Two N.H. Communities Honored for Protecting Their Heritage
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 – Hooksett and Keene were among 28 communities across the United States recognized at a ceremony here Wednesday for their dedication to protecting and celebrating their heritage.
“I have had the opportunity to visit Hooksett many times and see the progress the town has made in restoring several of its historic structures,” Rep. Jeb Bradley said in a press release. “I commend [Hooksett] for its tireless efforts to promote historic preservation and economic development. The town is truly deserving of this honor, and I congratulate them on a job well done.”
Bradley accepted the awards on behalf of both towns at the ceremony.
“Together I think we’ve made some good progress,” said Kathleen Northrup, the chairwoman of Hooksett’s Heritage Commission, in a telephone interview Wednesday. “[Hooksett] has changed a lot since I was younger, but it still has a nice personality.”
Northrup completed the application for the town that was submitted to Preserve America, a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve local historical resources.
In addition to the Heritage Commission’s oral history project and its efforts to refurbish Head Chapel, the town’s first one-room, schoolhouse, Northrup said the dedication of the many volunteers who run Robie’s Country Store Historic Preservation Corporation aided the city in earning this honor.
The awards, presented by Preserve America in conjunction with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the U.S. Department of the Interior, make the towns eligible for project grants that involve public-private partnerships and advance historic preservation, heritage tourism and education and related economic development.
“The city of Keene is steeped in history and tradition and has worked hard to preserve their many historic properties and to promote their treasured heritage,” Rep. Charles Bass said in a press release. “Their successful designation as a Preserve America community will enhance the city’s ability to promote their unique assets for the betterment of local businesses and community members.”
In addition to grant eligibility, White House recognition and a recognition certificate, each town will also receive a Preserve America community road sign.
Anita McBride, deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff to Laura Bush, spoke at the ceremony on behalf of Mrs. Bush, the honorary chairwoman of Preserve America.
“Preservation is about revitalizing the spirit of a community,” McBride said, adding that Mrs. Bush has long been a supporter of historic preservation because it has its roots in educating others.
Jeananne Farrar, chair of the Keene Heritage Commission, who completed the Preserve America application on behalf of the city, called the distinction a great honor and said she is exploring whether or not Keene will apply for grants this year.
In addition to the city’s museums, historic landmarks and volunteerism, Farrar said, Keene’s public school curriculum, which brings heritage preservation education into the schools at all grade levels, also played an important role in the application process and subsequent recognition.
“There’s a lot of good stuff going on here,” she said. “I was thrilled that we had been asked to apply and that we received this designation and I’m sure that the city of Keene will be equally pleased.”
Farrar has lived in Keene for almost 70 years.
“If you have wonderful memories of your hometown it’s pretty easy to sing its praises,” she said. “I do think we have a particularly wonderful sense of community and a great quality of life.”
