Southern New Hampshire - Villages Of Wilton, Greenville, Mason, And Brookline

16 October 2021

Story #1041

R. Linda:

In the south of the state of New Hampshire, there are historic colonial homes galore. The large houses with "ells" additions (called ells -- a wing of a home perpendicular to the length of the main portion) and old barns are very beautiful. However, the New England cape home is very different from the capes around the country. They are sturdier-looking, have a lot of post-and-beam work, and are quaint and filled with history. The capes found on Cape Cod in Massachusetts are weathered from the salt air, and their clapboards take on a blue-grey patina that is very attractive. However, New Hampshire has northern New England's most lovely older homes.

The small historical centre in Wilton, New Hampshire, has lovely old-style homes. A newer section of businesses is in another part of Wilton town, but the old section of historic homes is a sight not to miss. 

The Wilton Unitarian Church be the first building you see as you enter the historic section of town

In the newer business section of town, one of the most fascinating old New England architecture be the painting of barn sides like this one:

It is found on the outskirts of the newer centre section. If you pass through this section, do stop at Nelson's Homemade (and handmade) candies!

Wilton boasts an old mill called Frys Measure Mill. There were demonstrations of how the mill worked, but I don't know if they run those anymore. But the fascinating history of the mill and its work was worth the time spent. At the mill is a gift shop filled with millwork articles like measuring scoops, wooden colonial chandeliers, and many unique antiques and gifts.

The old mill

The stream that feeds the mill

Leaving Wilton and driving west towards Greenville, New Hampshire (where the apple orchard is located), there is a place for lunch that I highly recommend. It is called Pickety Place (where the story of Little Red Riding Hood was written). Pickety Place has a gourmet restaurant (you need reservations), two gift shops (one with a room where the kiddos can peek in at the Wolf dressed up as Grandma), and an excellent garden shop.

Pickety Place

Stuffed pumpkin lunch at Pickey Place

One of the gift shops at Pickety Place

Greenville (on the Mason side) has some picturesque views and farmland that give a wide view of Massachusetts.

Looking at the Massachusetts border

Another shot looking towards Massachusetts

And a last view

Many homes are built deep in the woods, which stirs the imagination on foggy days around Halloween.

The foggy turret in the woods

The Mason side of Greenville (they share a post office - that's how small the towns are) is a quaint town you transition through as you move south.

A Mason road that becomes a hollow you drive through, very pretty

Mason also has an eatery that specialises in its own maple products. This place is always packed because of its popularity for its breakfast menu. The food is excellent, no doubt about it. A lot of natives and Massachusetts residents frequent Parker's Maple Barn. The place also has a gift shop filled with maple products, and downstairs is a shop devoted to Native American items. During the sugaring season, there is a sugar house and a doughnut and coffee stand. So if you get there and have to wait, there be plenty to do until your table becomes ready. Just know weekends are hectic, but the food and atmosphere of Parker's be well worth the wait.

The covered bridge will take you from the restaurant to the gift shoppe

Mason has an old granite quarry to which one can hike or ride horses. It is filled with water and has become a swimming hole for locals in the summertime. It's a pretty hike, and the quarry is something to see. There is also an old railroad bed that winds through the area where one can hike or horseback ride.

The Quarry

As you drive through Mason, you will see many horse farms. 

And pretty farmhouses.

This one be called Spring Hill

And Mason has a few old cemeteries that date way back. They are worth a look. This one is just down the hill from Uncle Sam's House, where Samuel Wilson grew up. If you don't know about Uncle Sam, look him up!

Even the old graveyard be picturesque

Moving on to Brookline, New Hampshire, which is a very small village but has Lake Potamapo. In the winter, it is the scene of ice fishing and snowmobile racing; in the summer, it is the scene of sailboating, swimming, and general beach time.

The little lake community of Potamapo reminds me a lot of Guysborough,  Nova Scotia

The lake's small lighthouse has become a symbol for Brookline

And Brookline has that proverbial red truck found everywhere in home and card decor!

Most of us look out the window, not particularly "seeing" what we see and have no clue what some of these little towns have to offer. But a little scrapping below the surface will reveal that almost every town you drive through has SOMETHING you don't want to miss.

Gabe

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