Square Schoolhouse Museum – Nottingham, New Hampshire

The square schoolhouse in Nottingham was built around 1850 and is one of the best-preserved mid-19th century schoolhouses in southern New Hampshire. It is named not for its shape, but for its location in Nottingham Square. The building served as a schoolhouse until 1920 and is presently housing the Nottingham Historical Society.

The schoolhouse is adjacent to the picturesque Nottingham Square

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site – Calais, Maine

Saint Croix Island International Historic Site in Calais was my “hometown” national park unit. My parents had their retirement home very near to this park and as a National Park fan I used to come here very often. Saint Croix Island sits in the middle of the river between Maine and New Brunswick. In 1604, a French settlement began on the island, three years before English settlements in Jamestown. Saint Croix Island’s settlement was soon abandoned, following a terrible winter. When I visited the park years ago there was little more than a boat ramp and information placard at the site. Today there are extensive informative displays accompanied by statues representing various historical figures. There are rest room facilities and a fully staffed visitor center. There is no access to the island itself to protect its archeological and natural elements but the mainland area is well worth the visit. The neighboring shore in New Brunswick, Canada also has a park and display. It is great seeing small parks like this being properly represented.

Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site – Hubbardton, Vermont

The Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site preserves the site of the battlefield in the small village of Hubbardton, New York. The Battle of Hubbardton was an engagement in the Saratoga campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought in the village of Hubbardton, Vermont. Vermont was then a disputed territory sometimes called the New Hampshire Grants, claimed by New York, New Hampshire, and the newly organized and not yet recognized but de facto independent government of Vermont. On the morning of July 7, 1777, British forces, under General Simon Fraser, caught up with the American rear guard of the forces retreating after the withdrawal from Fort Ticonderoga. The battle took a large enough toll on the British forces that they did not further pursue the main American army. The many American prisoners were sent to Ticonderoga while most of the British troops made their way to Skenesboro to rejoin Burgoyne’s army. Most of the scattered American remnants made their way to rejoin St. Clair’s army on its way toward the Hudson River.

Ample signage