Hopkinton Historical Society

Hopkinton Historical Society is grateful for the support of our
members and community.  With the support of NH Gives donors, we are
looking forward to a new year with new programs and exhibits that highlight our
town’s history and offer a deeper understanding of the people who call our town
home.  Your donations will be gratefully received and will help us
continue with our mission to preserve and share the history of our town. 
Below are just a few examples of our current projects.

Exhibits

The
Society features at least one new exhibit with original research
annually.  The Society’s 2025 exhibit is "Thank You Hopkinton: Celebrating a Tradition of Care and Kindness" and is guest-curated by Trustee Sienna Larson.  Included in the exhibit and more than 100 stories of care and kindness submitted by community members.  The exhibit opens on June 14 and will remain up
through December.  

Community Engagement

Much has been learned since the beginning of our partnership with the
Abenaki Trails Project in August 2020.  Their goal is to help educate the
general public and share a cultural exchange with the Abenaki people past and
present.  Through a grant from the NH State Council on the Arts, the
Society has created a travelling exhibit of our 2021 exhibit which was on
display at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture and the Hopkinton
Middle High School in 2023.  We successfully applied for another grant in 2024 so that we can continue with the travelling exhibit in 2025.

Award-Winning Productions

Hopkinton Historical Society has produced nine cemetery walks
(theatrical productions) in the past ten years.  The goal has been to
personalize the town’s history by telling the stories of cemetery residents
using first person narrative.  Audience members learn historical facts in
an energized, creative way.  In 2019, the Society was awarded a national
history award from the American Association of State and Local History. In
October 2026, the Cemetery Walk will be at the Old Hopkinton Cemetery.

Educational Programs

Typically twice a year, the Society welcomes Hopkinton’s elementary
school children to the Society to learn about local history.  The visit
includes a discussion of the role of historical societies, an overview of the
current exhibit, an activity tied to the exhibit (i.e., basket making, wool
spinning), Native American history of the area and early town history, and a
discussion of how they can help preserve and share Hopkinton’s
history.  

Public Programs

For the past five years, Hopkinton Historical Society has been honored
to take part in the statewide reading of Frederick Douglass's speech,
"What to the American slave is your the 4th of July?" organized by
the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.  More than 50 attendees and 34
readers typically participate at this event held at Hopkinton Town
Hall.  

Preservation of an Historic Building

The Society, established in 1859,
moved into the beautiful William H. Long Building in 1890.  This gift to
the Society by Long’s wife, Lucia Rollins Long, makes it the oldest
purpose-built museum for a historical Society in the United States.

Who We Are

Founded in 1859, Hopkinton Historical Society offers exhibits, programs and special events throughout the year for its members as well as the general public. The Society also offers genealogical and historical research to the public. With nearly 400 members, it is entirely supported by membership dues and donations.