Agency - The James House Association, Inc.

The James House Association mission is to preserve and restore the 1723 first period James House, its 1705 ell and the 1702 James Homestead; to provide the public with free education in Benjamin James family history, early farming and agriculture, the social and economic influences from the first period through the early 20th century, and first period architecture.

Description:
The James Homestead is listed on the National List of Historic Places. It is also a registered archaeological site. The James House is the only example of a first period, two room deep, two room across, bent frame, post and beam,wood, English style farm house type architecture with the original frame completely in tact left in New Hampshire. The type architecture was dominate in New Hampshire from 1700 to 1850. The Association is in the process of preserving and restoring this architecual gem and it's farm land.

The Homestead includes a 1700 irrigation system which is still visible. To restore the farm land, invasive species of plants and woods are being removed in preparation for the planting of apple and Pear tree orchards utilizing the 1700 irrigation system. Also, historical gardens are being planted.

During the restoration period, tours of the Homestead are provided.

The Association provides free education for the public in Benjamin James family history, early farming and agriculture, the social and economic influences from the first period through the early 20th century, and first period architecture. Special programs are offered at the Hoemstead between June and October.

A series of programs are offered by the '
"James House Players" under the title "Lives Past Lived". Those programs are offered to schools and organizations and are performed at the James House, a school, or an organization's location.

History:
The James House Association, Inc. was organized in 1994 to restore and preserve the James Homestead and to provide free education to the public describing the history of seven generations of the James Family and two generations of the Camble family; both of which lived on and farmed the Homestead.

Since 1994 the preservation of the building is nearing completion, restoration is underway, an Historical Structures Report, an Historical Landscape Survey, and a Benjamin James Family Genealogy have been published, three subsurface surveys have been completed, and four archaelogical digs were performed. 200,000 artifacts have been found. Cataloging of the artifacts is close to completion. Restoration of the farm land has started.

Contact people:

Alfonso Webb, Sr., President, (phone), (email) Ann Kaiser, Treasurer, (phone), (email) Bruce Montville, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

186 Towle Farm Rd. P. O. Box 234 Hampton, NH 03843 (See a map)

Directions:

If traveling north on I-95. cross the New Hampshire border from Mass., immediately after the rest stop exit on Rt. 107 for Seabrook and the Greyhound race track, turn right at the top of the ramp. turn left at the. . . (more)