The small town of Nelson, in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, includes the unincorporated village of Munsonville. The town was granted by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth in 1752, and originally named Monadnock Number 6. The area was first settled in 1767 by Breed Batchelder and Dr. Nathaniel Breed, and incorporated by Governor John Wentworth in 1774 as Packersfield, for Thomas Packer, sheriff at Portsmouth and a major proprietor. In 1814, the town’s name was changed to Nelson, for Horatio Nelson, British admiral and naval hero. Nelson grew up on the rise of land separating the watersheds of the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers, and its rocky terrain was a deterrent to settlement. Today, Nelson has no stores, and mostly just cottage industry, but it has attracted writers, artists, musicians, and craftsmen.
Recommended Resources
Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music
Based in Nelson, New Hampshire, the musicians and staff of Apple Hill create, perform, and teach chamber music. Its music workshops, performance schedules, press information, and an online shopping area are featured.
http://www.applehill.org/
Headquartered in Nelson, Moving in Step is a community project joining the towns of Nelson and Munsonville, expanding the leadership and volunteer pools of both communities while performing projects for good of the community. Its board of directors, activities and outreach committee, trails, regionalization, and public spaces commitees are featured, along with its annual report.
http://www.movinginstep.org/
Located on Granite Lake Road, and part of SAU #29, the Nelson, New Hampshire school serves students in grades kindergarten through the sixth grade. The school curriculum is featured, along with a profile of the school, a faculty and staff directory, its PTO, school board, and announcements.
http://www.nelson.k12.nh.us/
Playing on town commons, church lawns, and parades throughout the Monadnock Region of southern New Hampshire, the band is comprised of musicians of all ages from the town of Nelson, New Hampshire, and surrounding towns. Its history, information on joining, and information on bookings are available.
http://nelsontownband.org/
Contacts within the town offices, departments, and library are posted on the official municipal site, along with meeting agendas and minutes, a calendar of events, public notices, and a history of the town. Property taxes may be reviewed and paid online.
http://www.townofnelson.com/
