What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm

Historical Society of Cheshire County

Home
United States
Keene, NH
Historical Society of Cheshire County

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

The Historical Society of Cheshire County is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and communicating the history of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Thank you.

The Historical Society of Cheshire County(HSCC) was unique from the beginning because it was, and remains, the only county historical society in New Hampshire. The first public meeting was held in July 1927. At the meeting, bylaws were adopted and officers were elected. Samuel Wadsworth, a Keene jeweler, surveyor, and local historian, was selected as the first president. The interest in the Society was enormous as 250 charter members were enrolled. The Keene Public Library made available meeting and museum space. Historical lectures were presented at regular meetings as they are today. Most importantly, the newly established society laid a strong foundation for the encouragement of donations and important artifacts. In 1974 the Society opened a local history museum at the Colony House on West Street in Keene. Building on its already extensive collection of local glass and pottery, the Society transferred its remaining collection from the public library to its new home at the Colony House Museum. Today, the Historical Society of Cheshire County is located at 246 Main Street in Keene and has evolved to more than 1,000 members, 6 employees, 100 volunteers, and a 13,000-square-foot facility that includes a research and genealogy library with more than 300,000 local history items in the collection. The dreams that Frank Kingsbury, Clifford Wilbur, and Ella Abbott had of an organization to preserve the county's history have been realized, and the Society itself has now been a part of the region's rich history for more than 90+ years. All photos on this page are from the collections of the Historical Society. Please do not reproduce these images without obtaining permission from the Society. For reproduction permission or to order prints, please contact Kathy Schillemat at 603-352-1895 or [email protected].

11/05/2026

**We're Hiring!** The Historical Society of Cheshire County is looking for an organized, people-oriented Operations Manager to join the team in Keene, NH!

This is an opportunity to play an important role behind the scenes of a busy, community-centered historical organization. From overseeing day-to-day operations and financial administration to supporting visitor services, managing volunteers, and helping keep our museum store running smoothly, this position touches just about every part of what we do.

We're looking for someone who:
- Has at least 3 years of office management, operations, or administrative experience.
- Is organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable juggling multiple priorities.
- Brings strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Has experience with financial administration and bookkeeping.
- Enjoys working with people and supporting a collaborative team.

**Position Details:**
Location: Keene, NH
Schedule: Full-time, exempt
Salary: $48,000–$52,000

Benefits include paid holidays and PTO, retirement contribution matching, a museum store discount, and more.

To apply, email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line *Operations Manager Search Committee*.

Learn more about the position: https://champ.ly/qbZz3kof

11/04/2026

Your HSCC Membership Can Take You Places!

Did you know that becoming a member of the Historical Society of Cheshire County can open the door to more than 1,500 museums and cultural institutions across North America?

With an HSCC membership at the $100 Contributor level or higher, you can enjoy reciprocal benefits through The North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) Association, including:

Free admission to participating museums
Access to art and history museums, children's museums, botanical gardens, science centers, and more
Discounts at participating museum stores

Whether you're planning a local day trip or exploring somewhere new on your travels, there's so much more to discover as part of your membership to HSCC.

Find participating institutions near HSCC in the NARM directory: https://champ.ly/daZKndMX.

And explore membership options at https://champ.ly/uzkLjx94.

Your membership supports local history while helping you explore history everywhere!

11/03/2026

✨ Congratulations to 100+ Women Who Care: Cheshire County on 10 years of giving! And, what a wonderful program it was last night at The Colonial Theatre! 🙌

We were so pleased to be there and be chosen to present. Congratulations as well to Maps Counseling Services for their big win! While we didn't take home the grand prize, we were grateful to have a chance to talk about our renovation project of the Wyman Tavern Carriage Shed and how folks could support it!

Click the link for more information and how to support: https://hsccnh.org/carriage-shed-preservation/

We hope you will consider supporting this project to help preserve our shared history here in Keene and Cheshire County!

11/02/2026

Our next quarterly newsletter is coming soon, and we’d love for you to be part of it!

From fascinating stories tucked away in the archives to upcoming events, preservation projects, and the people who make Cheshire County special, our quarterly newsletter for Historical Society Members brings a little more local history right to your inbox.

Become a member of the Historical Society of Cheshire County to receive the next issue and stay connected to the stories, discoveries, and community efforts keeping our region’s history alive.

With annual memberships starting at $50, there’s a place for everyone in our history-loving community.

Join us and find YOUR place in history! Become a member today: https://champ.ly/6psFTrKV

11/01/2026

Your new favorite Main Street shop might be hiding inside a historical society.

When the New England chill rolls in, stop by the HSCC Shop for cozy fleeces and hats that let you show off a little local pride. Shopping for someone who loves Cheshire County? These make thoughtful holiday gifts for the history buffs, Keene locals, and proud New Englanders on your list.

Every purchase is also a way to support the Historical Society of Cheshire County and the work we do to preserve the stories, places, and people that make our region special.

So next time you're downtown, come browse, find something cozy, and take a little piece of local history home with you.

Shop HSCC and support local history: https://champ.ly/SjTjWx1W

11/01/2026

In October, author Howard Mansfield invited us to consider the “invisible monuments” of our region. He called upon us to think of all the mute memorials we may pass in a week that are unseen, "a blurred background to your daily commute.”

Mansfield took us back to 1848, when rival factions of Irish immigrant laborers clashed while building the Cheshire Railroad through the Summit Cut in Surry and Westmoreland. He read from Chapter 3 of his new book, Invisible Monuments: Tribute, Memory, and the Summoning of the Past, “When the War Between the Corkonians and Far Downs Came to America.”

Then he led us out to rediscover the Summit Cut trail, where hundreds of Irish workers carved through four stories of solid granite. Along the way, we saw evidence of the railroad’s construction, and Mansfield pointed us toward the possible site of the shanty town that once housed the workers and their families, complete with homes, storage buildings, a store, and even a school for the workers’ children.

It was a major riot in southwestern New Hampshire, yet it went largely undocumented until Mansfield went digging. We’re grateful to him for an engaging presentation and hike, and we’re encouraged that this chapter of our region’s immigrant history can finally be acknowledged. In the spirit of his book, the Summit Cut is itself an invisible monument: a place where, with a little memory and tribute, the past can be summoned back into view.

10/30/2026

On Thursday, October 15th, we held our annual Tavern Keeper Appreciation Event at Bruder House and the Historic Wyman Tavern.

Tavern Keepers are individuals who contribute annually towards the historical preservation, upkeep, and educational programs at the Historical Society of Cheshire County, especially our 1762 Wyman Tavern and other wonderful facilities here in Keene.

In 2026, we are grateful to have seventy-one (71) Tavern Keepers! We sincerely appreciate their support of the Tavern and look forward to celebrating our 100th anniversary with this group along with all of our donors and supporters in 2027!

A special congratulations to Mark & Alice Funk for winning this year's Tavern Keeper travel package giveaway, two passes to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA and an overnight stay at the Emerson Inn by the Sea

10/27/2026

Our first session sold out, but there's still time to join Howard Mansfield, Author for “Desperate Railroad Riot: When the Irish Labor Wars Came to Surry!”

We've added a second session on Saturday, October 31, at 9 a.m., and spaces are filling quickly!

Join us for a fascinating look at a little-known 1848 labor riot involving hundreds of Irish railroad workers as the Cheshire Railroad neared completion. First we’ll meet at the Historical Society at 246 Main Street in Keene where Howard will bring this remarkable chapter of local history to life. Then carpool to Westmoreland's Summit Cut to visit the very ground where the events unfolded.

We're also celebrating Howard's latest accomplishment! His new book, “Invisible Monuments: Tribute, Memory, and the Summoning of the Past,” was released just last week.

Get your copy in our museum store in advance or on the day of the tour 📖

Don't miss your chance to explore local history with Howard on October 31! Register here for free to reserve your place: https://champ.ly/qi8NJ8XV

10/23/2026

We’re more than halfway through the Casino Give Back, which means there are only a few days left to join in!

Through October 27th, a portion of the proceeds from participating gaming nights at Revo Casino in Keene will support our Carriage Shed Preservation Project at Wyman Tavern.

Planning a night out? Make it count for something extra 🎉 Grab your friends, at Revo Casino and Social House, and help us make a difference while you’re at it!

10/22/2026

Guess what? We're turning 100 next year, and we have some exciting things planned for our members! 🎉 We hope you’ll be part of this special anniversary.

For the last century, our members have helped us preserve local history, share stories, and bring our community together. As we prepare for this milestone, we invite you to join us for the celebration!

New membership benefits for 2027 include:
🎉 Exclusive centennial events and experiences
🎁 Gift memberships for friends or family under age 30
🎥 Special access to recorded lectures, films, and exhibits for Sustainer and Life Members
❤️ Convenient annual recurring membership options

Plus, members continue to enjoy free admission to the Wyman Tavern, museum store discounts, and more!

Renew your membership, join for the first time, or consider increasing your support. Help us begin our next century strong! https://champ.ly/N-_oMlAs

Address

246 Main Street
Keene, NH
03431

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

(603) 352-1895

Website

http://www.hsccnh.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Historical Society of Cheshire County posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.