Granted by the Masonian Proprietors in 1749, as Cocheco Township, the town of New Durham was settled in 1750, almost entirely by colonists from Durham, from which it took its current name upon its incorporation inn 1762. Because of its rocky and uneven surface, the land was better suited for grazing than cultivation. Lumber was an early contributor to its economy and, by 1859, New Durham had five sawmills, four shingle mills, two gristmills, and a gunpowder factory known as Eureka Powder Works. In 1780, the Reverend Benjamin Randall founded the Free Will Baptists, as a new Christian denomination, in New Durham, New Hampshire. Located in Strafford County, New Durham is drained by the Merrymeeting, Ela, and Cocheca rivers, and is home to Merrymeeting Lake, the Lion’s Club Camp Pride, and the Powder Mill Fish Hatchery. New Durham is southeast of Alton and northeast of Farmington.
Recommended Resources
Offering a traditional summer camp experience, with two-, four-, or six-week stays, Camp Birch Hill, in New Durham, New Hampshire, serves boys and girls from six to sixteen. Its history and an overview of the camp, its activities, rates, and a photo gallery are featured. A blog and an online shopping area are included.
http://www.campbirchhill.com/
First Free Will Baptist Church
Established by the Rev. Benjamin Randall in 1780, after his return from the Revolutionary War, the New Durham, New Hampshire congregation was the first Free Will Baptist Church. Its history, beliefs, and a calendar of events are published, along with photographs and leadership contacts.
http://www.newdurhamchurch.com/
Established in 1994, the company, based in New Durham, New Hampshire, has done work from Maine to Massachusetts, particularly wall and walkway construction, although it continues to provide such services as snow removal and excavation. Its services, current projects, and contacts are featured.
http://www.hamiltonlandscaping.net/
Highlighting a private, 18-hole golf course in New Durham, New Hampshire, its membership policies and benefits, as well as the course and facilities, are described, along with golf outings, directions, and employment opportunities.
http://www.lwgcnh.com/
Situated on fifty-five acres in New Durham, New Hampshire, the Christian camp offers year-round programs that include the traditional Christian summer camp programs, as well as father-son, father-daughter, mother-daughter, and whole family retreats, and other programs. Its history, programs, schedules, and travel directions are presented.
http://www.maranathafamilyministries.org/
With more than eleven thousand items in its collection, the library is located across the street from the New Durham, New Hampshire town hall. Its days and hours of operation, calendar of upcoming events, and contacts are posted, and its catalog may be accessed online, as well as downloadable books and other resources.
http://www.newdurhamlibrary.org/
General information about the club, membership policies and benefits, meeting agendas and minutes, bylaws, and a discussion area are feature, along with trail conditions, sponsorships, and contacts.
http://www.newdurhamvalleyatvclub.com/
The official website of the town offers a town calendar, contacts for its administrative and departmental offices, boards and committees. Meeting agendas and minutes are published, and a guide to area facilities and services are posted. Public notices are posted to the site.
http://www.newdurhamnh.us/
Based in New Durham, New Hampshire, the organization serves to promote the sport of snowmobiling, grooming and maintaining about eighty miles of trails in Strafford, Carroll, and Belknap counties, as well as areas of New Durham, Middleton, Union, Farmington, and the surrounding areas. Membership information, trail conditions, and contacts are featured.
http://www.powdermillsnowmobileclub.org/
