CHESHIRE COUNTY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) For the first time since the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance launched its Seven to Save program in 2006, three of the seven sites named to this year’s list are in Cheshire County.

Announced Oct. 2 during the Alliance’s biennial preservation conference in Exeter, the 2025 list highlights irreplaceable New Hampshire landmarks that face threats from neglect, insufficient funding or redevelopment pressures. The program helps direct attention, partnerships and investment toward saving sites with cultural and economic value.

The Cheshire County honorees are the Anna Hunt Marsh and Charles Dana Metal Truss Bridges in Hinsdale, the Ware Family House in Alstead, and the Golden Rod Grange #114 in Swanzey. Each represents a distinct part of the Monadnock Region’s architectural and civic history.

Bridges span a century of engineering — and uncertainty

Spanning the Connecticut River between Hinsdale and Brattleboro, the Anna Hunt Marsh and Charles Dana Metal Truss Bridges were built in 1920 and 1926 by noted New Hampshire engineer John Storrs, according to the Preservation Alliance. The pair are among only four surviving Parker high truss bridges in the state and have long been celebrated as examples of early 20th-century steel engineering.

In late 2024, a new span—the General John Stark Memorial Bridge—opened to replace the old crossings and carry Route 119 traffic between the two states. The century-old truss bridges are now closed to vehicles, but advocates on both sides of the river hope to repurpose them as part of a planned greenway trail system linking New Hampshire and Vermont.

That vision, however, is not without challenges. Hinsdale officials have expressed concern over long-term maintenance costs, public safety and nuisance activity on the island between the bridges, while Brattleboro leaders have promoted a park-like reuse that includes walking paths and scenic overlooks. The state and federal government have set aside funding to help stabilize and adapt the bridges for non-vehicular use, and preservation advocates say the Seven to Save designation could strengthen future grant applications and partnerships.

Ware Family House: Alstead’s architectural gem

Built in the early 1880s by Harlan Ware, the Ware Family House in Alstead is a whimsical one-and-a-half-story cape featuring scalloped trim, a distinctive cupola and architectural details inspired by 19th-century designer Andrew Jackson Downing’s “suburban cottage” style.

Long cared for by the Ware and Pitcher families, the house eventually fell into disrepair and was taken by the town for back taxes. Local advocates see its inclusion on the Seven to Save list as a chance to draw attention and funding for restoration—an effort that would preserve one of the town’s architectural treasures while enhancing Alstead’s historic Mechanic Street neighborhood.

Golden Rod Grange: Restoring Swanzey’s community heart

Built between 1915 and 1916, the Golden Rod Grange #114 has stood for more than a century as a center of Swanzey’s civic and social life. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the Grange once hosted agricultural fairs, community suppers and local performances.

Ownership of the building transferred to the Town of Swanzey in 1992, and since then, the Swanzey Preservation Society has led the charge to stabilize and restore it. Over the years, volunteers have repaired the roof, replaced rafters and addressed structural issues, but decades of deferred maintenance have left the interior in need of significant investment.

Recent efforts include local fundraisers, volunteer clean-ups and a renewed push to transform the building into a senior and community center. The Preservation Society has used events like its annual heritage fair and a motorcycle tour fundraiser to rally public support and visibility for the project.

“The Grange was built to bring people together, and that’s still our goal,” the Society notes on its website. “We want to see it serve Swanzey again—just as it did for generations before us.”

Located across from the town hall and library, the Grange remains a key landmark in Swanzey Center. Advocates say the Seven to Save designation will help the town attract grants and partnerships needed to complete the rehabilitation and return the building to active community use.

Since its inception, the Seven to Save program has recognized more than 100 endangered properties across New Hampshire, with more than half successfully restored. The designation has helped spur funding and public awareness for projects such as Manchester’s Chandler House and Belmont’s Gale School—proof, preservationists say, that history can be both honored and revitalized.

The full list of the 2025 Seven to Save sites is available at nhpreservation.org.