Visiting this library was a little different than all the others. There is no free parking, but meters are available, and they have a tiny genealogy/history collection. I shouldn't have been surprised because the town's Historical Society of Cheshire is among the best I've ever been to. That is where a researcher should go to first if you have ancestors in Cheshire County. I first went about 14 years ago to check it out and found information on my ancestor, as described below.
When I asked the librarian if I could see the older section of the building, he happily gave me a nice tour. I then did a little revising the town my ancestors lived in.
Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire
Private room, kept locked and I appreciated his offering to show me.
The Library Director's office is behind this stained glass.
The library does have maps, lots of very old city directors, and very few books. I wish I had taken a photo of the row with the earliest directories, but when I saw the 1831 book, I just grabbed it and opened it quickly. There was MY ancestor listed! At least I took a photo of the cover and part of the page with my Wilder listings.
Line three is for Abel Wilder, jail keeper, Washington Street.
One of my favorite posts was about him, he was known as The Happiest Man in Town. He lived until 91. My post explains one of my problems trying to find his burial spot, and the Historical Society was a huge help in my solving it. Also, see the beautiful house he built, photographed in the spring and fall.
New part of the Library.
Next four photos are of the town, shown for their color.
I have been to Keene many times, and decided to check on my two ancestor's tombstones.
Abel Wilder, my 4th great-grandfather, mentioned above is buried in the Washington Cemetery, Keene.
His mother-in-law, Elizabeth Johnson, my 5th great-grandmother is below and was buried in the Town Cemetery in Dublin, New Hampshire.
