Franconia Area Heritage Council

The mission of the Franconia Heritage Council is to be a cultural asset that provides access and gives meaning to the power of history by safeguarding, sharing and displaying stories of our past.  

“Spruce Hedges”, 1930

Maria Hopkins Cheney, 1836-1923

Beliefs:

  • Heritage represents the heart and soul of our community; it is our collective DNA;

  • Knowledge of the past is necessary for full engagement in the present and is key to a fulfilling future;

  • We are stewards of Franconia’s past—responsible for caretaking and safeguarding the artifacts, objects and memories of Franconia; 

  • It is our duty to share our heritage in a way that captivates and inspires awe so that it is always memorable, never lost;

  • We embody the collaborative ethos and diverse perspectives that helped define colonial New England.

In 1998, the Franconia Area Heritage Council established the Franconia Heritage Museum to accomplish its mission.

The Franconia Area Heritage Council also operates and maintains the Besaw Iron Furnace Interpretive Center located on Main Street, just North of the town center. The Iron Furnace is the only blast furnace still standing in New Hampshire.

The octagonal stone stack that is visible on the far bank of the Gale River is all that remains of a 200-year-old iron smelter shown on an 1805 map of Franconia.

Visitors can see a scale model of the furnace and the shed that enclosed it. Also on display at the Interpretive Center are an ore cart, stove, kettles and tools, as well as panels explaining the process. The Franconia Heritage Museum offers additional displays of iron and books on the subject.

NOTE: Viewable anytime from the Picnic Area.  The stone stack, itself, is on private property across the Gale River.  Trespassing is prohibited due to the danger of falling stones.

FAHC beginnings, meeting notes and projects, 1979

Officers: Jeff Bartlett, President Mary-Jo Opalinski, Vice President Phil Krill, Treasurer Kay Whitcomb, Corresponding Secretary Alyssa Sherburn, Recording Secretary

Board of Directors:

Timothy Brown, Sara Daley, Shepherd Holcombe, Bob Desimone, Ted Cammann

Emeritus Board Members: Dot Wiggins, Nancy Heinemann, Amy Kelly, Amy Bahr