Dr. Bruce D. Heald D.

New Hampshire was one of the first colonies to declare its independence from British rule. The patriotism and courage demonstrated in that act were by no means unprecedented--just before they began the Revolution, state residents attacked British-occupied Fort William and Mary in December 1774. While no battles were fought within the borders of the Granite State, these loyal sons of liberty contributed more men than any other state. Author Bruce D....

Lake Winnipesaukee has a long and well-deserved history as one of the most scenic and popular resort lakes in New England. Within this, the second volume of Boats and Ports of Lake Winnipesaukee, you can observe the lake's beauty and enjoy the continued history of the people, boats, and port towns which hug its shore. Lake Winnipesaukee has long drawn visitors to the area, offering a beautiful landscape and an abundance of natural treasures. Boats...

The White Mountain National Forest and Great North Woods have been described as "nature's mammoth museum." This is a land of many lakes and rivers, mountains and waterfalls, and pristine natural splendor, abundant with historic charm. The White Mountain National Forest was established by presidential proclamation in 1918. It owes its existence to the passage of the Weeks Act of 1911, which enabled the federal government to purchase land and establish...

The quaint one-room schoolhouses dotting New Hampshire formed the backbone of the early Granite State education system. Education-minded communities began building these bare-bones schools in the late seventeenth century. In a modest log or clapboard structure, a single teacher faced the challenge of instructing students of all grades through farming seasons and the daily rigors of rural life. Often, these determined educators were limited to instructing...

Sled dogs trot through expanses of sparkling white snow, pulling a musher and energetically surging with the command, "Let's go!" From puppies to seasoned competitors, sled dogs partner with mushers in a passionate pursuit of a great racing tradition. The renowned and formidable Laconia World Championship Sled Dog Derby, the New England Sled Dog Club and famous drivers like Dr. Charles Belford--who came in fifth place at Laconia at the age of seventeen--helped...

On July 3, 1869, the three-and-one-third-mile track leading to the summit of picturesque Mount Washington opened for public use. Once, only those daring enough to scale the 6,288 feet could enjoy the splendor of the scenery, but now everyone could journey to the summit using the invention of retired businessman Sylvester Marsh, who dreamed of this mountainous mode of transportation. Created at the height of the age of rail, the Cog Railway continues...

Of the several entrances to the White Mountains, none is more majestic than the Franconia Gateway. The gateway begins in the valley of the Pemigewasset River and reaches through broad meadows, between jagged mountains, alongside quiet pools and cascades of sparkling water, into the wilderness of Franconia Notch and beyond. Altogether, this region contains more historical secrets and hidden treasures than any other part of the White Mountains. The...

The roots of many cherished American traditions may be found on the main streets of New Hampshire towns. Often the heart of a town's social, political, and economic life, main streets offer a sense of identity, dignity, and serenity. Through images, Main Street New Hampshire reflects the romance and nostalgia of the past and showcases the sights and memorials of several important New Hampshire places, including Concord, Keene, Nashua, Rochester, Laconia,...

The Granite State has a remarkable record of service during the Civil War. It supplied a total of 10,657 recruits for the infantry, cavalry and field artillery divisions in 1861, with the majority of these first recruits enlisting for three years of service. Historian Bruce Heald lets the soldiers and sailors tell their stories in their own words by weaving together the letters to those left behind--families in Portsmouth and Nashua and sweethearts...

The history of Meredith as a corporate town dates back more than two hundred thirty years. Like most older towns, especially those devoted largely to agriculture, Meredith has greatly diminished in territory since its original incorporation; unlike most New Hampshire towns of this size, however, it is progressive and prosperous, and the valuation of the town has steadily increased. This growth is the result of Meredith's change from an agricultural...