revitalization

Editor’s Note

In 2002, Michael Behrendt, Rochester, New Hampshire’s city planner, undertook a series of articles for the Rochester Times on the city’s architecture that continued as a biweekly series of 28 articles, rather than the planned four or five. The book, The Architectural Jewels of Rochester New Hampshire: A History of the Built Environment, was published in October 2009, building on and adding to that original series.

The Capital Regional Development Council, known as CRDC, is a statewide nonprofit economic development corporation with more than 50 years of success offering a variety of economic development and business financing services. CRDC is a collaborative organization that partners with a variety of communities, agencies and businesses to facilitate job-creating and tax-base-improving projects.

Cities and towns throughout New Hampshire are becoming increasingly mindful of the importance of preserving their historic character. Inspiring stories abound, such as the remarkable rescue of the Colonel Paul Wentworth House, circa 1701. Originally built in what is now Rollinsford, in 1936 the house was moved to Dover, Massachusetts. When new owners wanted to demolish the house in 2001, they donated the house to the Town of Rollinsford. Local citizens raised funds and moved the house—board by board—back to Rollinsford, to within yards of its original location.