Tamworth, NH - “New England as it was when it was New” The Barnstormers--the oldest professional summer theater in the country.
Tamworth began with the granting of a charter from George the Third of England to the town in the name of
Many of the newcomers originally came as tourists
Benning Wentworth in 1766.
to enjoy the scenic beauty and outdoor activities. Later
By 1790 there were 47 heads of families in Tamworth;
many chose to stay on as second home owners or per-
126 by 1800. Parson Samuel Hidden was ordained here
manent residents. Perhaps
in 1792 and led the town for nearly fifty years. The hardy people of Tamworth, sustained, by strong
the most famous was PresiEverything in one store.
dent Grover Cleveland,
religious faith, able to survive through the smallpox epidemic of 1813;
whose son Francis Cleveland founded The Barn-
the “cold years” and famines of 1815, ’16,
stormers Theatre with his wife Alice in 1931. -
and ’17; the “siege of the wolves” on Great
the oldest professional summer theater in the
Hill in 1820; and the year 1827, when it
country. Gorver’s home is just up the street from
snowed in every month.
Fleetwood Farm.
As soon as the first farms were
the 1700s, it is no surprise that Tamworth is still known
and turning mills proliferated in
today for its artistic, literary and religious organiza-
every part of town. Houses,
tions. The town currently boasts two public libraries,
churches, and schools were built
an art gallery, the Arts Council of Tamworth, the Tam-
of South Tamworth, Whittier
Cook Library, 1895
Chocorua, Wonalancet and Tamworth. In-
worth Historical Society, the Tamworth Foundation, six churches, The Barnstormers, and many resident au-
thors, poets and artists. Tamworth is a town that stands still in time, yet
dustry and inventiveness flourished. Loggers, blacksmiths, millers, shoe-
still has an active rich history still moving
makers, storekeepers, furniture- and barrel-makers plied their trades.
forward. Professional plays are still being
Nearly all were farmers too.
performed, It is a town where you can have
Tamworth and surrounding towns gained an economic base from the
a home cooked meal at The Other Store sur-
surrounding beauty of the spectacular mountains and valleys, lakes and
rounded by everything you would find in a
rivers, fields and forests that New Hampshire is still known for. To supply
general store from hardware, fishing lures,
the growing number of visitors with places to stay and food,
kids toys magazines and fish-
the farmers and their wives opened their homes to summer
ing poles. Tamworth is New
boarders. In the 1870s, the Blaisdales charged up to 12
England like it was when it was
quests at $1 per day or $5 for a week at the Fleetwood Farm
“New”. Its charm and natural
(then called the “Fairview”)
beauty never gets old.
©2014, Michael Travis,
Historic Lyceum
established, saw mills, shingle mills,
close to them, forming the villages Vintage Tamworth, NH
With this cultural roots in
Tamworth, NH • Contains 60.7 square miles • Elevation” 542 feet • Incorporated 1766 • Includes the towns of Chocorua, South Tamworth, Wonalancet • Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm • The Barnstormer • The Lyceum • Cook Library • The Other Store