ARCH needs your help to win $25,000 grant

The Robert and Karin Finlay Foundation recently extended a challenge to New Hampshire museums, libraries and historical societies to increase their membership during 2008. The foundation has pledged $25,000 to each of the top three institutions in the state which show the greatest increase in membership between November 1, 2007 and October 31, 2008.

ARCH is excited to participate in this challenge. This money could be used in many exciting ways to help our new organization establish programs and begin an endowment fund. We have already begun the membership drive by offering memberships at a reduced fee to all who join ARCH between July 20 and October 31, 2008.

If we are to be successful, we will need the help of many ARCH supporters. Despite all the programs and publicity about the Wentworth House that have occurred in recent years, there are still members of the community who are unaware of ARCH and its mission. Our goal is to see that every resident of Rollinsford is invited to join ARCH and we are working to spread the word.

How can you help?

• If you are not currently a member of ARCH, join today! Both new and renewing members will help us reach our goal. If everyone on our mailing list were to renew their membership, this would double our membership numbers from last year. All who join before October 31, 2008 will receive discounted membership rates: $10.00/ individual and $20.00/family and be entered into a drawing for one of two $100 gas cards.

• Give a gift membership. Perhaps your friends or family would enjoy being part of this exciting organization. Think of a few people you know and surprise them with the gift of a membership.

• Recruit friends and family to join ARCH. Tell them about ARCH and the membership challenge, tell them about why the project is special to you, invite them to attend an event at the Wentworth House.

• Host a private group tour of the Wentworth House. Arrange a private tour of the house for a group of friends and family. We will be happy to supply a tour guide to provide a private tour of the house for your group. Once they see our beautiful historic house, we’re sure they will want to support this important cultural resource for Rollinsford and the area.

Enthusiastic members are the best salespeople for ARCH. Help us meet the challenge!

For more information or to arrange a private tour, call Lucy at 603-742-8581

To Join (or renew) ARCH, please click here, print and complete the pdf form that opens.  Mail with your check to ARCH, PO Box 16, Rollinsford, NH 03869

Bringing the Paul Wentworth House Home

The reproduction lantern is installed

This site tells the story of the return of the Col. Paul Wentworth House (c. 1701) to its original home. Originally built in Rollinsford, New Hampshire it was removed from town in 1936 and rebuilt in Dover, Massachusetts and has been missing from the town’s landscape for almost 70 years.

House owner, Ken Rendell, generously donated the house to the town in 2002. During the months of September and October of 2002, historic building specialist, Stephen Bedard, worked with his crew in Dover, MA, to dismantle the Wentworth house and return it to its native soil in Rollinsford. Steve was hired to take the dwelling apart, piece by piece, and transport it back to NH, where it it has been reassembled within sight of its original lot.