Dateline: Jun. 10, 2025

There will be two noteworthy events this summer.

Annual Selectmen's Meeting

Old Meeting House

The Board of Selectmen is holding its annual business meeting at the Old Allenstown Meeting House on June 16, 2025. Located at 150 Deerfield Road, it is now in the heart of Bear Brook State Park. It was built in 1815 when this region was the center of Allenstown.

At 210 years old, it is unique because of its slanted floor. It may well be the only single-story, slanted-floor meeting house in existence today. The uncomfortable straight-back bench seats were built long before they invented ergonomics. This meeting will lack Internet access, so you must attend in person to find out what happens.

Due to changes in winter weather conditions after the state cut down diseased red pine trees in 2012 behind the building, increased snowloads shortened the life of the asphalt roofing. After negotiating with the State Division of Historic Resources, Allenstown Historical Society President Armand Verville gained permission to install a metal roof. In November 2019, Mihachik Builders of Epsom replaced the entire roof in one day.

Annual Bake Sale

The Allenstown Historical Society (AHS) is holding its fabulous Annual Bake Sale to support its mission of preserving the meeting house as a historic and public resource and for other AHS projects. The Bake Sale will be held on Friday July 4, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fresh baked goods are being donated by members and friends of the Society and will be on display inside the Meeting House. Members of the Historical Society will be on hand to answer questions about the building's history.

On the menu are mouth-watering treats like pies, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and some breads. There may also be some red, white, and blue pastries to make Independence Day more special.

If you would like to contribute some baked goods for the sale, or place an order in advance for some baked goods, call Claudette at 603-485-4437.

What You Can Do

Come out to Bear Brook State Park on June 16th and check out the Selectmen's meeting. Come back on July 4th and purchase some baked goods for your cookout or picnic.