Since 1985 my family and I have lived inWilton, New Hampshire, in the southwest corner of the state. Our house was built ca. 1770, and is located in old Wilton Center, the original locus of settlement in the colonial era. I have served at various times as a member of the Board of Directors, Wilton Main Street Association (1999–2000); member, Town of Wilton Heritage Commission (2000 - 2022); member, Wilton Public/Gregg Free Library Renovation Fund Steering Committee (2004-05); member, Board of Trustees of Monadnock Music (ongoing); Lector and Eucharistic Minister, Divine Mercy Parish (RC) Peterborough NH; member, Wilton Historical Society; and I am a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace for the State of New Hampshire. I am the co-author (with Priscilla J. Weston and Jessie Salisbury) of Wilton, Temple, and Lyndeborough, a history in pictures of my town of Wilton and its two nearest neighbors, part of Arcadia Publishing Company's series Images of America. The cover image of the book is also a link that will take you to the site of the Toadstool Bookshops of Keene, Peterborough and Nashua -- if you are interested in purchasing the book, it's always best to buy local!
The Wilton Town Hall Theatre is located in the historic Wilton Town Hall, dedicated in 1885 and built on the site of the old Whiting Hotel, which was burned in the great fire of 1874 that destroyed much of the town's Main Street. Movies have been shown in the theatre (built primarily to house Town Meeting every spring) since 1912; and prior to that the theatre played host to traveling professional vaudeville, local theatrical productions, dance band concerts, and even basketball games. The theatre is currently run by movie maven Dennis Markaverich, showing classic features, "art house" films, documentaries, and a Sunday afternoon series of silent films with live musical accompaniment. There's fresh popped popcorn with real butter, fresh-cut lime wedges for your Polar Seltzer, comfortable seats and prices that won't force you to take out a second mortgage just to bring your family for an afternoon's or evening's entertainment. A click on the photograph at right will bring you to the theatre's website.
The Whiting House Hotel, burned in 1874, now the site of the Wilton Town Hall
Vaudeville Program ca. 1920 for the "Waldo Whipple All-Star Speciality Company"
A one-person dramatic recital of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Aftermath of the Great Fire of 1874
Vaudeville program from June 1st 1893 featuring the short comedy "Joe Simpson's Double"
A benefit Minstrel Show for Sacred Heart Parish in 1901. Note that there will be dancing until 2 AM and a supper served at .25 cents per person!