The history of New Hampshire is fascinating. Whether it's looking through old photos that show what life was like before we arrived or simply hearing stories passed down by family members at the dinner table, hearing about the world before we knew it always sheds light on how we live today. While any state history will hold our attention, it's places like the one we're focused on today that we love best! Calef's Country Store is one of the oldest general stores in New Hampshire, and it's more than just a trip down memory lane - trust me.

Calef's Country Store in 1869 when Mary Chesley Calef mortgaged her farm and started the store in the front rooms of her home. From then through the 1990s the store grew and was always run by a member of the Calef family.

What started as humble beginnings ended up being one of the best of the best when it comes to New Hampshire general stores.

That means that five generations of the family have run things and even though there are different owners today, the offerings are very much the same.

You'll find that at least 90% of the products here are made by local New England companies. And many are made right here in New Hampshire.

The Calef store itself even offers a line of products, including their famous molasses.

They offer great homemade food and leverage the Barrington Community Garden's fresh-grown products in their deli sandwiches.

Just like in the old days, they even have a penny candy section called "Candyland."

At first glance, this might seem like a child's dream come true, but it's mostly adults we see over here filling up their bags to take home!

They also carry a wide variety of gifts and things you need on a daily basis, making this a must-visit for those who live here and others who are just passing through.

Have you been to Calef's, one of the oldest general stores in New Hampshire? It's also one of the best general stores in NH. The store offers a wide variety of gifts and treats, and you can learn more about its offerings and store hours by by visiting the Calef's Country Store website. You can also follow it on the Calef's Country Store Facebook page. The store can be reached at 800-462-2118.

For more tales about the state's past, we've got a few fun suggestions for other places to visit. These four living history museums in New Hampshire will take you back in time! You can also read about more historical treasures in this history book about the Lake Region of New Hampshire.