New Hampshire

Walking Tour of Exeter, New Hampshire | Then and Now

A “then and now” look at the charming and historic town of Exeter, New Hampshire.

By Brenda Darroch

Jan 06 2016

Exeter-New-Hampshire-og

A mere 30 miles from Manchester, the small town of Exeter, New Hampshire, has always been prized for its location. The freshwater Exeter River, tumbling into the brackish waters of the Squamscott, drew English settlers interested in harnessing that power for mills, and when Reverend John Wheelwright brokered a deal with the native Squamscott people in 1638, the town was established. Today this vibrant community is home to the American Independence Museum, Phillips Exeter Academy, and an abundance of historic architecture that stretches back to the 19th century.

Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

Unexpectedly finding ourselves with a free afternoon, Jim and I decided to spend a few hours visiting some of Exeter’s most notable sites. Armed with a walking tour brochure and map from the Exeter Historical Society, we studied the grand architecture that lines up along Front and Water Streets. As luck would have it, the Historical Society was open when we strolled past, and the friendly folks there graciously pulled out their archival collection of images and allowed me to photograph them for this “then and now” tour of Exeter. (Unfortunately, I did not note the dates the original photographs were taken.)

Note: Walking tour stops noted in parentheses.

1. Constructed in 1855, the Town Hall (1) served as both a courthouse and town hall. A wooden statue of Justice perches atop the cupola.

Exeter Town Hall
Exeter Town Hall
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter Town Hall in 2015
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

2. String Bridge (2)

View of the String Bridge.
View of the String Bridge.
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

3. Robert Lincoln, son of our 16th president, lived in the Simeon Folsom House (4) while attending Phillips Exeter Academy.

Exeter, New Hampshire
Simeon Folsom House
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

4. The Great Bridge (5) is located at the site of Exeter’s first bridge.

Exeter, New Hampshire
The Great Bridge
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

5. Noted for its fortified construction, the Gilman Garrison (6) is a public museum.

Exeter, New Hampshire
Gilman Garrison
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

6. The Eagle Steamer House (not included in walking tour brochure).

The Eagle Steamer House on Water Street in the 1920s.
The Eagle Steamer House on Water Street in the 1920s.
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Exeter, New Hampshire
The Eagle Steamer House in 2015.
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

7. Now vacant, the IOKA Theater (7) was built in 1915.

IOKA Theater
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

8. The Bandstand (8) – which boasts a bronze roof and mosaic ceiling – was gifted to Exeter by Ambrose Swasey in 1916. The Exeter Brass Band performs there each summer.

Swasey Pavilion
The Bandstand
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Exeter, New Hampshire
The Bandstand  in 2015. The Sullivan-Sleeper House, County Record Building, and Gardner House can be seen in the background.
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

9. The Sullivan-Sleeper House (9), County Record Building – which currently serves as the town offices (10), and Gardner House (11) have bordered Front Street since the 19th century.

This photo, taken at the turn-of-the-century -- shows the Sullivan-Sleeper House, County Record Building, and Gardner House.
This photo, taken at the turn of the century, shows the Sullivan-Sleeper House, County Record Building, and Gardner House.
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Front Street in 2015
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

10. Though the Town House (13) itself is no longer standing, you can visit the site where the first state constitution of the original 13 states was signed on January 9, 1776, and the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizen’s of Exeter on July 16 of that same year.

Exeter Town House
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

11. Construction began on the Congregational Church’s fourth meetinghouse (14) in 1798 and the structure retains the features of its original Palladian exterior.

Congregational Church
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

12. Designed for use as Exeter’s Public Library and Civil War Memorial, the classical revival building at 47 Front Street now houses the Exeter Historical Society (20).

Th Exeter Historical Society.
Exeter Historical Society
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Exeter Historical Society
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

13. No visit to historic Exeter would be complete without strolling past Phillips Exeter Academy, established in 1781.

Exeter, New Hampshire
Phillips Exeter Academy
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

Visiting all the points on Exeter’s walking tour would require additional time – and warmer weather – but we hope to make that happen in the coming months. Should you decide to visit Exeter, New Hampshire, be sure to allot enough time to take in all its historic sites.

M
The Masonic Block
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Exeter, New Hampshire
Masonic Block in 2015
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch
Water Street in Exeter, NH.
Water Street in Exeter, NH
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Exeter Historical Society
Exeter, New Hampshire
View of Water Street and the Swasey Pavilion.
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

Have you ever visited Exeter, New Hampshire?

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.