Coming Together to Preserve Local History

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Sometimes it takes a community to decide that history is worth saving. In 1917, an iconic Georgian home at the corner of State and Middle Streets in Portsmouth—built in 1758 for merchant Gregory Purcell—was at risk of demolition. Believed to have hosted American naval hero John Paul Jones while his ships were under construction at the nearby naval yard, the house had long been part of the city’s historic fabric. Concerned citizens rallied to stop a local insurance company from destroying the house and building a brick office building on the property, thanks to a generous gift from a descendant of former owner Woodbury Langdon. That moment sparked the founding of the Portsmouth Historical Society, which opened the home as a museum in 1920. It is of historic note that there is no definitive evidence to support the claim that John Paul Jones stayed there. Today, the Portsmouth Historical Society continues that spirit of civic action by preserving local history, sharing stories through exhibitions, and engaging the community. None of it would be possible without the determination of those early citizens who believed Portsmouth’s past was worth protecting.

In Luck Now at Last

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After retiring in 1910, millionaire shoe industrialist Thomas G. Plant began developing his grand retirement estate in the Ossipee Mountains of New Hampshire. He purchased 6,300 acres of land in Moultonborough and Tuftonboro, and hired architect J. Williams Beal to design an Arts & Crafts mansion that harmonized with the majestic scenery of the Lakes Region. Between 1913 and 1914, Plant employed over 1,000 construction laborers. They built a mansion, outbuildings, and recreational features across the property, including a golf course and 45 miles of carriage and bridle trails. The mansion was outfitted with modern conveniences, including central vacuum, interphones, and refrigeration. Plant engaged renowned artisans like Tiffany, Caldwell, and Wragge for the mansion’s high-end finishes. Local newspapers speculated he was building a “castle” for his new bride, Olive Dewey of Toulon, Illinois.

Thomas Plant and Olive Dewey met while traveling abroad in 1912. Olive was a well-educated young woman with progressive views. She had worked as a bank teller and teacher before meeting Plant. The couple shared a love of theater, museums, opera, and travel. They were married in the spring of 1913. When the Plants moved in the following year, they named their beloved mountaintop home “Lucknow”, perhaps to honor their good fortune, and Olive penned a poem of the same name to commemorate the splendor of their estate.

Volunteers Make a Difference on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Castle in the Clouds Volunteers. Photo by Colleen Crowley

Volunteering is a fun and enriching experience on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, which features nearly two dozen member institutions across the Granite State.

“It’s wonderful to welcome people as a greeter at the Folsom Tavern,” said Dawn Jelley, who volunteers at the American Independence Museum (AIM). “I’ve been volunteering for the past six years, and I love it.”

Home to 3,000 historic artifacts, including an original copy of the Dunlap Broadside (Declaration of Independence), AIM develops programs, events, and exhibits that engage people of all ages in the ongoing struggle for freedom and self-governance. “Without volunteers, AIM cannot engage anyone with this mission,” said Dr. Robert Levey, Interim Executive Director at AIM. “Volunteers like Dawn are invaluable.”

To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at AIM, visit independencemuseum.org or email volunteer@independencemuseum.org.

At Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, Paula said she enjoys the human connection she experiences as a volunteer. “I know that I will meet at least one guest who makes me smile each day,” she said. “I encourage all who have the time and interest to volunteer at Castle in the Clouds.”

A 6,300-acre property built in 1913-1914, Castle in the Clouds welcomes visitors from across the world. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Castle in the Clouds, visit castleintheclouds.org or email volunteers@castleintheclouds.org.

According to Jeff Barraclough, Executive Director of the Millyard Museum in Manchester, volunteers are the “unsung heroes” of their operation. “We operate on tight margins, so the in-kind contributions by volunteers in the form of time and energy are priceless,” he said.

Operated by the Manchester Historic Association, the Millyard Museum features rotating exhibitions and the Discovery Gallery, which is a multi-purpose space used for school groups, family programs, lectures, temporary exhibits, and other activities. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at the Millyard Museum, visit manchesterhistoric.org or email history@manchesterhistoric.org.

For Barraclough, however, the main takeaway is the impact volunteers have on the visitor experience across The Trail. “Volunteers make a huge difference in our respective abilities to educate and inspire people of all ages,” he said. “We are so grateful for volunteers.”

For Jelley, though, her personal takeaway is the fun she experiences as a volunteer, especially at AIM’s Folsom Tavern (1775). “It is wonderful to welcome people back to 1775 and to visit the tavern like they would have back when it opened its doors,” she said.

Busy October at Castle in the Clouds on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

October is a busy month for Castle in the Clouds on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. Many events feature a fall or Halloween theme, including a Graveyard Tour, which takes place on Monday and Saturdays at varying times throughout October. On this tour, visitors walk approximately two miles throughout the property to view remnants of cemeteries from long ago.

On Friday, Oct. 13, Castle in the Clouds will host a Pumpkin Walk, a self-guided hike on an easy, family-friendly trail lined with lighted jack-o’-lanterns. Costumes are encouraged, and the walk is Halloween-themed and appropriate for all ages (not scary).

On Monday, Oct. 16, 5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Glenn Knoblock will provide insight into how cemeteries and gravestones reveal forgotten aspects of history in New Hampshire Cemeteries and Gravestones. Independent scholar and author of more than twenty books, Knoblock has served as the main military contributor to Harvard and Oxford University’s landmark African American Biography Project. He has also written for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

“With his profound expertise in historic cemeteries and grave markers, Glenn will undoubtedly elevate this exploration of New Hampshire history, bringing invaluable insights to enrich the experience,” said Charles Clark, Executive Director of Castle in the Clouds.

For more information about Castle in the Clouds, click here.

In addition to Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, member institutions on The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or any member institution, including Castle in the Clouds, click here.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Puts Spotlight on Castle in the Clouds

Originally called Lucknow, Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough sits on 6,300-acres developed in 1913 by Tomas G. Plant, a wealthy shoe manufacturer, to create a luxurious lifestyle.

“At the time, the estate featured state-of-the-art amenities, beautiful hand-made furnishings, and a large staff to run it,” explained Executive Director Charles Clark.

Today, visitors come from across the world to tour the mansion and exhibit gallery, dine in the Carriage House Restaurant or Café in the Clouds, and hike miles of trails maintained by Lakes Region Conservation Trust.

A founding member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, Castle in the Clouds has also become well known for its wide variety of events held year-round. This upcoming Labor Day Weekend is no exception, beginning with Castle Close-Up Tour: The Servant Experience on Friday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m.

“This special tour kicks off Labor Day Weekend and will highlight the many ways labor was involved in the building and operation of Lucknow,” said Clark. “It’s an interesting tour that explores the living quarters and workspaces of the estate staff in an effort to better understand the servant experience and their stories.”

On Monday, September 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Castle in the Clouds will host Labor Day Family Picnic & Mini Parade. At this event, visitors are invited to bring their own picnic lunch or purchase food on the property. During the picnic, visitors may participate in activities, including lawn games and make-your-own musical instruments, followed by a mini parade around the field at 1:45 p.m.

“If you want to participate, bring recycled materials, including cans, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, bottles, jar lids, or anything else you think you could turn into an instrument,” Clark added.

Labor Day Weekend at Castle in the Clouds concludes with Putting Human Faces on the Textile Industry: The Workers of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company on Monday, September 4 at 5:00 p.m. During this presentation, made possible by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities: Humanities To Go program, guests will glean insights into the daily life of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company textile workers in the early 1900’s.

“It’s a fascinating look at how people from European countries and French Canada made the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society,” said Clark. “It’s a look into how these changes affected families, local cultures, the nature of work itself, and relationships among workers.”

In talking about their membership in the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, Clark said he hopes Castle in the Clouds can inspire visitors to visit other member institutions throughout New Hampshire.

“New Hampshire is full of history, and there is no better way to experience it than on the New Hampshire Heritage Trail,” he said.“All of our members feature professional staff, fun events, and inspiring programs. Some members, like us, also feature incredible natural scenery that can be explored by walking trails, so there is no shortage of things to do.”

In addition to Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, member institutions on The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or any member institution, including Castle in the Clouds, click here.