Meeting House Restoration Committee

WELCOME TO THE 1772 MEETINGHOUSE - READY FOR RESTORATION AND REVIVAL!

As residents of New Durham, we are all the proud owners of one of the few remaining pre-Revolutionary War Meetinghouses in the state. For more than 250 years, the building has stood at the crest of a hill along Old Bay Road overlooking New Durham Corner, the original Town center. It served as the seat of government and religion.

The site, now called Meetinghouse Park, also contains the Town’s first cemetery, a stone Town pound built in 1809, a vernal pool with a wooden overlook, and marked trails. Both the building and the pound are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Meetinghouse is also a designated Seven to Save resource, a distinction bestowed by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, as well as a state Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant awardee.

The Town’s Select Board formed the 1772 Meetinghouse Restoration Committee in 2006 to restore New Durham’s most historic building physically and culturally. The Committee’s goal has always been to restore the building for use by the public. This building has been the gathering place for New Durham residents since before there was an America and it belongs to all of us.

The restoration work has been divided into phases: Phase I, the frost-free foundation, with only a ADA accessible ramp to be completed. The remaining phases include timber frame repair and roof replacement, windows and doors; interior work to bring the building up to code. 

Completion of each phase allows for greater and varied use by the Town and the community. And there is a demand for that use. The Program Summary of the Town Facilities Plan states: “The basic needs vary from facility to facility, but a common shortcoming is the need for storage space and meeting space.”

Not only does the Meetinghouse have the space – it has the original space!

In 2000, residents voted to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the restoration of the Meetinghouse; that way money could be put aside each year if voted for by the resident's of New Durham. As the fund builds, so does our ability to receive grants of larger amounts. Donations are also accepted and Fundraising events and opportunities take place throughout the year. 

This building has been the gathering place for New Durham residents since before there was an America. What an honor it is that this town still has its most historic building. What a responsibility we have to ensure that future generations may use it.

The 1772 Meetinghouse is situated on Old Bay Road and by its very name provides the clue as to its original use by past residents for the Town of New Durham. This was the building that began the process of local town governance in a fledgling democratic manner. The historical decisions made determined the origins and growth of the Town of New Durham.

Staff Contacts

Name Phone
Cecile Chase (603) 859-2091 ext 2003

Committee Members

Name Title
Robin Bickford Member
Clayton Randall Member
Ellen Phillips Chair and Treasurer
Bob Bickford Vice Chair
Cathy Allyn Secretary