History

Data@Museums

The Historical Society of Chesire County

The Historical Society of Cheshire County used population
and agriculture census records to tell the story of farming
and farm families in southwest New Hampshire.

Photo courtesy of The Historical Society of Cheshire County

The Historical Society of Cheshire County in Keene, NH, created an exhibit to tell the story of agriculture in southwest New Hampshire from the time of Native American habitation to the present. Topics included Native American farming and subsistence farms, the sheep craze and cash crops, dairy and poultry farming, agricultural fairs, the region's agricultural decline and the more recent emergence of organic farming and farmers’ markets. To tell the story of New Hampshire's farms and farmers, the society used records from the census of agriculture. The society also used population census schedules to research specific farm families and towns in the region to enhance the stories the exhibit shared with visitors.

To learn more about agriculture in southwest New Hampshire visit the Historical Society of Cheshire County.