Mill Town Messenger | Jan 2024

Overview

The newsletter chronicles Newport Historical Society activities, local heritage projects, and recent donations. Articles highlight community stewardship of artifacts like the 1815 “Dexter” fire pumper, the donated Dorr needlepoint chair, and programming at Summercrest and Parlin Field, emphasizing preservation and public engagement.

Profiles and historical features trace civic benefactors and local institutions, detailing Albert N. Parlin’s legacy, Winter Carnival memories, museum resources, and upcoming talks, reinforcing Newport’s deep-rooted volunteerism and educational outreach.

You can read the online version of the newsletter here.

This quarterly newsletter is generally published in January, April, July and October.

Main Points

• Newport Historical Society Activities: The Society holds monthly business meetings, maintains open museum hours on Sundays, and organizes public programs highlighting Newport’s history, such as the “Newport NH Chronicles” at Summercrest Assisted Living, which are free but require reservations.
• Historical Significance of Newport: Newport has a rich 260+ year history shaped by its citizens’ contributions in areas like agriculture, industry, the Civil War, and local innovation, with a population now around 6,500.
• Dexter Fire Pumper: The “Dexter” fire pumper, Newport’s first fire department equipment from 1832, is now under the care of the Newport Historical Society following the disbanding of the Newport Firefighters’ Association; it remains on display at Bar Harbor Bank.
• Parlin Field: Parlin Field is one of New Hampshire’s oldest public-use airports, originally established as Austin Corbin Field and renamed after a major donation from Albert N. Parlin’s widow; it was acquired by the town in 1939 and still serves a variety of aviation needs.
• Albert N. Parlin: Parlin was a successful businessman and philanthropist with deep ties to Newport and Everett, MA; his legacy includes major contributions to local infrastructure, charitable bequests, and a code of ethics still displayed at Everett Middle School.
• Community Artifacts: The Society recently received a needlepoint chair made by Helen Ruby Neal Dorr, illustrating Newport’s tradition of craftsmanship and personal histories preserved through local donations.
• Ongoing Historical Programs: Upcoming “Newport NH Chronicles” events will cover topics such as Parlin Field’s history, Civil War diaries, local newspapers, and the Dexter fire pumper, fostering community engagement with Newport’s past.
• Winter Carnival Tradition: Newport hosts the nation’s longest consecutively running town winter carnival, with extensive historical records and memorabilia preserved by the Society.

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Check out our Events Calendar to keep informed of upcoming events!