Dana Meeting House
a.k.a. First Free Will Baptist Meeting House
Dana Hill Rd., New Hampton, NHThe Dana Meeting House is significant architecturally as the best surviving onestory early meetinghouse in New Hampshire. The well-preserved meetinghouse is also notable for the simple dignity of its exterior and the fine craftsmanship of its interior, particularly the pews and the pulpit.
The First Free Will Baptist Church in New Hampton was organized in January of 1800. The Free Will Baptists at first met in the homes of church members but soon decided to build a meetinghouse. Construction of the Dana Meeting House is said to have begun in the fall of 1800. But the first mention of the building in the church records appears in April of 1802 when Josiah Magoon, Abraham and Nathaniel Drake were appointed a committee "to take the oversight in building the meeting house". In July, Jeremiah Marston sold the present lot to the Free Will Baptists for ten dollars. The deed refers to the meetinghouse as already standing and uses as the boundary the semicircular stone wall that had already been built by the Baptists around the building. At the August church meeting, the meetinghouse was discussed and it was concluded to bring forward the materials as soon as possible". In October, when the subject of the meetinghouse was again taken up, "the Brethren pretty freely offered materials and concluded to try to cover it this fall".3 These scanty references are virtually all that is known about the construction of the building. We are not able to identify either the designer or the builders. But the church records do tell us when the building was completed. On December 8, 1802, the Free Will Baptists met at Abraham Drake's barn, "then repaired to the new Meeting House" 4 for worship and the ordination of two elders and two deacons, including Elder Simeon Dana (1775-1853), the physician-minister whose long association with the meetinghouse gave the building its current name.
The meetinghouse was originally furnished with crude benches. In 1810, it was decided to complete the interior and sell the pews at auction. Stephen S. Magoon, a local cabinet maker and the son of Elder Josiah Magoon, agreed to finish the interior and build the box Pews for $300. When the builder presented his accounts in September of 1810, he had exceeded the agreed cost by only 55 cents. Stephen Magoon's craftsmanship is responsible for much of the meetinghouse's present interest and charm.
The Dana Meeting House was saved from the usual 19th-century modernization by the decline of its congregation. Originally, the meetinghouse served the Free Will Baptists of a large area, encompassing five towns. But during the early and mid 19th century, independent churches were organized in the neighborhoods and the villages of this area.
Local significance of the building:
The First Free Will Baptist Church in New Hampton was organized in January of 1800. The Free Will Baptists at first met in the homes of church members but soon decided to build a meetinghouse. Construction of the Dana Meeting House is said to have begun in the fall of 1800. But the first mention of the building in the church records appears in April of 1802 when Josiah Magoon, Abraham and Nathaniel Drake were appointed a committee "to take the oversight in building the meeting house". In July, Jeremiah Marston sold the present lot to the Free Will Baptists for ten dollars. The deed refers to the meetinghouse as already standing and uses as the boundary the semicircular stone wall that had already been built by the Baptists around the building. At the August church meeting, the meetinghouse was discussed and it was concluded to bring forward the materials as soon as possible". In October, when the subject of the meetinghouse was again taken up, "the Brethren pretty freely offered materials and concluded to try to cover it this fall".3 These scanty references are virtually all that is known about the construction of the building. We are not able to identify either the designer or the builders. But the church records do tell us when the building was completed. On December 8, 1802, the Free Will Baptists met at Abraham Drake's barn, "then repaired to the new Meeting House" 4 for worship and the ordination of two elders and two deacons, including Elder Simeon Dana (1775-1853), the physician-minister whose long association with the meetinghouse gave the building its current name.
The meetinghouse was originally furnished with crude benches. In 1810, it was decided to complete the interior and sell the pews at auction. Stephen S. Magoon, a local cabinet maker and the son of Elder Josiah Magoon, agreed to finish the interior and build the box Pews for $300. When the builder presented his accounts in September of 1810, he had exceeded the agreed cost by only 55 cents. Stephen Magoon's craftsmanship is responsible for much of the meetinghouse's present interest and charm.
The Dana Meeting House was saved from the usual 19th-century modernization by the decline of its congregation. Originally, the meetinghouse served the Free Will Baptists of a large area, encompassing five towns. But during the early and mid 19th century, independent churches were organized in the neighborhoods and the villages of this area.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first American to receive a patent was New Hampshire resident Samuel Hopkins, who patented a new method of making potash in 1790.
About Belknap County
Belknap County Timeline
Belknap County, located in the state of New Hampshire, has a rich history that dates back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Abenaki Native American tribe before European settlers arrived in the 17th century. It was named after Jeremy Belknap, a prominent clergyman and historian of that time.
In the early years, Belknap County was primarily a farming community with settlements spread across the region. The area experienced some level of conflict during the French and Indian War in the mid-18th century, as well as during the American Revolutionary War. However, it remained a relatively remote and undeveloped area until the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century.
The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century transformed Belknap County, opening up new opportunities for trade and commerce. The county saw a significant increase in tourism as people from nearby cities began visiting the lakes and mountains in the region, attracted by its natural beauty. This led to the development of resorts and hotels, further boosting the local economy.
Belknap County continued to grow and evolve into the 20th century. The county became an important center for manufacturing, with industries such as textiles, paper mills, and shoe manufacturing playing a significant role in the local economy. Over time, the county also expanded its educational and cultural institutions, establishing schools, libraries, and museums to serve the growing population.
Today, Belknap County remains a thriving part of New Hampshire, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and thriving communities. While agriculture and manufacturing have seen decline, the county has diversified its economy to include sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and service industries. Belknap County continues to honor its history while embracing modern development, ensuring a bright future for its residents and visitors.
In the early years, Belknap County was primarily a farming community with settlements spread across the region. The area experienced some level of conflict during the French and Indian War in the mid-18th century, as well as during the American Revolutionary War. However, it remained a relatively remote and undeveloped area until the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century.
The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century transformed Belknap County, opening up new opportunities for trade and commerce. The county saw a significant increase in tourism as people from nearby cities began visiting the lakes and mountains in the region, attracted by its natural beauty. This led to the development of resorts and hotels, further boosting the local economy.
Belknap County continued to grow and evolve into the 20th century. The county became an important center for manufacturing, with industries such as textiles, paper mills, and shoe manufacturing playing a significant role in the local economy. Over time, the county also expanded its educational and cultural institutions, establishing schools, libraries, and museums to serve the growing population.
Today, Belknap County remains a thriving part of New Hampshire, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and thriving communities. While agriculture and manufacturing have seen decline, the county has diversified its economy to include sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and service industries. Belknap County continues to honor its history while embracing modern development, ensuring a bright future for its residents and visitors.
Belknap County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Belknap County, New Hampshire.
- 1790: Belknap County was established on December 22, 1790.
- 1823: The first county courthouse was built in Meredith.
- 1840: Laconia, the largest city in the county, was incorporated on February 23, 1840.
- 1842: The Belknap County complex, including the current courthouse, was completed in 1842.
- 1855: The railroad arrived in Belknap County, contributing to its economic growth.
- 1868: The Laconia Car Company, a major employer, was founded in Laconia.
- 1973: The Gunstock Mountain Resort opened in Gilford.
- 1995: The Belknap Mill, the oldest unaltered brick textile mill in the United States, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.