Waterville Valley to Launch Historic Resource Inventory Survey
By Rick Kipphut

Waterville Valley — In an effort to gather, preserve, protect, and share the town’s rich historical character, the Waterville Valley Historical Society is preparing to launch a comprehensive Historic Resource Inventory Survey.

The Historical Society believes that this survey will be essential in safeguarding our town’s history and will be a vital aid in maintaining our community’s historic character. Imagine if we had detailed interior and exterior photos, meticulous measurements, and a comprehensive inventory of artifacts of the Waterville Inn before it was lost to fire. Once our historic structures are gone, they are gone forever. If they were documented, you at least have a record that they did exist at a point in time. 

This project will be carried out in two phases. Phase One will include homes and structures that are at least 75 years old. Phase Two will expand the scope to include buildings that are 50 years old or more.

Initial data will be gathered using tax records maintained by the Town of Waterville Valley. Researchers will also access public records from the Grafton County Register of Deeds, and research any relevant historical literature or documentation about the town. With the homeowner's permission, researchers will supplement this information through property site visits. As the project moves forward, members of the Historical Society will be reaching out to property owners while documenting sites of historical interest.

According to local tax records, there are currently 62 properties that meet the 75-to-50-year age criteria. Due to the depth and scale of the project, the survey is expected to take several years to complete.

Please respond by letting us know if you are interested in participating when we contact you. If you have any historical information, stories, or records about your property or the neighborhood that you are willing to share, we would love to hear from you. Your insights are invaluable in helping us preserve the rich history of our community.

Residents who would like to learn more about the project are encouraged to contact Rick Kipphut at the Historical Society at researchthepast@gmail.com. The survey, when completed, will be available in the archives of the Historical Society. This survey is not related to the State Register of Historic Places, or any other State agency.

The Historical Society thanks the community for its understanding and support of this important preservation effort. Follow our progress at our website https://www.watervillevalleyhistory.org/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wvhistorical.org