State recognizes 19th-century school, shop

The New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places has added two properties to its list of historic sites.

• Corner School, River and Poocham Roads, Westmoreland: The oldest section of the Corner School may have been originally constructed as early as 1789. Later portions of the school were built in 1846 in the Greek Revival style.

“Westmoreland students attended this one-room schoolhouse until the 1950s; its blackboards and bookshelves are still in place,” said state officials.

The school was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

• Holman & Merriman Machine Shop, Canal Street, Hinsdale: Built in 1837 as a cooperage — or barrel-making facility — and pail factory, the mill was home to the Holman & Merriman Machine Shop from 1865 to the 1920s.

More than just storage barrels and milk pails came out of this shop in its heyday. In 1875, George Long, who was working as a shop apprentice at the time, produced the world’s first self-propelled vehicle, which is now on display at the Smithsonian Museum.

“Although once part of a complex of industrial buildings and shops along the Ashuelot River and canal in Hinsdale, the Holman & Merriman Machine Shop today is one of the few physical reminders of the village’s 19th century industrial prominence,” said officials.

The New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places recognizes and honors properties that are meaningful in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or traditions of New Hampshire’s residents and communities.

For more information, visit www.nh.gov/nhdhr. — CINDY KIBBE