History & Archaeology

W.H. Titcomb, View near Lee, Wadleigh's Falls, New Hampshire, c. 1860.

Background

Identified human activity along the Lamprey began about 8,000 years ago with a site used seasonally by Native Americans which has been identified and documented by University of New Hampshire archaeologists. European settlers were drawn to the river as an energy source, and mills were located there as early as the 1650’s. Timber, flour, cloth, paper, wallpaper, leatherboard, shoes, and agricultural tools made of iron were manufactured over the years at these mills to supply local and regional needs. The largest mill was the Newmarket Manufacturing Company, founded in 1822, which at one time contained the largest weaving room in the world.

More than 30 historical sites were listed on the Historical Resources Map in the Lamprey River Resource Assessment (1994) with two being designated on the National Register of Historic Places (Wiswall Dam area and 41 buildings in the mill district of Newmarket). Hotels, camps, bridges, railroads, churches, and homesteads are all indicated on the map as well as in several historical publications. The National Park Service’s 1995 Draft Report to Congress cited the archaeological values of the Lamprey as an “outstandingly remarkable” resource value warranting recognition and protection through the Wild and Scenic River designation.

While the Lamprey River Advisory Committee has created a curriculum and a historical fiction book, little has been done to more thoroughly research and teach about significant sites along the river. History is a very important component of a “sense of place”. Understanding the history of the Lamprey River is a necessary part of landowner and public appreciation of the river. It becomes even more important as newcomers settle in the communities along the river.

Accomplishments:

At Wiswall dam, the National Park Service funded restoration of the walls of the original mill race, and the LRAC worked with an Eagle Scout who cleared vegetation from an old mill foundation and erected an interpretive panel about the site’s history.
A documentary video, The Lamprey Through History, was created and distributed. The video describes historic sites and activities for the entire length of the river.
An elementary, middle, and upper school curriculum focused on the Lamprey, including its history, was created and passed along for active use in area schools.
A children’s book entitled The Story of Peter Little Bear, A Lamprey River Adventure, was produced to describe life along the Lamprey through the eyes of Native Americans.

Goal

Continue to research and make accessible to the public the history of the Lamprey River to encourage a deeper appreciation of the river’s sense of place.

Key Future Actions:

Continue to enlist volunteers and secure funding for professional research on the Lamprey’s history and archaeology.
- Identify at least one site in each town to research and document including photographs that can be stored electronically and shared with the National Park Service, NH Division of Historical Resources, the University of New Hampshire, local and state historical societies, and community organizations and schools. Priority projects include:
  - historical resources at Packers Falls including the Lamprey Iron Works
  - the Oxway Road from the McCallen Dam in Newmarket to Wadleigh Falls in Lee.
  - study of the colonial era history and a more complete archaeological study of the Native American site near Wadleigh Falls.
Identify, evaluate, and help to protect publicly and privately owned land with high historic or archaeological value.
Protect historic and archaeological resources on a site-specific basis, with techniques ranging from acquisition to protection from human impacts.
- Include protection of historical/archeological resources appropriately in land protection projects of the LRAC.
- Work with property owners to promote follow-up investigation of artifacts or historical features which they have discovered, and promote stewardship of these features.
- Utilize permit review responsibilities to encourage protection of known or suspected sites.
Provide for permanent protection of irreplaceable historical documents pertaining to the river.
- Assist communities in retaining historical information locally with archival copies at the NH State Library or other appropriate repositories.
Use historical and archaeological information to promote “a sense of place” among residents of the four towns and the watershed.
- Partner with local and state organizations to produce materials such as historical markers at important sites such as Wadleigh Falls and Highland House.
- Complete Wiswall Park, developing a trail system and a kiosk whose contents showcase the historical and ecological importance of the site.
- Continue efforts to inform educators and provide materials for them to use with their students.
- Use media when appropriate to inform the public of interesting and important historical/archeological information that promotes appreciation of the river.