Hopkinton Historical Society

The Hopkinton Historical Society is grateful for the generous support of our members and the broader community. Thanks to the contributions of NH Gives donors, we look forward to a new year filled with engaging programs and exhibits that celebrate our town’s rich history and foster a deeper understanding of the people who have shaped—and continue to shape—our community.

Your donation will be sincerely appreciated and will help us continue our mission of preserving, sharing, and promoting the history of our town for current and future generations.

Below are just a few examples of the projects and initiatives currently underway.

Exhibits

The Society features at least one new exhibit with original research annually.  The Society’s 2026 exhibit is "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: Hopkinton and the American Revolution".  The exhibit will look at how the American Revolution transformed everyday life in Hopkinton, revealing how ordinary people experienced, shaped, and remembered the struggle for independence.  The exhibit opens on June 18 and will remain up through December. The Society also has planned a number of programs to go along with the exhibit.

Community Engagement

Much has been learned since the beginning of our partnership with the Abenaki Trails Project in August 2020.  Its 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 were able to continue with the travelling exhibit in 2025 and 2026

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 six 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 30 readers typically participate in 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.