KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Local history isn’t confined to centuries-old buildings. The Historical Society of Cheshire County is documenting the experiences of people from across the region while finding new ways to share those stories with today’s audiences.

Based in downtown Keene, the Historical Society works to collect, preserve and communicate the history of Cheshire County while creating opportunities for people to connect with the region through history, art, culture and the environment.

The organization describes its role simply: helping people “find their place in history.”

That work reaches thousands of people each year. The Historical Society presents approximately 150 programs annually and serves an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people through its programs, exhibits, research resources and educational offerings.

Its collections are among the most extensive historical collections in southwestern New Hampshire. The Society also operates a research library and works with a team of two full-time employees, six part-time employees and about 75 volunteers.

Education is another major part of the organization’s work. During the school year, students from elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Monadnock Region visit the Society for educational programs. Its Hands-On-History program gives students the opportunity to interact with artifacts, examine primary sources and take guided tours designed to connect classroom learning with the stories of their own region.

The Society’s downtown campus includes its headquarters at 246 Main St., the historic Wyman Tavern at 339 Main St. and the Bruder House at 349 Main St.

The Wyman Tavern, built in 1762, has a particularly deep connection to the area’s Revolutionary-era history. On April 21, 1775, local residents gathered at the tavern as 30 minutemen prepared to march toward Lexington and Concord.

The site continues to serve as a reminder that historic buildings were once active centers of community life — places where residents gathered, conducted business, debated issues and organized around events that shaped the future.

The Society is now working to preserve another piece of that history: the approximately 264-year-old horse and carriage shed beside the tavern.

The preservation project is being completed in phases. The first phase has a fundraising goal of $90,000, with a second phase planned for early 2027 and a goal of $50,000.

“Help us Preserve the Future of the Past” is the Society’s message for the project.

History Through a Modern Lens

While preserving historic objects and buildings remains central to its mission, the Historical Society also continues to broaden the stories it tells.

In recent years, its programming and collections have explored the experiences of immigrants, Native American history, the often-overlooked history of Black residents in the region and the LGBTQ+ experience in Cheshire County.

Technology has also expanded the Society’s reach. Programs and historical material can be shared through Zoom, YouTube, social media and the organization’s website, allowing people to engage with local history beyond its physical campus.

The Society has also begun using an on-site sound studio to record oral histories, creating another way to preserve firsthand accounts of life in the Monadnock Region.

One example of the organization’s willingness to look at local history from an unexpected angle is its current “Zukes No Cukes” exhibit.

On display at the Society’s headquarters through Dec. 31, 2026, the exhibit explores the history of the International Zucchini Festival, a quirky and memorable Monadnock Region event that began in the 1980s as a fundraiser for the Harrisville School.

Through photographs, memorabilia and interactive displays, the exhibit revisits the festival’s humor, creativity and social commentary while giving visitors a glimpse into a distinctive chapter of local history.

Admission to the exhibit is $5. Historical Society members and visitors under 20 are admitted free.

A Community Partnership

The Historical Society of Cheshire County is being highlighted through My Keene Now’s Community Partner initiative, which connects local businesses with nonprofit organizations working throughout the community.

The initiative is part of My Keene Now’s effort to remain a free source of local news while giving area businesses an opportunity to support organizations and causes that matter to the region.

As a Community Partner, a business helps support My Keene Now’s free community-news mission while its partnership is recognized through promotional and digital content. Monthly articles such as this one provide an opportunity to introduce readers to the work being done by local nonprofits and the people behind it.

For the Historical Society, that work is ultimately about keeping Cheshire County’s stories accessible — and making sure those stories continue to have a place in the community.

More information about the Historical Society of Cheshire County, its collections, programs, exhibits and preservation efforts is available at hsccnh.org.

The Historical Society of Cheshire County is located at 246 Main St. in Keene. For information about supporting the Historical Society, specifically the Wyman Tavern carriage shed preservation project, contact Eric V. Weisenberger at eweisenberger@hsccnh.org or 603-352-1895.