Letterboxing Treasure Hunt Clues

Between the Peterborough Town House and the Historical Society you will find the first letterbox in this series.

 

Some gates give entrance, others hold us out. These particular gates are to honor, commemorate and serve as a reminder to us of the sacrifice people have made for almost 100 years. Originally constructed in 1923 and dedicated on November 11^th of that year, the gates were to honor the veterans of World War I. The monument was rebuilt twice: first located closer to the street, it was moved back a bit in 1955. In disrepair, was taken down and rebuilt again for town’s bicentennial in the 1970’s. There are plaques on the gates in commemoration of those who fought in wars from this community. Beginning with World War I and working your way through time to the right, you will find a list of their names in remembrance. If you see a star next to their name, it means they gave their lives in the service of their country.   After taking a moment to look over the lists, look around to find another object dedicated to the memory of those who served in World War I, “The war to end all wars.”   Manufactured in 1899 this item was moved to this spot in 2001. 

 

Move to the walkway leading through the Memorial Gates. Walk through the gates and immediately turn left (facing the Historical Society). Walk along the wall and look down ~ you’ll find the next letter box under rocks and slate.

 

 

Now, to find the next box in this series…

 

Go back to the walkway and head towards the white building. Turn left along the walkway going 8 paces. Stop and turn 90º ~ you should now be facing the brick end of the “Brick Ends” building! Directly in front of you is a plaque in memory of Samuel Smith (1765 – 1842) the founder of the Phoenix Mill. The house was part of the original plant, formerly sitting on the banks of the Nubanusit River. 

 

In 1794, Samuel Smith started a papermaking operation which sold various types of paper across the region. In 1813 he invested in cotton spinning machines to start the Phoenix Cotton and Paper Company. Five years later he added looms and mules for weaving cotton which sold as far away as Russia. The company prospered under his direction until a disastrous fire in December of 1828 forced him into bankruptcy. He was very involved in the affairs of the community and a leader of the time. Many considered him one of the founders of the town. We could easily have found ourselves living in “Smithville” as “Peterborough”!

 

To find the stamp for this letterbox, look under the rock against the wall and get ready for the next stop!

 

To find this box, go back onto the brick walkway to the circle of granite. Turn 45º to the right, and head across the open field, towards the flag you can see up on High Street. You will see a marker for the Phoenix Mill Green on the edge of the field. Walk on over to it to see a list of the different factories that were in that space. The next letter box is hidden in the grass and plants at the marker.

 

Ready to find the next box? Read on!

 

 

 

 

 

Walk back to the granite circle

Historical Society is ahead of you

Let yourself turn right 90º

Eagle eyes will see a box ~ walk to it

             Reach out and open it

Surprise, surprise! A letterbox and Valley Quest are BOTH inside!

 

The box was once used by Wheeler’s Dairy’s customers for milk deliveries. Wheeler’s delivered dairy products to Peterborough, Jaffrey, Wilton, Hancock, Greenfield, Temple and Bennington. When you put your empty bottles in the box, fresh bottles replaced them when the milkman came around!

Ready to explore more? Read on!

 

Move back out to the brick walkway. Go left to the circle, once again. At the junction of the walkways, veer to the right and go 5 paces. Take the right walk. You are now facing a small brick building, Schoolhouse #8.

 

In 1824 the town divided into 9 districts and required each area to build a schoolhouse for their children. This building was once situated out on Middle Hancock Road. The Historical Society moved it, brick by brick and rebuilt it on this site. It is currently used for school education programs each spring and fall. Spring and fall were the two seasons it was NOT used to educate children in the past. Each spring, families were planting and each fall they were harvesting. Children came to school in the winter and summer for 10 weeks or so each year. They were taught the “3 R’s” ~ Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. It was a “one room school” so children from the ages of 3 to 19 were taught together in the one space.   If you look at the wall to the right of the door, you will see some very special bricks. They include some names and dates. These were students who once went to the school.

 

Walk around the right-side of the building and lift the rock next to the corner of the schoolhouse. You’ll find your next goodie box!

 

Now, for the final location…

 

This letterbox is a drive-by and only available when the Historical Society is open. The hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 – 4pm. You can find more information at www.peterboroughhistory.org .

 

From the Schoolhouse, got out through the Memorial Gates and turn right down the sidewalk. Follow the sidewalk to the main steps to the Historical Society, between the flower beds. Walk up the steps, along the sidewalk into the Historical Society Building. 

 

The Peterborough Historical Society’s main building was of a gift of Mrs. Clara Foster Bass (1844 – 1933). Her portrait hangs in Bass Hall.   The cornerstone was laid on September 10, 1917 and from those very beginnings, the building was to be a historical society and “to collect, preserve, write and publish whatever may be of value to the history of Peterborough.” 

 

You will need to explore the entrance hall area for this last letterbox. Our clue to you is a skull and crossbones…can you find it?

 

When you are done, come into the Historical Society office (at the base of the stairs, to the right upon entering the building) for a special treat! One per stamper!!

 

Generosity, according to Wikipedia, is not solely based on one's economic status, but instead, includes the individual's pure intentions of looking out for society's common good and giving from the heart. Generosity should reflect the individual's passion to help others.

 

On February 15, 1862, Catherine Putnam purchased 2+ acres of land along the Nubanusit from James Scott for $500. On that same day, she deeded the property to the town of Peterborough, designating it forever as public land, to be enjoyed by the community in what, according to Wikipedia, would be an act of pure generosity. Whether for lunch or Children in the Arts day, people still come to Putnam Park to enjoy a few moments by the riverside or a bit of time in the shade of the trees.

 

Directions: (after doing last one inside the Peterborough Historical Society)

Go back out the front door, down the brick walkway and the granite steps to the sidewalk. At the base of the steps, turn right. Begin walking south, towards the post office. Continue across the Nubanusit River on the Grove Street Bridge. If you look up to your right, you’ll see several dams. These were used to power the mills that once were in downtown Peterborough. 

 

Continue a few more steps to the entrance to Putnam Park. Walk between the two granite soldiers.   

 

Continue into the park. “Y” not go left? A bit further, “Y” not go right? Follow the dirt path 37 paces to the 2^nd spot you could sit. Facing the river, turn 180 degrees. Go 15 paces up the valley. Can you spot the tumbled trees up on your left? Hidden beneath bark you’ll find your treasure! Be sure to return it to its location and cover it back with bark!

 

 

 

Now that you have found our letterbox in Miss Putnam’s honor, let’s find another letterbox in another site that honors a family from Peterborough.

 

Go back through the entrance to Putnam Park. After peering north and south for traffic, go across Grove Street to the other side of the road. Tucked between the Nubanusit River and the GAR Hall, now Club Cannon, you will find The Boccelli Garden.

 

Dedicated August 24, 2002, “the Boccelli Garden blooms in remembrance of Michael and Maria Boccelli” on the site of their homestead on Grove Street. Michael Boccelli came to Peterborough from Italy in 1909 working as a gardener here in town. Three years later he was able to send to Italy for his wife, Maria, and their children. Once they were established, Mrs. Boccelli operated a boarding house and was well known for her hospitality and Mr. Boccelli had a cobbler shop with an incredible ivy plant growing inside.

 

To locate this next letterbox in our History Hunting Series, you can sit a spell and enjoy the rushing water of the Nubanusit River if you’d like, then turn towards the lovely Boccelli Garden. There are flowers and shrubs on display. Can you find where to get some water? Walk to the left along the wall, towards the fence, 7 paces. If you reach out behind a rock in the wall you’ll find your prize! Don’t forget to hide the letterbox in the same spot!