10-24-09

Society Publishes New History of Walpole

Book Launch Party Today!

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            Rare old photos, tales of toil and trouble and more spice up “Walpole”, the new illustrated history of Walpole, New Hampshire to be launched today in a special party open to the pubic from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Society’s Academy Building Museum on Main Street.

            “We are very, very excited about this book -- filled with wonderful historic photographs from the WHS archives,” noted Tara Sad, a member of the Society’s Publications committee.  “It takes the reader back to Walpole's beginning, through its growing years, the wars, the floods, the hurricanes, the progress, and the building of the beautiful town that we enjoy today.”

            Surprises—and back-up photos—fill the book including the existence of the Fall Mountain Brewery, a five story building on the Cold River that was destroyed by fire in 1904, the snow load collapse of the Unitarian Church in 1920, and the burning of the old Town Hall in 1917 after it was struck by lightning.  The Town Hall’s Paul Revere bell, which had been carefully moved to the site along with the rest of the building, was damaged beyond repair.

Publications Committee Members -- Donna Drouin, Chair, Barbara Hunter, Bill Perron, Kerry Grenier and Tara Sad, assisted by graphic/photo artist Leo Drouin -- have been writing and compiling the material for the book for over a year.  The first copies will be on sale for $21.95 today at the reception, and the members of the Book Committee will be on hand to answer questions.

In his foreword to the book, Walpole resident Ken Burns recalls first seeing Walpole in 1974, five years before moving there.  “Walpole was that day like Brigadoon, a perfect place revealed only sparingly to the outside world, its beautiful houses, small business district, immaculate green, and slower pace a counterpoint to the busy world that consumed most of my attention…Every time I come back I experience the place anew, as I did in 1974, and I know without a doubt that I am, and forever will be, home.”

“Walpole”, published by Acadia Publishing in Acadia, Maine, has sections on the town’s origins, early settlements, start-up businesses, the Civil War and recovery, catastrophes, and change and preservation.  Acadia is the leading local history publisher in the United States and focuses on celebrating and preserving the heritage of America’s people and places.  Acadia’s books are printed in the USA on US made paper.  The paper is 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified to assure consumers that it comes from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Today’s party will feature the new history and include refreshments.  Requested donation to the Walpole Historical Society is $10 per person.

                                                            --30--