Boston & Maine Section House Acquisition
What is a section house?
A section house is a building or house-like structure located near or next to a section of railroad tracks that was used for housing railroad workers, or for the storing and maintenance of equipment for a section of railroad. These buildings were once located all along the railroads that existed in New Hampshire from the 1890's to the 1960's.
Where is the section house now?
The section house pictured above was located on the TDS Telecom property at the corner of Pine Street and Kearsarge Avenue in Contoocook Village. Believe it or not, this building sat on its original foundation in the location it was erected by the Boston & Maine Railroad company, likely in the 1890's. The building was being used as a storage shed for the telephone company with no plans to keep the building as the company planned to make some property and driveway changes which required the building to be removed. Our organization acquired, moved, and began restoring this historic structure. Future uses will be storage, workshop, museum demonstrations and more!
A section house is a building or house-like structure located near or next to a section of railroad tracks that was used for housing railroad workers, or for the storing and maintenance of equipment for a section of railroad. These buildings were once located all along the railroads that existed in New Hampshire from the 1890's to the 1960's.
Where is the section house now?
The section house pictured above was located on the TDS Telecom property at the corner of Pine Street and Kearsarge Avenue in Contoocook Village. Believe it or not, this building sat on its original foundation in the location it was erected by the Boston & Maine Railroad company, likely in the 1890's. The building was being used as a storage shed for the telephone company with no plans to keep the building as the company planned to make some property and driveway changes which required the building to be removed. Our organization acquired, moved, and began restoring this historic structure. Future uses will be storage, workshop, museum demonstrations and more!
What will the work consist of?
Phase One: Explore possible relocation options by the CRA Board. Present a proposal to the Hopkinton Select Board for location options and lease agreement. First presentation in August, 2018 - Link to presentation here. Final presentation and agreement. COMPLETED - September 17, 2018
Phase Two: Tree removal. The agreed location is situated along the woods line closest to the river as this will not interfere with parking, the farmers market, band concerts, etc. Two dead trees and one living tree will be removed along the woods line to make way for the section house. COMPLETED - June 4, 2019
Phase Three: Prepare foundation. The section house currently stands on pillars and railroad ties. This was standard practice for these buildings. We will prepare the new foundation with retired railroad bridge timbers that were acquired from Warner, NH in 2018. This will provide a historically accurate footing as well as keep the building slightly elevated to help protect against the elements. COMPLETED - June 30, 2019
Phase Four: Move the building. We are working with a local business owner (Herrick Millwork) to move the section house from the TDS property to the new location. The transportation of the building will be performed using a very large industrial fork lift which will pick up the building and be able to safely transport and place the building on the new foundation. COMPLETED - July 6, 2019
Phase Five: Restoration. The section house has spent many years in its current state. Once the section house is moved to the new location, we will quickly get to work by replacing the roof, fixing trim, and repainting the structure to match the color scheme of the depot, the traditional Boston & Maine colors: cream and maroon. Ongoing...
Wish to contribute to this project? Click here.
Phase One: Explore possible relocation options by the CRA Board. Present a proposal to the Hopkinton Select Board for location options and lease agreement. First presentation in August, 2018 - Link to presentation here. Final presentation and agreement. COMPLETED - September 17, 2018
Phase Two: Tree removal. The agreed location is situated along the woods line closest to the river as this will not interfere with parking, the farmers market, band concerts, etc. Two dead trees and one living tree will be removed along the woods line to make way for the section house. COMPLETED - June 4, 2019
Phase Three: Prepare foundation. The section house currently stands on pillars and railroad ties. This was standard practice for these buildings. We will prepare the new foundation with retired railroad bridge timbers that were acquired from Warner, NH in 2018. This will provide a historically accurate footing as well as keep the building slightly elevated to help protect against the elements. COMPLETED - June 30, 2019
Phase Four: Move the building. We are working with a local business owner (Herrick Millwork) to move the section house from the TDS property to the new location. The transportation of the building will be performed using a very large industrial fork lift which will pick up the building and be able to safely transport and place the building on the new foundation. COMPLETED - July 6, 2019
Phase Five: Restoration. The section house has spent many years in its current state. Once the section house is moved to the new location, we will quickly get to work by replacing the roof, fixing trim, and repainting the structure to match the color scheme of the depot, the traditional Boston & Maine colors: cream and maroon. Ongoing...
Wish to contribute to this project? Click here.
