Rochester NH history showcased during walking tour

ROCHESTER — The recent installation of historical signs in the city center offers residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the city’s past and how it became what it is today during a walking tour.

The project is the brainchild of Matthew Wyatt, the city’s public information officer.

“It took a year to do it,” Wyatt said. “We finished our wayfaring sign plan, signs that help people navigate the city, and there was some money left in the budget. So I had this idea.”

Wyatt visited the city’s historical museum on Hanson Street.

“I scanned a number of hand-painted postcards that the museum had of historically significant locations,” Wyatt said. “I researched the locations and found many that were still there, in various versions of course. So I created dialog boxes about the locations, added them to the postcards and added a link to our virtual history map, where people can find many more locations. I hope it will get people more interested in our history and provide a great opportunity for a historical walking tour.”

Locations include the City Hall/Opera House, Fire Station (now City Hall Annex), Post Office (now Rochester District Court), Cocheco River Bridge over North Main Street, Central Square and Parson Main Monument, and Rochester Public Library. In addition, a sign for the Wyandotte Woolen Mill will soon be installed.

“Because it’s private property now, we had to get permission,” Wyatt said. “I just got it, so we’re going to put that sign up soon.”

Each board includes a vintage, hand-painted postcard featuring an image of the monument, a paragraph describing the location’s significance to Rochester’s history, and a URL and QR code leading to the city’s virtual historical map.

This map was recognized with a 2021 Preservation Achievement Award by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance. The map serves as a digital catalog highlighting hundreds of historic sites, with photos and details, in downtown Rochester.

According to Wyatt, there is potential for additional signage in the future, but there are no immediate plans.

All images and information on the signs and the virtual historical map are provided by the Rochester Historical Society & Museum, located at 58 Hanson St.

“I am very excited about this addition to the city,” Wyatt said. “I hope our residents and visitors feel the same way.”

Anyone interested in learning about a wealth of historic sites and information about Rochester can visit rochesternh.gov/historic-map . Visiting the six current sites is a great way to start, Wyatt said.

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Rochester NH history showcased during walking tour

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