|
Washington, New Hampshire is a scenic small town in southwestern New Hampshire, with a scattered population of less than 1000. (It is not near
Mt. Washington, the state's highest mountain, which is located 100 miles north among the
White Mountains.) Washington was settled in 1768 and on December 13, 1776 was incorporated as a town, taking the name of a soon-to-be-famous southern general.
Washington has always been a very rural place, and the landscape is hilly, rugged, rocky, forested -- and lovely. By 1840 the town had two hundred farms and a population of over 1100. Then, like many rural New England towns, it experienced a long decline, as people moved to the cities for employment and to the Mid-West for serious farming. By 1960 the population was down to near 200. In recent decades the population has been increasing (2nd fastest growth in NH by the 2000 US Census), colonial homes have been restored, and the town appears to be prosperous; there is now a richly varied and growing mix of professional, working and retired people. The town has no major industry, but many folks travel to
Hillsboro (14 miles) and beyond for their daily employment. Washington is rich in lakes and ponds and there are a number of settlements and developments on their shores.
There are two small villages within the town's borders: East Washington, a cluster of fifteen or so houses along a brook with many old mill sites; and Washington Center, a bit larger and situated on Route 31, midway between the larger towns of Hillsboro and Newport. The Town Common in Washington Center is famous for its handsome arrangement of white civic buildings, including its classic Town Hall (1787).
Washington is governed, as it has been for more than two hundred years, by a three-person board of
Selectmen, the town's executive officers. The legislative authority of the town, and the agent for levying and appropriating tax funds, is the town meeting, held annually in March. For a synopsis of general town information, please go to the
General Information
Page.
The Elementary School, the
Police Department, the
Fire Department, and the Congregational Church are leaders among the many local organizations that contribute valuably to the life of the town. Several books on the history of Washington are available, and there is also an active
Washington Historical Society. A much more detailed review of the Town's history and environment can be found on the
History and Environment page. We also maintain a pictoral inventory and commentary of our very
Historic Town Buildings.
To get to
Washington from the Concord, NH. area, take exit 5 off of I-89 and travel
west on Rt. 9 until Rt. 31 north at the
Franklin
Pierce Homestead. From the Keene area take Rt. 9 east to Rt. 31 north.
From the northern part of Sullivan County take Rt. 10 south to Rt. 31south
in Goshen. Would you like to get directions to specific roads in Town (and
the 5 in Stoddard you can only get to from Washington)?
There are many activities that occur in our Town. There are regular
meetings of the various commissions and boards of the Town, church
services and special events and school activities. Camp Morgan Lodge
with it's large meeting room and kitchen facility is rented for Town
agencies and private organizations. You can have a business meeting or
wedding reception at the Lodge. Contact the Board of Selectmen for more
information about using Camp Morgan Lodge.
There are many events happening in Town, and we are fortunate to have a
plethora of amateur photographers. Check the page of Town
Pictures to view some of their work. You can also look
at some of the wildlife that makes Washington home too.
Of course, Towns need to have rules and ordinances to make them run
safely and efficiently. New ordinances, Land Use Ordinance, and other
forms and documents needed to make the Town run will be listed on the site on the
Town Documents page. |
