Historic Harrisville

Harrisville, New Hampshire, is one of the many small, water-powered mill towns that developed in New England in the first half of the nineteenth century—but it is the only textile village that has largely survived in its original form.

For 150 years the textile industry provided a livelihood for the town, and the Cheshire Mills operated here from 1852 through 1970. When the mill ultimately declared bankruptcy in 1970, the community joined with preservationists to form Historic Harrisville, Inc.—to not only maintain and renovate the old mill buildings and related properties, but to do so in a manner that provided opportunities for people to continue to live and work in Harrisville. In 1977, the Department of Interior designated Harrisville a National Historic Landmark.

Today, the former mills, boarding houses, workers’ cottages, owners’ houses, store, and other buildings owned by Historic Harrisville are home to various small businesses, manufacturers, and residents. We provide space to artists, writers, a daycare center, textile retail store and company, post office, designers, and—importantly—affordable housing. Historic Harrisville also owns and operates the Harrisville General Store, providing not only food to the community but a central place for everyone to gather. We also offer public hiking trails on conserved land, and are the town’s largest tax payer. Our continuing mission is to enhance the quality of life, community spirit, beauty, and economic vitality of Harrisville—as it has been for the past fifty years.