Posted in New Hampshire January 05, 2017 by

There’s Something Special About These 10 New Hampshire Farms From The Past

Despite the rolling mountains and rocky soil, New Hampshire has been a farm state since it was settled way back in the 1600s. Although there are fewer farms today, New Hampshire residents still love agriculture. These photos of New Hampshire farms from the past will show you what life used to be like when the Granite State was a bit simpler.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
1. On this Franconia farm, women wore the pants in 1939.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
2. This farm in Grafton was simply stunning blanketed in freshly-fallen snow during the winter of 1940.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
3. You still see many New Hampshire residents splitting and stacking wood for fuel today, but in the 1930s, the work was much harder, starting with felling the trees.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
4. Be sure to brush off your boots before coming in to dinner! This farmer in Franconia in 1939 knows just what to do.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
5. Despite the winter snow, there are still some tiny lambs in this flock from the 1930s.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
6. By 1936, summer residents were coming to stay in old farm houses that had been converted, like this one in Hancock.
Carl Mydans/yale
7. The farming landscape near Hanover looks much the same today as it did in this 1941 picture.
Jack Delano/yale
8. This Franconia farmer diversified his income by installing a ski tow on the hill behind his farm house. By 1940, a few years after installing it, he was breaking even on the $1,000 cost of setting it up.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
9. This massive barn in Sugar Hill remained operational all winter long, despite the high snow drifts.
Marion Post Walcott/yale
10. In 1943, this farmer's wife began working at a timber salvage sawmill in Concord run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
John Collier/yale

Love New Hampshire history? Check out these 12 Photos from the 1960s.