Restoration Celebration
The Hollis Historical Society held an open house at the recently restored Whiting/Poole/Hackett House at 19 Main Street, Hollis, New Hampshire, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on October 19, 2013. This was a benefit for the Hollis Historical Society Capital Fund to maintain the Society’s museums. Nine rooms were open for the tour and visitors were able to view, at their leisure, the extensive renovation work completed after November, 2008, when a boiler explosion in the basement damaged much of the main floor. The lovely interiors and antique furnishings have been meticulously maintained by the current owners. Docents were available throughout the house to describe the two-story, hip-roofed, Georgian style dwelling and answer questions as wasl the general contractor who oversaw the restoration.
The house was constructed in 1771 for Benjamin Whiting, High Sheriff of Hillsborough County in the Province of New Hampshire. Whiting lived here only a short time, leaving the state in 1776 owing to the unpopularity of the laws he was required to enforce by order of the British Crown. The property was sold to William Poole of Boston in 1875 as a residence for his parents, Benjamin Poole and Rebecca Eastman Poole, beginning over 125 years of ownership by the same family.
The Hollis Historical Society, a self-sustaining non-profit, is the primary organization in Hollis that collects artifacts, books, and documents that reflect the entire history of the town, including a fascinating array of artifacts and documents from every chronological period.
The Society’s two museums include the Ruth Hills Wheeler House at 20 Main Street which Mrs. Wheeler bequeathed to the Society in 1979, and which houses much of the Society’s collections, and the nearby Always Ready Engine House Museum. The Engine House, now leased from the Town, was built in 1859 to house the Town fire pump. The building has now been restored as a museum for the pumper, the Town Hearse, and other special exhibits. In 1993, the Lucie Beebe Garden, located behind the Wheeler House, was dedicated. This lovely garden is maintained by the Colonial Garden Club of Hollis.
The grounds of the Hackett House were also available to tour and enjoy. Wine, cider, and refreshments were served, and music was playing in both the house and the adjacent barn. Parking was available in an adjoining lot.
The house was constructed in 1771 for Benjamin Whiting, High Sheriff of Hillsborough County in the Province of New Hampshire. Whiting lived here only a short time, leaving the state in 1776 owing to the unpopularity of the laws he was required to enforce by order of the British Crown. The property was sold to William Poole of Boston in 1875 as a residence for his parents, Benjamin Poole and Rebecca Eastman Poole, beginning over 125 years of ownership by the same family.
The Hollis Historical Society, a self-sustaining non-profit, is the primary organization in Hollis that collects artifacts, books, and documents that reflect the entire history of the town, including a fascinating array of artifacts and documents from every chronological period.
The Society’s two museums include the Ruth Hills Wheeler House at 20 Main Street which Mrs. Wheeler bequeathed to the Society in 1979, and which houses much of the Society’s collections, and the nearby Always Ready Engine House Museum. The Engine House, now leased from the Town, was built in 1859 to house the Town fire pump. The building has now been restored as a museum for the pumper, the Town Hearse, and other special exhibits. In 1993, the Lucie Beebe Garden, located behind the Wheeler House, was dedicated. This lovely garden is maintained by the Colonial Garden Club of Hollis.
The grounds of the Hackett House were also available to tour and enjoy. Wine, cider, and refreshments were served, and music was playing in both the house and the adjacent barn. Parking was available in an adjoining lot.