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 regions 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
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