HOOKSETT LISTINGS - STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources.
Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The NH State Register of Historic Places, established in 2001, is one part of the state's efforts to recognize and encourage the identification and protection of historical, architectural, archeological and cultural resources. These irreplaceable resources may be buildings, districts, sites, landscapes, structures or objects that are meaningful in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or traditions of New Hampshire residents and communities. The State Register is administered by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (NHDHR), which is the state's Historic Preservation Office.
ROBIE'S COUNTRY STORE Listed to National Register of Historic Places YEAR
9 Riverside Street Listed to State Register of Historic Places YEAR
(directions)
Since 1822 a general merchandise market has operated at the present site of Robie’s Country Store. The present building was constructed in 1907 and has remained virtually the same since that time. From its beginning, the store served as a provider of general merchandise to local residents as well as to travelers. It also has always been a favorite gathering spot for a cup of coffee, a game of checkers, or just to get warm by the wood stove and share spirited discussion on local or national issues. Its use as a town meeting and information center has been a vital part of the contribution it has made since its early days. For many years it also served as the town’s post office. From 1887 until 1997 it was run by a member of the Robie family. Four generations, 110 years–quite a legacy!
When the last of the Robie family operators retired in November 1997, sensing that a precious resource could be lost, a group of local citizens formed Robie’s Country Store Historic Preservation Corp. (an Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) organization) to save the store by maintaining the structure and controlling its use with the goal of creating a living, historical, educational, and cultural museum.
The store is now operated by proprietors Debbie and David Chouinard who are continuing the country-store tradition. In addition to the large selection of unique gifts made and produced in New Hampshire, the Chouinards offer Robie's famous cheese, homemade cookies, and Robie’s private label products. There’s a full-service deli, and breakfast and lunch specials daily.
Robie’s Country Store has also been designated as an Official Project of Save America’s Treasures. Established by Executive Order in February 1998, Save America's Treasures was originally founded as the centerpiece of the White House National Millennium Commemoration and as a public-private partnership that included the White House, the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Dedicated to the preservation and celebration of America's priceless historic legacy, Save Americas Treasures works to recognize and rescue the enduring symbols of American tradition that define us as a nation.
HEAD SCHOOL/CHAPEL AND HEAD CEMETARY
(Listed October 2007)
16 Pleasant Street
The earliest grave sites in Head Cemetery date to 1800 when Hooksett was a part
of Chester. Twenty-five burials can be identified between 1800 and 1822 when the
property was transferred to the new town of Hooksett. It contains the graves of
early Hooksett settlers and incorporators and their descendants. The headstones
vary from modest to quite ornate. The graves of Natt Head, who served as
Governor of the State of New Hampshire from 1879-1881, and family members are
there.
A schoolhouse was first built on the site in 1805 by the town of Chester. Hooksett built the present brick building in 1839. It served as the District 1 schoolhouse until it was closed in 1912 for lack of pupils. The Town voted to raise the sum of money ($300) necessary to remodel it as a chapel in 1922. The Annual Report for 1923 indicates that payments were made for labor and materials, but it is unclear exactly what was done and how often the chapel was used.
In 1965 the Hooksett Woman’s Club undertook a renovation project. A rededication of the building as a nondenominational chapel was held in 1966. The 1966 town report says that the Chapel was open to the public weekdays whenever the caretakers were in the area, and on Sundays and holidays it was open from 10 a.m. until dark during the summer months. Weddings were held there, and school children stopped by. A review of the guest book shows that from 1966 to 1984 visitors came to the chapel frequently. The entries ceased in the mid 1980s, presumably when the chapel was closed (locked) to public access. Since 1984 the buildings have been vacant.
It is one of a small group of 19th century brick schoolhouses in New Hampshire. The schoolhouse is unusual in that it was built of brick in an age when most similar buildings were more cheaply constructed of wood. Fortunately, Hooksett was at the heart of one of the most productive brick manufacturing areas in New Hampshire, and the District No. 1 schoolhouse, also known as Head School, is a relatively early reflection of that manufacturing tradition. Although other one-room schoolhouses exist, this one is rare because the wooden shed/privy survived. It contains two "two-hole outhouse" areas and room for storage. Its existence greatly enhances the educational value and historic interpretation of the site.
Urls for National Register, State Register, Robie’s and Save America’s Treasures:
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/
http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/programs/state_register.html