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Grafton County's Government Day
Researched and Written by Janine Weins
(Posted 4/12/06)

Lyme, and its neighboring New Hampshire towns, are in Grafton County. Everyone in the United States lives in a county; there are more than 3,000 counties across the U.S., although in Louisiana they are called parishes and in Alaska, boroughs.

During April, counties across the country invite the public to visit their facilities. April 22, the Grafton County Commissioners invite the public to visit the Grafton County complex in North Haverhill. In some counties, a visit to the county government offices is nothing more than a visit to a high-rise building. That's not true in Grafton—the Grafton County buildings are located on 750 acres that lie between Route 10 and the Connecticut River. Visitors to the Grafton County Complex will have an opportunity to visit the county buildings; see the animals, gardens and buildings that make up the Grafton County Farm; take a hay ride; enjoy a complimentary barbecue; and participate in dozens of other activities and events.

The drive to North Haverhill is part of the pleasure of attending Grafton County Government Day. Route 10 winds along the Connecticut River from Lebanon at the southernmost end of Grafton County to the Grafton County Complex in North Haverhill. About ten miles north of Hanover, Route 10 travels along the north side of the Lyme Common. The Lyme Common is listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of the architecture around the common, including the Lyme Congregational Church.

Orford is the first town north of Lyme. Its historic district is also included in the National Register of Historic Places. Seven private homes that sit high on a ridge on the east side of Route 10 are part of the historic district. The oldest house on the ridge is the one in the middle, built by Orford's first minister in 1773. The last of the seven homes to be built was the Greek Revival-style Willard House, its current resident is Julia Fifield who turned 100 this past December. Julia has made significant contributions to Orford, Grafton County, and the State of New Hampshire with the generous gifts of her time, energy, and experience.

Another building along the Orford Street Historic District is the Orford Congregational Church where every Tuesday the Grafton County Senior Citizens Council sponsors a luncheon to which the public is invited. This Gothic-style church was completed in 1854. This coming Tuesday, 18 April 2006, the luncheon speaker will be from the United States Department of Agriculture. He will be talking about grants and loans available for home repair.

Another area listed in the National Register of Historic Places is the Haverhill Corners Historic District. From 1793 until 1891, Haverhill was the seat of Grafton County Government. During that time some beautiful buildings were built on the Haverhill Common, including the home of Governor John Page. One of Haverhill's current residents is Betty Johnson, who sang on The Don McNeill Breakfast Club and appeared with Jack Paar on The Tonight Show.