court Street (behind the Town Hall)
PO Box 603, Plymouth, New Hampshire 03264
In her book, Twenty Decades in Plymouth, New Hampshire, 1763-1963, Eva A. Speare includes the following Introduction
"The Future is the past"
The above maxim is axiomatic in its application to the commemoration of the two hundredth birthday of the Town of Plymouth. Every decade since July 15, 1763 has promoted the future. Although time does not permit the preparation of a documented history, this two hundredth milestone requires a review of the elements that have distinguished the town.
Accordingly, the Bicentennial Commission has published a narrative of the principal events in each of the twenty decades. How the founders determined the ethical, moral and law-abiding principles of town government. How the early settlers utilized the local resources; water power, forests and clay deposits. How transportation encouraged trade and native genius discovered new processes that introduced manufacturing. How the early necessity for higher education resulted in the present honorable status of the town. These are described from decade to decade, the facts derived from records of residents no longer among us.
To the integrity, patriotism and industry of the founders and their descendants, Plymouth owes its growth. To its geographical situation, Plymouth is indebted, in part, for its present advancement. To its professional and commercial leaders, Plymouth assigns its widespread reputation. The story about these achievements is gradually revealed within this small volume, written especially for children, yet of historical significance for adults. May future decades enjoy an increasing prosperity that evolves from the past two hundred years.
We offer several methods for shipping on most of our products. Which you choose will depend on what and how much you are buying. We find that choosing UPS Ground shipping will start you with a shipping cost of about $11.55 for one item. But, if you add more items to the cart, it takes a few items before the shipping price goes up much. So, in the long run, UPS Ground seems to be the better choice for multiple items. If you are buying just a few postcards, USPS First Class Mail is the better way to go. In store pick-up items have to be ordered separately since there is no shipping charge. If your cart has items that you want to be sent via USPS and other items that you want to be sent UPS, you will be asked to divide the order and submit them separately. It's all a matter of what you are ordering. It is worth it to play around with it some to get the best rate.
Plymouth Historical Society
Louise McCormack, President
Plymouth Historical Society – History
Discover, Preserve, Share Our Historical Knowledge
How Plymouth’s Historical Society Came to BE….
Around 1970, under the guidance of Rachel Keniston and Charlotte Fox Pease, the Young Ladies Library Association (YLLA) decided that they should display all the historical items that had been donated to the YLLA for the public to enjoy. Up until this time, these artifacts had always been boxed and stored in different YLLA members’ homes. Much hard work and enthusiasm was put into creating displays that filled the hospitality room downstairs of the Congregational Church. The event went on for 1 or 2 days, and it was extremely well attended and much excitement came from this event. The public and the Young Ladies realized that a home was desperately needed that would serve as a permanent museum.
One YLLA member, Judy Floyd, had just moved here from Gilford and after an exhibit, she mentioned to Rachel Keniston that her hometown of Gilford had a very successful historical society and Plymouth should consider the same. Rachel was a Plymouth native and her support would be needed to gather support from the community. Another interested member, Audrey O'Neill (originally from Chicago), joined the twosome to help spark interest among the community members. Audrey and Judy toured the fire department , downtown stores, and some groups talking about the need for a permanent museum. Rachel introduced the idea to many of the folks in Plymouth whose support would be needed along the journey.
The first meeting of interest regarding the future of an historical society was held in the Grafton County Courthouse (now the town hall) in the early 1970’s. An incorporation paper was created with the list of officers, and people who supported this new organization. The President of the New Hampshire State Historical Society, John Page, was invited to the meeting along with William Taylor, an historian from Plymouth State University. An article was written for the Plymouth Record that recorded how a group of local women, with the support of the town, created this organization with the purpose of ‘serving the community by collecting historical materials and making them available.’
Pease Library Moves from 1 Court Street to Russell Street
By the 1960s, the town library had outgrown its facility so a small workroom and bathroom were added at the 1 Court Street location. For thousands of us, this will be remembered as our library. In November of 1982, Charlotte Pease, a longtime member of the Young Ladies Library Association, left a bequest to the organization. It was prudently invested during the 1980s,and in 1987 a Library Development Committee was formed to oversee the building of a new facility. In January of 1991, Pease Public Library opened its doors at the former Pease house.
Plymouth Historical Society finds their home in the ‘old library’
The historical society found a home and moved in in 1992. This non-profit organization began with a slate of officers whose intent was to discover, preserve, and share its history. Today (2019), the historical society continues to open its doors year round to Plymouth residents and beyond. The building with its incredible history is small in size, but rich in what has occurred within its walls since it was built in 1774. We thank the Plymouth residents who were both prudent and wise to collect ‘our stories’ within these walls.
The Plymouth Historical Society is a non profit 501c (3) organization
Hours
Sat 10am-1pm