Mission
Windows on Hollis is a centralized collection of historical & cultural information gathered and sponsored by the Town of Hollis; it is a link to all historical collections of the Town. Here we offer views of ‘rural character’ for our children and ourselves seen through old and new maps, photos and stories, and we provide links for conservation and preservation. Hollis is rare and fortunate in crowded Southern New Hampshire with its open space and working farms. The Town has worked long and hard to conserve much of its past and rural atmosphere despite the competition of world markets with local agriculture, pressures of the region’s thriving economy and nearby Boston's urban sprawl. Here we survey what we have in history, architecture, scenery, and people so that we may continue to conserve.

Today's children may think food and clothing comes direct from stores. Here we offer knowledge of a disappearing farm life: 24 hours a day 7 days a week where chores were essential, toys few; responsibility came early but with some greater freedoms than now. We hope as the collection grows to show the reality of life in a small rural town in the last century with its wonders, which were many, and the hard work that was required to create a good life.


Credits

Project Coordinator:
Van Eresian

Web Design, Interface Design, and production:
www.funkyvision.com

Web Design and production:

Robin Loveland, Hollis Consulting

Interactive Maps:

John Vogl, Nashua Regional Planning Commission and Robin Loveland, Hollis.

Additional web production:

Van Eresian and John Vogl

Praise goes to:
DAR, HHC, HDC, Historical Society, Town Staff, Selectmen
Volunteers of all ages & expertise - in themselves Hollis cultural treasures
Property owners who have maintained and cared for Hollis’ architectural and scenic treasure.

Grant:
In 1999 the Town of Hollis, NH was awarded a 3 stage - 3 year Certified Local Government 60%-40% matching grant: "Technology Applied to Historic Survey”. The purpose was to make a survey of the historic and cultural treasures of the Town using technology to digitize the results to provide easier access by creating a web site for Townspeople. Previously scattered material was gathered in one spot. The project, unique in NH was seen as a model for making an inventory of treasures of a rural community and its vernacular architecture and providing interactive access.

A new, more accurate map was created: Mapping of locations of historic buildings and sites was done using global positioning (GPS) for accuracy. Radio beams bounced off satellites were received at the exact location of a cellar hole to record longitude and latitude. Priority of locations to be mapped was determined by the Hollis Heritage Commission (using the 1951Cudworth Map and the DAR text). Every effort was made to protect privacy. Properties were identified on the map by number not street address or owner name. No property was shown without written consent of the owner. Many lent old family photos be scanned. The Historical Society lent others.

The new digitized map was made interactive and links to written history and photographs were created. Addition of other material was outlined. The project was funded by the Town with volunteer labor and the US Department of the Interior, (USDI) Park Service, through the NH Division of Historic Resources (NHDHR), however, the opinions here do not necessarily reflect those of NHDHR or USDI or of any one individual or Commission. The town is grateful for the support of these two groups.

While this was happening a separate grant hired a professional historian to document the historic district. Lisa Mausolf was hired to do this for the HDC. The HDC has allowed their map and documentation to be included in the form in which they were done, having gotten permission from owners. That project resulted in the placement of the Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

GIS Field Coordinator:
Gerry Haley

Window Frame property of:
John Butler


Written history:
1953 by Anna Keyes Powers Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
(Because the histories of buildings are the 1953 DAR text*, most townspeople will notice a need for information from the past 50 years and may also find errors.  Written additions (preferably typed and in MSWord), corrections and associated legends and stories are welcome for consideration if the source and a contact number are given.  Submissions may be sent by email to Windows on Hollis Past or left on disc at Town Hall. JPEG photos and narrative tapes are also welcome. Hard copy is being kept, and permission will be asked from owners for material regarding their property to be on the web

.*The 3 copies of the original 1953 text at the library, Historical Society, and Town Hall have each had additions and corrections. There is need for future volunteer help to coordinate these versions. )

Cudworth Map:
The DAR #s are keyed to the Cudworth map 1951.


Contact Us
Hollis Town Hall, 7 Monument Square, Hollis, NH 03049
603-465-2209