Harrisville Historic District

Harrisville Historic District is a former textile village in southwest New Hampshire with more than 135 buildings spanning several hundred acres, including granite mills, worker housing, churches, and shops from the 1800s. These structures remain intact and show how a mill-based community was organized.

The site began in 1774 as a grist and saw mill along a stream. Textile manufacturing expanded significantly later and dominated the village until early in the 20th century.

The settlement carries names tied to its mill-owning families and reveals how textile production shaped community life. You can see where workers and their families lived in modest houses clustered near the mills, creating tight neighborhoods.

You can explore the area on foot and see inside many former mill buildings, which now serve as offices, artist studios, and apartments. Some buildings are open to visitors while others are private, so look for signs indicating access.

The Cheshire Mill No. 1 building is constructed from granite, a local material that gave the mills unusual durability and strength. This granite construction sets the site apart from other textile villages across the country.

Location: Harrisville

GPS coordinates: 42.94500,-72.09360

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:46