Old Webster Courthoue | Plymouth NH | OldWebsterCourthouse.org

Watch Videos

Click here for giving levels

and opportunities

Online with PayPal

Donations by check payable to:

YLLA/OWC

(Young Ladies Library Association/

Old Webster Courthouse)

PO Box 612

Plymouth NH 03264

Donate today and join our community in preserving, expanding and sustaining

Plymouth's 1774 courthouse,

now home to the

Plymouth Historical Museum

and Memory House.

OUR MISSION

In 2013, half of the ceiling in the Old Webster Courthouse collapsed, endangering not only the collection of the Plymouth Historical Society, but the building itself. With this event came the realization that action was needed to preserve this historically important building and the artifacts it holds. Members of the Young Ladies Library Association (owners of the building), the Plymouth Historical Society (grateful tenants of the building) and community members formed the Old Webster Courthouse Committee to raise funds to preserve the structure, contents, living history and community use of the Old Webster Courthouse.

These funds will enable the completion of critical exterior and interior structural repairs and replacements to preserve the 240-year-old building and its contents and to provide accessibility for all.

The Old Webster Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. In accordance with this distinction, all project work will be carried out according to the standards for historic preservation approved by the US Department of the Interior. Historical preservation and expansion assessments have been completed with support from the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance and Plymouth Rotary.

GOALS

The Old Webster Courthouse Committee invites your participation in this one-time sustainability effort to raise $450,000 to preserve the Old Webster Courthouse. Built in 1774, the structure has served as one of the county's first courthouses, the town library for over 100 years, and now as home to the Plymouth Historical Society. The Future of History Campaign will take place throughout 2018. Funds raised will support a three-phased undertaking:

PHASE I: Preservation — Covers repairs and upgrades to the structure, including windows, ventilation, heating/cooling, roof, chimney, and foundation improvements as well as a new all-access entrance.

PHASE II: Expansion — Provides an addition at the rear of the building with display and storage fixtures to house archives and artifacts, workspace to prepare exhibits and catalog the collection, and an all-access bathroom and a kitchenettes for functions.

PHASE III: Sustainability — Provides funding for future building maintenance and operational needs.

All work will be completed through a combination of financial donations, in-kind donations from area contractors and local volunteers, and private and public grants.

HISTORY of the OLD WEBSTER COURTHOUSE

According to Stearns’ History of Plymouth, the structure remained in continued use for nearly fifty years. During this period many lawyers and justices attended court in the building, some of whom would go on to play larger parts in the history of our state and country.

The Plymouth Historical Society receives items of historic interest to be reviewed by the board for acceptance to the collection.

The Society is in the beginning stages of creating a digital catalog of the collection to improve access.

In July of 1774, the selectmen of Plymouth were notified they must erect stocks and whipping posts near their courthouse and gaol (jail). The courthouse was being constructed on land adjacent to Col. David Webster’s tavern (near the current senior center). Mrs. Webster did not feel the stocks and whipping post would be appealing to guests, so Webster provided another piece of land at the corner of Russell and Pleasant Streets and the frame was moved and completed there.

1/47

PO Box 612

Plymouth NH 03264

(603) 536-2337

Betty Batchelder

Hon. William Batchelder

Paul Floyd

Judy Floyd

Alma Grand

Katherine Hillier

Trish Lindberg

Lisa Lundari

Doug McLane

Lisa Mure

Stephanie Osborne

Steve Rand

Tom Samyn

Gloria Sterling

Manuel Sterling

In Memoriam

Mary Crowley

Emails sent via this contact form will reach the Committee via Judy Floyd. If you are trying to reach a specific Committee member please put "ATTN: [name]" in the subject line.

Preserving the 1774 Old Webster Courthouse in Plymouth, New Hampshire