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The Contoocook Riverway Association was established in 1999 and purchased the railroad depot from the town of Hopkinton for one silver dollar that year. During the summer of 2002, the historic Contoocook Railroad Depot and covered railroad bridge began a trip back in time with an extensive renovation to restore them to their 1910 glory. "When you came to Contoocook, you came on the rail" said Chip Chesley, past President. "This was the village's front door and it just seemed natural that it should be restored for the public to enjoy."
The $400,000 restoration project was funded by federal grants administered through the State Department of Transportation and by the tremendous generosity of community donations. The journey took approximately three years. Restoration of the depot building was first - the roof stripped and replaced with wooden shingles that resembled the roof until the 1930's. New exterior siding and paint, followed by the sandblasting and painting of the train signal, or semaphore, brought the building's look back nearly a century.
The depot's surviving interior details include two ticket windows and most of the original walls and ceilings, still covered with tongue-and-groove paneling common in the late 19th century. Over the years, many original items have been returned to the depot by the community such as the enameled blue "Contoocook" station sign, luggage cart, seating bench, and other irreplaceable items.
The covered bridge, which is owned by the State of New Hampshire, has now been restored, fireproofed and a sprinkler system installed. In 2007, a wooden Passenger Coach was donated to the Contoocook Riverway Association and placed on rails behind the depot, as if ready to pass through the bridge once again.
The $400,000 restoration project was funded by federal grants administered through the State Department of Transportation and by the tremendous generosity of community donations. The journey took approximately three years. Restoration of the depot building was first - the roof stripped and replaced with wooden shingles that resembled the roof until the 1930's. New exterior siding and paint, followed by the sandblasting and painting of the train signal, or semaphore, brought the building's look back nearly a century.
The depot's surviving interior details include two ticket windows and most of the original walls and ceilings, still covered with tongue-and-groove paneling common in the late 19th century. Over the years, many original items have been returned to the depot by the community such as the enameled blue "Contoocook" station sign, luggage cart, seating bench, and other irreplaceable items.
The covered bridge, which is owned by the State of New Hampshire, has now been restored, fireproofed and a sprinkler system installed. In 2007, a wooden Passenger Coach was donated to the Contoocook Riverway Association and placed on rails behind the depot, as if ready to pass through the bridge once again.
Our Mission
The mission of the Contoocook Riverway Association is to restore and maintain the Contoocook train depot and its property for the education and enjoyment of the community and its visitors.
Our Board of Directors
Brian Erickson, President - Joined 2014
Steve Lux Jr, Vice President - Joined 2010
David White, Treasurer - Joined 2018
Dottie Brown, Secretary - Joined 2014
Mark Winzeler - Founding member, 1999
Jake Martin - Joined 2016
Fred Nystrom - Joined 2017
Keith Wallace - Joined 2009
The Contoocook Riverway Association is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 8 elected board members each elected for a three year term. The Board is the governing body of the Association and is responsible for the "prudential affairs" of the Association. The Board appoints the Historian who manages the day-to-day operation of the museum on behalf of the Board. The CRA hosts regular monthly meetings as well as an annual meeting in April where all association members can attend, share their views, and vote on Board members.
Steve Lux Jr, Vice President - Joined 2010
David White, Treasurer - Joined 2018
Dottie Brown, Secretary - Joined 2014
Mark Winzeler - Founding member, 1999
Jake Martin - Joined 2016
Fred Nystrom - Joined 2017
Keith Wallace - Joined 2009
The Contoocook Riverway Association is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 8 elected board members each elected for a three year term. The Board is the governing body of the Association and is responsible for the "prudential affairs" of the Association. The Board appoints the Historian who manages the day-to-day operation of the museum on behalf of the Board. The CRA hosts regular monthly meetings as well as an annual meeting in April where all association members can attend, share their views, and vote on Board members.
THE AUDREY & BRUCE GARDNER BOARD ROOM
Both Audrey and Bruce were longtime members of the Contoocook Riverway Association. In 2015, the CRA dedicated our board room to the spirit of Audrey and Bruce Gardner. Their ceaseless working spirit of giving to the CRA, the depot, and the coach, cannot be measured. From Audrey’s planting of the flower boxes and their organizing flea market's, to painting, cleaning, decorating and manning the Depot, we could not have achieved our success without them. And, of course, Audrey - your cookies were always the highlight of our meetings!
In Memoriam:
Audrey S. Gardner - 2012
Bruce Gardner - 2019
In Memoriam:
Audrey S. Gardner - 2012
Bruce Gardner - 2019
Message from the President
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Contoocook Train Depot located in the heart of Contoocook Village in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Our organization has spent the past several years working diligently to restore the depot to its early 1900's appearance. Since our organization began its work back in 1999, we have been able to completely restore the first floor, the exterior of the depot, acquire an original Pullman Coach through a very generous donation in 2007, and complete many smaller projects to benefit the depot.
Additionally, we have completed the renovation project of the second floor, which creates an entirely new educational experience for the community. Opening this space to the public encompassed new display areas as well as a full size meeting and board room. This space also serves the community for small gatherings and functions, as well as create additional exhibits for the education and enjoyment of the public.
Although our organization holds fundraisers and events to raise money, we are in constant need to produce revenue in order to fund the projects that we encounter year after year. It is our hope that you will be able to visit our depot to learn about the history that surrounds our organization, and to consider a small donation to help assist with our efforts.
So, I invite you to explore our website and visit our depot as you pass through town. We host special events to help educate our visitors on the history of the town and the train depot. Don't forget to stop by during the summer and fall months for the farmers market every Saturday morning. Contact us for other ways you can help and volunteer with our organization.
Sincerely,
-Brian Erickson, President
Welcome to the Contoocook Train Depot located in the heart of Contoocook Village in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Our organization has spent the past several years working diligently to restore the depot to its early 1900's appearance. Since our organization began its work back in 1999, we have been able to completely restore the first floor, the exterior of the depot, acquire an original Pullman Coach through a very generous donation in 2007, and complete many smaller projects to benefit the depot.
Additionally, we have completed the renovation project of the second floor, which creates an entirely new educational experience for the community. Opening this space to the public encompassed new display areas as well as a full size meeting and board room. This space also serves the community for small gatherings and functions, as well as create additional exhibits for the education and enjoyment of the public.
Although our organization holds fundraisers and events to raise money, we are in constant need to produce revenue in order to fund the projects that we encounter year after year. It is our hope that you will be able to visit our depot to learn about the history that surrounds our organization, and to consider a small donation to help assist with our efforts.
So, I invite you to explore our website and visit our depot as you pass through town. We host special events to help educate our visitors on the history of the town and the train depot. Don't forget to stop by during the summer and fall months for the farmers market every Saturday morning. Contact us for other ways you can help and volunteer with our organization.
Sincerely,
-Brian Erickson, President
