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Loudon, NH: Celebrating 250 Years of History and Progress

Loudon, New Hampshire is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. It was incorporated in 1773 by Governor John Wentworth. The population was roughly 5600 in the 2020 census. One of its large attractions is the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. In honor of their 250-year anniversary, the town commissioned Hampshire Pewter to create a custom ornament. Loudon wanted to feature the town hall so our artists created a design showing the city hall that used to be a church, surrounded by a snow-cloaked ground, church-goers outside and a horse-drawn sleigh.

Alton commissioned Hampshire Pewter to create a custom ornament featuring the water bandstand, one of the few remaining bandstands on inland waters in the entire country. In 1928, Alton Racing Association, a group of boating enthusiasts, had the idea to create a bandstand in the middle of the water.

Dover, New Hampshire: Celebrating 400 Years of History and Heritage

Dover, New Hampshire, a charming city nestled on the banks of the Cocheco River is celebrating its 400^th anniversary, and what better way to honor the occasion than with a beautifully crafter pewter Christmas Ornament. Hampshire Pewter has captured the essence of Dover’s rich heritage by featuring the iconic City Hall on this special ornament. Continue reading to learn about the story of Dover’s four centuries, exploring its past, present and the ongoing celebration commemorating their 400^th anniversary.

St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church - 90 Years!

Founded in 1932, St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, of Troy, NY, is celebrating its 90-year anniversary in 2022. Hampshire Pewter was commissioned to create a commemorative pewter ornament to celebrate the occasion. St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church was started to serve the needs of Greek immigrants living in Troy and the surrounding area. It was officially founded October 26, 1931, the feast day of St. Demetrios. The church enabled the local Greek population to maintain the traditions of their native country in addition to practicing the Orthodox Christian faith. The patronal name of the church is St. Vasilios, chosen by William Vellis, a great benefactor of the church and community.

Soldiers' Monument

Hampshire Pewter has been making an annual Christmas ornament for the Guilford Keeping Society for several years. A few of the landmarks they have featured include the Faulkner Island Light, the Monroe Cottage, the Henry Whitfield House, and the Cranbrook Tower. This year they chose to highlight the Soldiers’ Monument located in the center of the town green. Visit The Keeping Society's webpage and store at https://www.guilfordkeepingsociety.com

Airfield Café Custom Ornament 

The Airfield Café, in North Hampton, NH, requested a custom ornament featuring the restaurant’s logo. After collaborating with our artist, we decided on a circular ornament reading “The Airfield Café,”  “North Hampton, NH,” “Est. 1996.” The center shows their logo, a plane flying backwards with a pilot facing the opposite direction. The Airfield Café is a well-known establishment with a tremendous loyal following.

Praying Hands

 

This ornament is one of three custom designs assigned to us by a loyal patron. It features praying hands over a Bible. Janice is a published author and gives ornaments out as gifts to friends. On the back of the ornament is a magnolia blossom that reads “J. Niki” beneath. This is Janice’s logo and penname for her published books. To find out how she acquired the nickname J. Niki, please read on.

Barrington, NH Completes Series!

2022 marks Barrington, New Hampshire’s 300 year anniversary. For the occasion, the Barrington Tricentennial Committee commissioned Hampshire Pewter to make a series of three custom pewter ornaments with one being released each year leading up to 2022.

Castle in the Clouds

This is the 7^th custom ornament we have made for Castle in the Clouds out of Moultonborough, New Hampshire. The Lucknow House, gazebo, carriage house, and the Falls of Song have all been featured on previous ornaments. For their 2022 ornament, the Castle Preservation Society decided to show the quaint Maple Lodge.

Hampshire Pewter has made many custom ornaments for churches over the years. Last year the First Baptist Church of Brentwood celebrated their 250th anniversary. We worked with the church and our artists to create an ornament featuring their church building. Learn a little about the church's history by clicking below. 

Nottingham, NH Custom Ornament

Nottingham, New Hampshire has commissioned Hampshire Pewter to make a second ornament commemorating the town’s tricentennial. This year they chose to feature the Center School, located on Stage Road directly next to the Nottingham Police Department. The schoolhouse was built in the early 1800s and originally used as a church. Learn more about the Center School by clicking below.

Barrington School

Barrington, New Hampshire is celebrating its’ 300^th anniversary this year. In honor of the occasion, they have commissioned us to create a series of three custom ornaments for them. For the 2021 ornament, they chose to feature Barrington School.

6th Ornament in Series

Each year, we’ve created custom ornaments for the Guilford Keeping Society beginning in 2016. This year, the Cranbrook Tower is featured. It is a cylindrical stone water tower built in 1869. The tower was built to supply water to the Abel Chittenden house at 1 Broad Street in Guilford Connecticut.

For the third in a series of five ornaments celebrating the 400-year anniversary of Dover, New Hampshire, the city chose to feature the Fire Station located on Central Avenue. It was built in 1899 when fighting fires was a lot different than today. It served as the Fire Departments headquarters for over a century. It is still used today.

The Swing Bridge in Milford, NH

The Swing Bridge is a 200 foot iron cable suspended footbridge, spanning the Souhegan River in Milford New Hampshire. Built in 1889, pedestrians continue to use the bridge to this day. It's located on Souhegan St. and crosses the river into downtown near Pine St. The custom ornament was commissioned by the Milford Historical Society.

Castle in the Clouds – 6^th of Series

The Castle Preservation Society has commissioned Hampshire Pewter to do a sixth custom ornament for their Castle in the Clouds series.  The custom piece we have collaborated on features the pergola located at the Lucknow Estate. It shows a flower lined colonnade which borders the Castle Garden. Click below to learn more.

Vandalia Historical Society | Little Brick House

This is our second custom project for the Vandalia Historical Society of Illinois. This year they chose to feature the Little Brick House, a historic home built in the mid-1800s. It has been preserved by Josephine Burtschi, a local artist and historian. Learn more about it by clicking below.

In 1796 Troy became a village and in 1816 it became a city. Lansingburgh, to the north, became part of Troy in 1900. Troy is known as the Collar City due to its history in shirt, collar, and other textile production. It lies on the east bank of the Hudson River. For nearly 40 years, they have held an annual Victorian Santa stroll. This year they had a custom pewter ornament made for the occasion. 

St. George's Independent School - 2021 Ornament

St. George's has commissioned Hampshire Pewter to make several custom pieces over the years including keychains and ornaments. In 2021, the school chose one of our own ornament designs and customized it to make it their own. To read more about St. George's Independent School click below. 

200th Anniversary

We have made many custom ornaments for churches over the years. Our most recent is the First Presbyterian Church of Salem, New Jersey. The church was founded in 1821 and the ornament shows the ornate building. The church is celebrating its’ 200^th anniversary and it was our pleasure to create this ornament for them.

Worcester County Memorial Park | Paxton, MA

In 2021, we had the unique opportunity to create a custom ornament for a cemetery located in Paxton, Massachusetts. This is not merely a cemetery, but a beautiful park and also a community offering vigils, grief groups, seminars, and events. To learn more about Worcester County Memorial Park please click below. 

Hampshire Pewter was excited to create the 5^th custom ornament for the Guilford Keeping Society last year. Each year, the association chooses a historical landmark in Guilford, Connecticut to be depicted on the pewter ornament. For 2020, they chose the Henry Whitfield State Museum. The house was built in 1639 just down from the town green. It is the oldest house in Guilford and the oldest stone house in New England.

Custom Ornament for the Jamestowne Society

Last year, Jamestowne Society exclusively funded the rebuilding of the Barracks Structure, originally built in 1607 at James Fort. They contacted us to create a custom pewter ornament to properly commemorate such a significant historical undertaking. This was our second ornament we have designed for the Jamestowne Society. In 2018, we created a replica of the Jamestown Church Bell which was in commemoration of the 400^th anniversary of the first General Assemply of Jamestown Colony in 1616. Both ornaments are currently available for purchase to members of the Jamestowne Society.

Barrington, NH – Barrington Depot

The Barrington Tricentennial Committee will be marking the 300^th Anniversary of Barrington, New Hampshire with a celebration in 2022. They have assigned us the task of creating a series of three custom ornaments, one of which was released last year. The first ornament features Barrington Depot, the town’s old train station that no longer remains.