DECEMBER 1 9AM TO 4PM TOUR DE CHOOCH
Established in 1993, the Wakefield Heritage Commission has developed plans to restore areas of the community that reflect the importance of Wakefield in transportation, manufacturing, and farming.
With the generous support of volunteers, financial donors, and grants, the first building constructed in the village of Sanbornville, the Garvin Building, was restored. Upon completion, the Wakefield Heritage Commission sold the Garvin Building. It remains a focal point and tribute to the history of the community.
In recent years, the Commission, thanks to a small army of talented and generous volunteers, has restored Union Station and the Freight House in Union, the Lovell-Union Grange, Spinney Meeting House, and the East Wakefield School.
In 2014, the Newichawannock Bridge and Canal, built in 1868, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This area now qualifies to be designated as a national historic district.
Spinney Meeting House
1847 Lovell Lake Road, South Wakefield, NH
*available for rent
Thanksgiving Weekend Special Event Returns
Conclude your Thanksgiving weekend by visiting the Tour de Chooch Open House on Sunday,
December 1, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Heritage Park Railroad Museum in Union, NH. Admission
is free.
This special event to be enjoyed by children of all ages features viewing the fascinating details of an
operating HO scale model railroad depicting the five villages of Wakefield in the 1909 era with its
computer-controlled operating system and viewing a Lionel O-gauge train layout all located in the 1875
restored Boston & Maine freight house.
Not to be missed in the 1909 era display is a model of the 1895 Wakefield Town Hall. Replicated and
built by Jay Ehlen of Durham, NH, the tower of the town hall model features an operating bell and
operating clocks. The clocks were built by the skilled North Conway jeweler, Tim Psaledakis.
Rich Breton, spokesman for the volunteer model railroad hobbyists representing eight New Hampshire
communities, said the group has been working on the miniaturized railroad for eleven years. It is
historically accurate including structures, steam locomotives, passenger and freight cars, and
landscaping which includes photo backdrops of the area including Moose Mountain.
For the modeler, rail fan, novice or curious, the holiday open house is being held concurrently with the
annual Tour de Chooch established in 1994. This year’s self-guided tour features 35 model railroads in
southeastern New Hampshire and eastern Massachusetts. Information about Tour de Chooch can be
viewed at www.tourdechooch.org.
The Heritage Park Railroad Museum is administered by the Wakefield Heritage Commission.
Heritage Centre of Wakefield/
Lovell Union Grange
26 Province Lake Road, Sanbornville, NH
Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am to 12pm
Closed for the season!
Wakefield Heritage Commission
Wakefield Town Hall
2 High Street
Sanbornville, New Hampshire 03872
e-mail: info@historicwakefieldnh.com
On the web: www.historicwakefieldnh.com
The Wakefield Heritage Commission is an agency of the Town of Wakefield and shares in the town's federal income tax exempt status regarding
donations as per NH RSA 673:4-a, RSA674:44-a, through RSA 674:44d. Charitable contributions to government units are tax deductible under section 170c(1) of the Internal Revenue Code when made for public purpose.
The Heritage Park
Railroad Museum
Freight House
One Chapel Street, Union, NH
Saturdays & Sundays
12PM - 4PM
Closed for the Season!
East Wakefield School
1892 Province Lake Rd, East Wakefield, NH
Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am
to 12pm
Closed for the Season!