Tag Archives: industry

New Hampshire Glossary: Operative

The term operative was used in several ways during New Hampshire’s history. In 1762 lye was said to be an operative, while in 1785 the poison of a rattlesnake was described as being operative, each meaning they had a strong … Continue reading

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The Farm Boy Who Built New Hampshire’s Only Silver Industry: Concord’s William Butler Durgin (1833-1905)

William B. Durgin’s silver flatware and serving pieces are today still very much collectible and in demand. During the company’s heyday his Fairfax silver pattern was the leading one in the entire United States. But William Butler Durgin was not … Continue reading

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New Hampshire’s Burnap "Leghorn Bonnets"

A sample bonnet from the 18th century found in Connecticut. Note: this is not a photograph of the bonnets made by the Burnap sisters. Samples of leghorn straw bonnets can be found HERE.

According to the Merrimack NH town history, presented at the Bicentennial celebration in 1946 (written by my grandmother, Mattie Kilborn Webster): “The Burnap sisters, daughters of Merrimack, New Hampshire’s first minister [Jacob Burnap], had other ideas of a woman’s usefulness. It is claimed that in this Town [Merrimack] they invented the making of “Leghorn hats” or bonnets, as they were called. Continue reading

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Jackson New Hampshire Ski School Promoter & Businessman, Carroll Purinton Reed (1905-1995)

You can call Carroll Reed many things

dynamic, a driving force, entrepreneurial, visionary, humble, unassuming.  Yes, as strange … Continue reading

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New Hampshire And The Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851

What does The America's Cup, Saxony Wool and Prince Albert all have in common?

Answer: The Great Exhibition … Continue reading

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