How The Sheep Boom Changed New Hampshire’s Landscape:
Steve Taylor at Gilmanton Historical Society August 25th

Steve Taylor talks about sheep farming in 19th century New Hampshire at the Gilmanton Historical Society on August 25th.

Former Agriculture Commissioner Steve Taylor will come to  the Gilmanton Historical Society on Tuesday, August 25th, with a talk on The Great New Hampshire Sheep Boom.  The program begins at 7:30 pm  at the Gilmanton Academy building in Gilmanton Corners.

In a brief 30-year period in the early 19th century the New Hampshire countryside became home to large flocks of sheep.  Production of wool became a lucrative business, generating fortunes and providing the only era of true agricultural prosperity in the State’s history.  It left behind a legacy of fine architecture and thousands of miles of rugged stone walls.  Farmers overcame enormous challenges to make sheep husbandry succeed, but forces from beyond NH were to doom the industry, with social consequences that would last a century.

The final program in the Gilmanton Historical Society summer series, on September 22nd at the Old Town Hall, is Before Peyton Place: In Search of the Real Grace Metalious.   Robert Perreault introduces us to the young Grace De Repentigny Metalious, revealing a side of the author that has remained largely unknown to the general public.

All programs are free and open to the public; donations are gratefully accepted. Refreshments and social hour begin at 7 p.m., with the program beginning promptly at 7:30.