Criteria for "The Way We Were" Articles

Buildings and structures should be at least 50 years old. Age alone, however, does not automatically make a building historic. In writing about a building, try to feature historic information; such as who of importance or interest built and/or lived in the building; any important events associated with the building; and the way the building is or has been a part of your community's history. Feature names and dates when needed, but avoided a chronology of owners. Include structural information about the building itself when it is important, although readers are more interested in the history of the building and less about its structure.

Text should be limited to 250 to 300 words. List your sources of information when it is derived from published documents. Please get consent from present owners of the buildings and indicate their names in the text. It is important to list the current address of the building somewhere in the text so readers can view the building if they desire.

Take a current photograph, 300 dpi is best, of the building and list the photographer's name. Try to avoided using photos when lots of snow is on the ground. If a building is blocked by trees, it is best to take the photo in the late fall or early spring when the leaves are off the trees.

Types of Sources to Use:

- Historic Houses of Cheshire County (three volumes) by Marjorie Whalen Smith.

- Articles by Marjorie Whalen Smith that have appeared in the Sentinel in the 1960's and 1970's. Copies of these articles are in the archives of the Historical Society of Cheshire County.

- Town Histories, Genealogies, and Special Publications.

- City or Town Directories.

- Old Maps.

- Deeds at the Registry of Deeds, West Street, Keene.

- Newspapers (The Keene Sentinel is available at the Keene Public Library, Mason Library, Keene State College, and the Historical Society of Cheshire County).

- Letters and Journals.

For any questions or further information, please contact Tom Haynes at dired@hsccnh.org or at 352-1895.