GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CELEBRATES NH FARM MUSEUM’S HISTORIC MOVE OF THE 1801 PLUMMER RIDGE SCHOOL HOUSE
Rochester, NH – The New Hampshire Farm Museum and the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, August 21st, at the New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton, NH. The ceremony celebrated the recent relocation of the historic 1801 Plummer’s Ridge one-room schoolhouse, which was originally located a half-mile south of the New Hampshire Farm Museum and was relocated to the Museum on April 1, 2026.
Program Director Janet Hotchkiss began the program by welcoming attendees and recognizing Milton historian John Katwick, Executive Director Jon Hotchkiss, President Dean Giffin, former President Joe Bailey, the NHFM Board of Trustees, the Town of Milton Selectmen, Town Administrator Richard Krauss, and the citizens of Milton who voted to transfer the historic schoolhouse to the Museum.
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Chair-Elect, Mary Henderson welcomed guests then introduced Dr. Catherine Grellet, whose generosity greatly assisted in completing the schoolhouse renovations through a significant donation made in honor of her late husband, Fred Smith. Her speech, “Simple Places, Extraordinary Lives”, paid homage to her husband and his simple one room schoolhouse education that would eventually lead to a highly successful career in the semiconductor industry.
Executive Director Jon Hotchkiss shared a personal story about another one-room schoolhouse before describing the incredible journey involved in restoring the Plummer’s Ridge Schoolhouse to its original beauty, and recognizing the many partners, contractors, benefactors, volunteers, and staff who contributed to the project. He then shared, “I have served in the acting role as general contractor for almost three years to keep this project on track and meet important deadlines. There were sleepless days and nights as time ticked away.” Hotchkiss added, “It is my fervent hope that we will fill the walls of this 225-year-old building with stories that inspire and challenge the minds of museum goers of all ages. You have proven that great things happen when we work together!”
After the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, attendees were given the opportunity to tour the schoolhouse and join in refreshments.
For more information about the New Hampshire Farm Museum, please visit our website at www.nhfarmmuseum.org, or contact Janet Hotchkiss, M.S., Program Director, at 603-652-7840. The New Hampshire Farm Museum is a proud member of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the New Hamshire Farm Bureau, and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.
Caption: JoAnne Stewart Richards performs the ceremonial ribbon cutting alongside New Hampshire Farm Museum Board of Trustees, staff, and community members.
Program Director Janet Hotchkiss began the program by welcoming attendees and recognizing Milton historian John Katwick, Executive Director Jon Hotchkiss, President Dean Giffin, former President Joe Bailey, the NHFM Board of Trustees, the Town of Milton Selectmen, Town Administrator Richard Krauss, and the citizens of Milton who voted to transfer the historic schoolhouse to the Museum.
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Chair-Elect, Mary Henderson welcomed guests then introduced Dr. Catherine Grellet, whose generosity greatly assisted in completing the schoolhouse renovations through a significant donation made in honor of her late husband, Fred Smith. Her speech, “Simple Places, Extraordinary Lives”, paid homage to her husband and his simple one room schoolhouse education that would eventually lead to a highly successful career in the semiconductor industry.
Executive Director Jon Hotchkiss shared a personal story about another one-room schoolhouse before describing the incredible journey involved in restoring the Plummer’s Ridge Schoolhouse to its original beauty, and recognizing the many partners, contractors, benefactors, volunteers, and staff who contributed to the project. He then shared, “I have served in the acting role as general contractor for almost three years to keep this project on track and meet important deadlines. There were sleepless days and nights as time ticked away.” Hotchkiss added, “It is my fervent hope that we will fill the walls of this 225-year-old building with stories that inspire and challenge the minds of museum goers of all ages. You have proven that great things happen when we work together!”
After the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, attendees were given the opportunity to tour the schoolhouse and join in refreshments.
For more information about the New Hampshire Farm Museum, please visit our website at www.nhfarmmuseum.org, or contact Janet Hotchkiss, M.S., Program Director, at 603-652-7840. The New Hampshire Farm Museum is a proud member of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, the New Hamshire Farm Bureau, and the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.
Caption: JoAnne Stewart Richards performs the ceremonial ribbon cutting alongside New Hampshire Farm Museum Board of Trustees, staff, and community members.
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
-
Abigail Gilbert Business Development Specialist
- August 31, 2026
- (603) 332-5080
- Send Email
