Sunny weather dawned for the second attempt at the New Ipswich town 275th anniversary picnic Sunday, after downpours rained out the originally scheduled date last week.
The picnic was held on the lawn of the Barrett House, also known as Forest Hall. The historic home was built in 1800 as a wedding gift by Charles Barrett for his son, Charles Jr., and daughter-in-law Martha Minot, as a grand wedding present.
As part of the celebrations, residents brought their own lunches, blankets and chairs, sprawled in the shade of the lawn for lunch and got the opportunity to explore the grounds, go on guided tours of the first floor of the Barrett House, take old-timey Polaroids dressed in costume and play lawn games.
To continue to celebrate the town’s 275th anniversary, the New Ipswich Historical Society is hosting an “old-time New Hampshire country dance,” called by Dudley Laufman, on Friday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Club at Oak Hill, located at 290 Old Country Road in New Ipswich. Admission to the dance is free, with donations accepted, for individuals and families. Light refreshments will be served.
To support the town’s anniversary celebration events, pewter ornaments designed by Mascenic Regional High School freshman Grace Matson are available at the town offices for $20.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.