A Guide To The Most Historic Buildings in Meredith, NH

Meredith, New Hampshire, is a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the numerous jewels of the state's vaunted Lakes Region. Offering access to countless outdoor adventures and stunning lake and mountain views, this historic town is a captivating place to visit and an idyllic place to call home. As the gateway to New Hampshire's majestic White Mountains, Meredith is a genuine four-season destination, each season painting the town in a new, breathtaking palette.

Beyond its natural allure, Meredith's rich history and welcoming community imbue it with a unique sense of place. Historic buildings line its walkable village streets, where friendly faces greet visitors and residents alike. This blend of beauty, community, and heritage makes Meredith an outstanding place to explore a history that dates back to the country's colonial days. In this guide, Duston Leddy will take you through an unforgettable tour of the most historic buildings in Meredith.

45 Main Street

The Ladd Block, at 45 Main Street, is a cornerstone of Meredith's lengthy historical narrative. Built in 1812 by Abel Kimball, a saddler, this building showcases early American pegged timber framing techniques—a testament to the enduring craftsmanship brought from Europe. Initially serving dual purposes as home and shop, in 1854, the building was acquired by Seneca Ladd, becoming a hub of activity as it housed his piano and melodeon business. It later hosted the Meredith Village Savings Bank and the Meredith Post Office, becoming a key social and economic center until the mid-20th century. Now home to the Meredith Historical Society, the building continues to serve the community, preserving its rich local history.

4 Highland Street

A few steps from the Historical Society Building, Meredith's Congregational Church, affectionately known as the "North Church" or "White House," stands out amid New England's extensive collection of well-preserved, early American churches. Originally built around 1815 and relocated several times, its current resting place since 1842 showcases its prominent white spire that punctuates Meredith's village landscape. Adjacent to the church, the Beede House at 12 Highland Street, built in 1867, is a stunning example of Italianate architecture. It remains in the hands of the Beede descendants, further enriching Meredith's history with continuity and family legacy.

51 Main Street

The Sanborn Block at 51 Main Street has been a focal point of Meredith's village life since its construction in 1841. Originally built for Dr. Jeremiah Smith, this building later hosted Dr. George Sanborn's medical practice and, subsequently, his son's ventures—a printing company and the Meredith News. The building also included a drug store, notable for its original stained glass windows featuring a mortar and pestle, symbolizing its long-standing service to the community's health needs. Today, the front addition is home to the locally owned Lake Effect boutique, continuing its tradition of fulfilling the town's needs, whatever they may be.

91 Main Street

The Meredith Public Library, established in 1900 through Benjamin M. Smith's generous donation of $10,000, is housed in a Classical Revival building designed by George Swan. Its architectural elegance, characterized by a hipped roof, pilastered corners, and decorative corbelling, underscores its cultural importance. The library's cornerstone status in the community is highlighted by its placement on the National Register of Historic Places and its expansions in 1988 and 2021, reflecting its evolving role as a center of learning and community engagement.

17 Lake Street

The oldest house in Meredith Village was built around 1800 by the second village blacksmith, William Morse. It later became the residence of Dr. John Sanborn, the village's first physician, adding layers to its historical significance through its associations with early medical practice.

109 Main Street

Constructed circa 1812 by village canal builder John Bond Swasey, this house served as a residence and a pivotal structure in Meredith's manufacturing history. It reflects the typical early 19th-century home design and features a distinctive two-story side porch that is a nod to Southern architectural influences.

4 Waukewan Street

Built around 1813 by Meredith's first resident attorney, this house is a prime example of early 19th-century architecture. It features a picturesque barn and a granite hitching post, hinting at the village's rustic past. Its movement within the village in 1897 from its original place of construction illustrates the fluidity of Meredith's architectural landscape.

312 Daniel Webster Highway

The mills along the Waukewan Canal, established in 1787, are foundational to Meredith's development as a manufacturing center. The village mills have seen various uses over the centuries, from grist and lumber mills to a cotton-processing plant and piano factory, among many others. The building that today houses the Mill Falls Marketplace was constructed in 1833 as a cotton mill and sits adjacent to a still active 40-foot waterfall that powered the area mills as it flowed into the Waukewan Canal. 

61 Winona Road

Ten minutes southwest of Meredith Village, this church, built around 1802 and remodeled in 1848, is an exemplary model of mid-19th-century Greek Revival architecture. Known historically as the Oak Hill Free Will Baptist Church (also called the Pottle Meetinghouse), the Meredith Historical Society repurposed it, first as its headquarters from 1950 to 1994 and then in 1998 as a farming museum showcasing historical farming tools and continuing its legacy as a community cornerstone.

80 Pease Road

Finally, we end our journey of historic buildings in Meredith with one of the town's oldest structures, The Nutmeg Inn. Originally the Eliphalet Rawlings Homestead dating back to 1763, the Nutmeg Inn has evolved through numerous incarnations—from a tavern to a leader training and conference center for the Girl Scouts. Today, it operates as a bed and breakfast, encapsulating more than 2½-centuries of Meredith's social and economic transitions, surrounded by 7 acres of lush gardens and featuring traditional New England hospitality.

If you're interested in discovering more about Meredith, including finding your own historical property, contact Duston Leddy Real Estate today to start your real estate journey. Allow our team's experience and expertise to help you navigate Meredith's historic residential landscape to find your ideal luxury home.