2025: THE HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM FALLS
2024: THE HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM FALLS
The Freedom and Effingham Historical Societies have jointly developed two new unique and exciting exhibits that feature the industries, heritage, and events of “The Falls”, opening May 25, 2024. Please visit the Freedom Historical Society Museum and the Effingham Historical Society Museum as we take visitors on a stroll through complementary ,museum displays that tell the stories of the historic Town of Effingham and the dynamic events of the past that created the Town of Freedom
The land that is now the towns of Effingham and Freedom, NH, is blessed with rolling hills, forests, and the Ossipee River. It was utilized in multiple ways by its indigenous population, early settlers, as well as today’s residents. The great Ossipee River served as a principal “highway” and source of food for the Abenaki Tribes. For European settlers, the Ossipee River also provided a transportation corridor for the timber industry and furnished waterpower for early mills. At the turn of the 20th Century, the natural resources of the Ossipee Lake system attracted tourists and created an increase in summer residents. Camping, seasonal homes, water sports, hunting, and fishing became the driver of the local economy. The section of the Ossipee River from where it leaves the outflow dam and travels to the Maine border is the boundary line between Effingham and Freedom.
This year, the Freedom Historical Society and the Effingham Historical Society are joining together to develop complimentary exhibits that highlight the common industries and heritage of “The Falls” (AKA the “village” of Effingham Falls; also known as the “Lower Village” by “Freedomites”). These two new exhibits will feature the history of people, places and events of Effingham Falls through photographs, artifacts, new articles, maps and research completed by volunteers from both Historical Societies.
Early history shows that “village” families such as the Parsons, Nasons, Thurstons, Bradburys, Cuttings, and Stokes, participated in their social and business activities on both sides of the river. Additionally, there will be an exhibit display at the Freedom Historical Society featuring information about early indigenous people inhabiting this area along the Ossipee River before Europeans arrived.
Brandon Buttrick, Co-President of the Freedom Historical Society, emphasizes that this exhibit partnership demonstrates a strong working relationship between the two local volunteer historical societies. Visitors will have the opportunity to “walk through the common threads” that united the people and industries of the village called Effingham Falls. By having the exhibit in two locations, we can greatly increase the exposure of this important local history and bring more attention to our joint research efforts.
Opening day for this interesting and informative exhibit on Effingham Falls is on May 25 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Freedom Historical Society at 28 Old Portland Road, Freedom, NH, and at the Effingham Historical Society at 1014 Province Lake Rd, Effingham, NH. After the launch, these two exhibits will be open every Wednesday from 10 AM to Noon and every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
CELEBRATING THE BUSINESSES OF FREEDOM 1880 – 1920
“Celebrating the Businesses of Freedom” highlights the businesses in Freedom Village during the turn of the 20th century, and the people who ran them. During this time, Freedom, like many rural towns in New England, was slowly undergoing a transformation from an economy based on local, home-grown businesses to one based on tourism. This special exhibit in the Works Barn, located at 28 Old Portland Road in Freedom, provides visitors an historical look back at various businesses including 6 general mercantile stores, a savings bank, a tannery, a grist mill, blacksmiths, a cobbler, a creamery, harness shops, a funeral service, inns, and boarding houses. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore and experience what it was like to work and shop in Freedom Village between 1880 and 1920. In addition, we have created a tour map of Freedom Village that provides our visitors with a very informative walk around the village. On this tour, visitors will discover where these businesses were located and what they looked like through historic images from that time. The exhibit provides a fascinating step back in time and an excellent educational experience. It reflects the local impact of changes in our nation’s socio-economic landscape. The exhibit coordinators are Brandy Buttrick and Noel Quinton.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF FREEDOM PAINTERS 1970 – 2020
“Celebrating 50 years of Freedom Painters from 1970 to 2020” is the second exhibit, and it is located in the Allard House Music Room. The Freedom painters include Peg Scully, Terri Brooks, Elizabeth Acton, Barbara McEvoy, Nancy Essex, Laura Thomson, Gary Hecktner, Ian Marshall, Alice Macy Miller, and Sarah Tabor. The exhibit includes a bio sketch and photo of each artist and two paintings on display reflecting the artist’s typical style. The goal is not only to educate today’s visitors about Freedom’s painters over the last 50 years, but to make sure that 100 years from now residents will know who they were and what their artistry looked like. The exhibit coordinator is John Shipman.
MRS. J.C. FERREN’S MILLINERY, DRY AND FANCY GOODS SHOP ….. **Video tour available**
Between 1884 and 1908, Mary Marston (Mrs. J. C. ) Ferren owned the millinery and dressmaking shop on the second floor of the old Federal House in the center of Freedom. You can now experience the Freedom Historical Society’s reimagined Mrs. Ferren’s millinery shop as it was in the early 20th century. Click here to tour this historical store with Brandy Buttrick, the Coordinator of the 2021 Exhibit on Clothing & Textiles. Enjoy!
FREEDOM’S OWN JOHN HOLMGREN ….. **Video tour available**
The Freedom Historical Society is currently showcasing the artwork and illustrations of renowned artist and Freedom summer resident John Holmgren. The exhibition, Freedom’s Own John Holmgren, features 11 artworks from the Museum’s collection and on loan from Holmgren’s family. Holmgren’s depictions of the people and places of Freedom celebrate his love for his seasonal home. Holmgren, from New York City, lived for 50 years in Freedom with his family during summers in the big house on Elm Street next to the town hall that used to be the Elm Hotel. Click here to take a virtual tour of this fascinating exhibit!
DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM
From WWI uniforms, to badges, mess kits and 1860s-era military accessories, the exhibition Defenders of Freedom showcased the stories and history of Freedom’s military veterans through objects, clothing, photographs, postcards, and other documents.
Freedom Historical Society & Museum 