(May 3, 2005 – Weirs, NH) Take a tour around Lake
Winnipesaukee at a new exhibit at The Lake Winnipesaukee
Historical Society Museum in the Weirs.
Added to the many historic photographs and interesting
memorabilia already in the Museum collection, over 100 vintage
and historic postcards have been selected from the nearly
1,000 collected over the past 20 years by LWHS. Reproduced
and enlarged on acid-free paper, then framed under glass,
the collection has been arranged by town so that visitors
can experience the heritage and history of Lake Winnipesaukee
and its surrounding communities throughout the renovated
1930 farmhouse.
Your self-guided tour begins with Alton Bay and proceeds
around the lake to Wolfeboro, Melvin Village and Moultonboro.
You may then “travel” on to Center Harbor, Meredith,
Weirs Beach and Laconia, with stops along the way through
Gilford and Glendale.
Historic photographs and models of famous old steamboats
on the lake are included in this exhibit, as well as historic
maps of the lake itself. Posters and photographs of grand
hotels, such as the Winnipesoegee House in Alton Bay and
the New Hotel Weirs in Weirs Beach, are also featured.
Artifacts recovered from the bottom of the lake during
scuba diving expeditions are on permanent exhibit, including
the anchor and window frame from the Dago. A barge owned
by Goodhue & Hawkins of Wolfeboro, the Dago was being
used as a judge’s stand for the 4th of July boat races
in 1913 when it was hit by a tornado and sunk. An historic
photograph, courtesy of John Goodhue, shows the Dago in
its former glory.
Another one of the interesting items you’ll see at
the Museum is the front davit from the old Mount Washington
Steamer which burned and sank to the bottom of the Lake
in 1939. A crane-like device used to hoist or lower cargo
on or off the boat deck, the davit now serves as the welcome
sign as you enter the Museum.
Other artifacts and interesting memorabilia range from
authentic local Native American arrowheads to posters of
the Big Bands that played at Winnipesaukee Gardens. Educational
facts and interesting trivia are noted throughout the exhibit
and staff is on hand to answer any additional questions
you may have.
“I encourage anyone who would like to share their
personal history or who has memorabilia they’d like
to loan to the Museum to contact me,” stated Ann Sprague,
executive director. “We’re always looking for
additional items to keep the Museum fresh and alive for
our many visitors.”
The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society was established
in 1985 to promote and preserve the history of Lake Winnipesaukee
and its surrounding communities. Located directly on Route
3 in the Weirs just south of Funspot, the Museum is open
Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and
admission is free. For further information, please contact info@lwhs.us,
603.366.5776, or visit their web site at www.lwhs.us.
