Upcoming Event
Join us Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, 6 pm, for the 2025 Salisbury Historical Scholarship Ceremony at 655 Old Turnpike Road, Salisbury, NH 03268. We are excited to share our award recipients with everyone.
OBJECTIVES OF THE SALISBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
To promote the interest in, and the understanding of, the history of the town of Salisbury in the State of New Hampshire.
To collect and preserve objects, facts, and information of historical significance to the area, and to make them available to all who wish to examine them.
Salisbury Historical Society Incorporated 1966
ABOUT THE SOCIETY
Just over fifty-eight years ago, the Baptist Meeting House became our headquarters and exhibition space.
Within a short amount of time, a small group of individuals took it upon themselves to arrange for the preservation of the town’s horse-drawn hearse in the adjacent Hearse House. They created a museum with a fine array of historical items and exhibits, such as a reconstruction of a country store and the Salisbury post office.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
We are busy in the many areas listed below. We rely on and welcome volunteers to keep our town’s history alive. Our newest project, The Interactive Map Viewer, launched in early 2025, was created by SHS President Joe Schmidl.
- INTERACTIVE MAP VIEWER Our President, Joe Schmidl, has launched an interactive map for town history lovers. It is a fascinating project that will grow in content, though much information has already been entered to date. We always welcome input.
- TRIVIA CHALLENGE: A monthly online quiz to challenge your knowledge about our town. In addition, all questions and Answers over the years are indexed. We always welcome your ideas and comments on our Facebook page or by contacting us.
- COLLECTING, PRESERVING & DISPLAYING our collection in an archive in our MUSEUM and MEETING HOUSE
- CURATING: Record keeping, displays, care for the collection. Do you have an item of historical significance to our town that you might like to donate or loan?
- ROUND ROBIN Annual June event introducing fourth graders to their town’s history. Shared between Andover, Salisbury & Webster elementary schools. A visit to our Museum, Meeting House & and a Cemetery Walk highlights the day.
- SUMMER DOCENT VOLUNTEERING Our museum is open in the Summer and all day on Old Home Day. Please inquire about times.
- HISTORIC FLAGS PROJECT The display of 17 historical flags from Memorial Day to Veterans Day (May to November) represents a collaborative project between the community and the Historical Society.
- OLD HOME DAY The annual event on the second Saturday of August welcomes the public into our buildings. Docents guide visitors, showcasing particular exhibits. Additionally, a White Elephant sale is held to raise funds for the Society.
- LECTURE SERIES Summer guest speakers and programs. Everyone is invited to these free events.
- SCHOLARSHIP The Annual Salisbury Historical Scholarship, awarded to graduating seniors from Salisbury, NH, is among the most substantial for a non-profit organization of our scale.
- PROPERTY MAINTENANCE There is a never-ending maintenance of our old buildings, property, and trees. Volunteers welcome.
- ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROJECTS We collect and share historical facts and images of our town, foster conversations to spark interest in our local history, and keep the public informed about our activities through our Facebook page, linked at the footer of each page.
- WEBSITE: Our website features more than 80 pages of Salisbury’s historical information. See ‘List of Pages’ in the footer.
- OLD HOUSE PROJECT: Updating our “Old Salisbury Houses” books.
- ORAL HISTORY PROJECT begun by Paul Shaw with the information published in “They Said It In Salisbury” vol. 1 and 2. This project needs volunteers to start up again, as it’s essential to have the words of our elder citizens documented. In this way, we can learn the history of our town from their words and perspectives.
- MAINTAINING AND GUIDING THE SOCIETY Serving on the Board of Directors, holding office positions, and participating in committees is crucial to keeping our Society going.