Plymouth Historical Society to host program on local agriculture

PLYMOUTH — From the intervale gardens of the Abenaki through the 1870’s when “Agriculture was King,” to the eat local movement of today, people in and around Plymouth have farmed. Join the Plymouth Historical Society on Wednesday, May 21 for a presentation on the history of farming and related activities in the Pemi-Baker area. Dick Flanders, local historian, will highlight the kinds of farms and practices that developed here over the last five centuries.

Before Europeans arrived, the Abenaki were already growing corn and other crops on fertile fields above the rivers in this area that they called Pemijoasik. In 1763, Plymouth settlers laid out the original pattern of lots in Plymouth, taking into consideration what spots were good farming. Many homes of today’s residents are on those plots. Flanders will touch on the history of the Harvell farm, where his family home now is, as well as the history of other early Fairgrounds Road farms. 

Farming gave rise to many other businesses and activities. It is one of the reasons that Plymouth became a crossroads where farm families from many surrounding towns  sent their produce and then arrived each Friday night to do their weekly shopping.  Farming also gave rise to state fairs and 4-H Clubs. Local 4-H youth groups and farm families proudly showed their animals and husbandry skills at the fairs. Plymouth built its first permanent fairgrounds in 1871.   The Plymouth State Fair was especially popular and a yearly highlight in central New Hampshire until 1997 when the 147th and last Plymouth State Fair was held.  

For more information, visit plymouthnhhistory.org.