Meredith Public Library, Historical Society host program on town mystery stone

MEREDITH — As part of its In Search of NH’s Unexplained series, the Meredith Public Library in coordination with the Meredith Historical Society will present a program Thursday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. exploring the unknown origins of the town’s famed Mystery Stone.

As the original stone is now owned by the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, Meredith Historical Society board member Tom Witham and MPL Assistant Director Chris Leland recently collaborated to produce a 3-D printed replica of the egg-shaped artifact, which is now displayed at the society’s Main Street Museum. Witham and Leland will outline their efforts as part of the program.

Found near the shore of Meredith Bay in 1872 during pre-construction excavation, the historic rock was recovered by local businessman, bank founder and amateur naturalist Seneca Ladd.

Noticing a large lump of dirt that came out of a post hole being dug, Ladd took it, cleaned it off and discovered a highly crafted piece of apparent Native origin. Carved into the rock’s surface are several images, including a face, a wigwam, a teepee, an arrow and a crescent moon.

“There has been considerable examination and speculation about the age, origin and meaning of the Mystery Stone ever since,” said former MHS board member John Edgar during a 2019 program focused on Ladd and the stone.

In 1927, Ladd’s daughter Frances Coe donated the stone to the New Hampshire Historical Society, where it continues to be one of the favorite items in their museum’s collection.

“Visitors to our museum are always trying to solve the mystery of the stone,” said Witham. “Who knows? This program might lead to somebody finally solving the century-and-a-half-year-old puzzle.”

For more information, visit meredithhistoricalsocietynh.org.