By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
LOUDON – The Sanborn Mills Farm complex of agricultural and mill buildings and conserved landscape in Loudon, brought back to life by Colin and Paula Cabot’s commitment to preservation, were among the outstanding leaders and preservation projects honored by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.
It held its annual awards on Tuesday.
Individuals and property preservation projects in Chesterfield, Lisbon, Franklin, Hebron and Portsmouth were among the winners.
“These awards represent very exciting growth in the preservation movement,” said Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the Preservation Alliance. “There are such tremendous leaders and projects to be recognized, and the investment, creativity and partnerships embodied in the winners is what we need to take on today’s challenges,” she said.
Sanborn Mills in Loudon, she said is the is a rare survivor of a once-common combination of sawmill, grist mill, blacksmith shop, house, barns and open space.
The property needed care and investment to survive when the Cabots purchased it three decades ago.
“Working with a board and staff, they went beyond preservation to develop an immersive experience for people from around the state and the country to learn about traditional crafts and agricultural practices at the Farm. Beginning with a handful of workshops in the early 2000s, Sanborn Mills Farms now offers more than 130 annual workshops taught by artisans from around the country in wide-ranging areas such as old building trades, fiber arts, and draft-animal handling.
The Cabots also helped start a barn preservation effort in the state and saved other significant threatened landmarks,” Goodman said.
The two other outstanding leaders honored are Stephen Bedard and Thomas Ahearn.
Bedard has rescued and restored dozens of historic buildings dating from the late 17th century through the 1930s, as well as given practical and inspiring advice to save hundreds and hundreds more, Goodman said.
Bedard has put his knowledge to good use on a voluminous number of buildings, including a number of award-winning preservation projects including the Southeast Land Trust’s headquarters in Epping, the Governor Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, Centennial Hall in North Hampton, and the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough.
“His calm but determined approach, practical advice and technical expertise is a winning combination as an educator, advocate and building steward,” according to the Preservation Alliance.
Thomas Ahern was honored not only for his exceptional craftsmanship in historic masonry restoration, but also for his commitment to preserving the knowledge associated with the work.
As owner and lead craftsman of Steppingstones Masonry, he has dedicated more than thirty-five years to the preservation of New Hampshire’s historic masonry buildings. Masonry work is one of several areas of the old building trades in need of new workers.
TEN RESTORATION PROJECTS HONORED
The 2026 slate of winners include the preservation of rare and iconic properties, care of community assets and gathering places, creation of needed housing, and other community development successes.
One property had been previously listed to America’s Most Endangered list, and two of the properties had been previously listed to the Preservation Alliance’s Seven to Save endangered list, due to disinvestment, uncertain futures or possible demolition.
The Chesterfield Historical Society was honored for the rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Stone House Tavern Museum. Built in 1831, this granite landmark retains rare interior features and reflects early building traditions.
The small group stepped up to acquire the prominent property in 2017, and the Society has completed a multi-year effort addressing structural repairs while integrating accessibility and modern systems, reopening the building as both museum with residential spaces.
First Parish Church UCC East Derry received recognition for the restoration and stewardship of its 1769 Meetinghouse. Following decades of deferred maintenance, a long-term comprehensive campaign stabilized and restored the structure—from a new foundation and reconstructed steeple to interior finishes and accessibility improvements—allowing the building to reopen after nearly a decade of closure.
The American Independence Center in Exeter was recognized for its restoration of the Ladd-Gilman House, a National Historic Landmark dating to the early 18th century. Recent work completed in time for America’s 250th anniversary, focused on stabilizing the building envelope, restoring windows and siding, and improving environmental conditions for collections, ensuring the site’s continued role as a center for public engagement.
In Franklin, Easterseals New Hampshire was honored for the rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Military and Veterans Campus at Webster Farm. Once on the National Trust’s Most Endangered list, the historic campus has been transformed into a vibrant residential and service hub for veterans, with multiple buildings rehabilitated and new additions and solar energy thoughtfully integrated.
The Town of Hebron received recognition for the rehabilitation and adaptive use of the Hebron Memorial Chapel and Grange Hall now serving the community as the expanded Town Library and an accessible Community Hub on the Hebron Common.
Hill Center Church Trustees were honored for the restoration of the 1800 Hill Center Church, a rare survivor in a town of just over 1,100 residents that lost many historic resources to a flood mitigation project 80 years ago. Through a renewed organizational effort and community collaboration, the building was stabilized and repaired, preserving this early civic and religious structure that continues to serve the town.
The Lisbon Area Historical Society was recognized for the adaptive use of the former Lisbon Congregational Church Parish House. Acquired in 2021, the building was rehabilitated into a museum and research center. From a small basement room at the Lisbon Public Library to a rented Main Street storefront for nine years before finally finding this gem to purchase as LAHS’s first ever permanent home.
New Castle Congregational Church received an award for the restoration and stewardship of its 1828 church. A comprehensive campaign addressed structural, preservation, and safety needs, ensuring the continued use of this important island landmark, affectionally known as the “Heart of the Community” It continues to be a vibrant and enduring centerpiece preserved with care and sustained by a shared sense of purpose.
Avery and Eliza Woodworth were recognized for the restoration and stewardship of Cheney Farm in Tuftonboro. This iconic, highly-visible farmstead was in severe disrepair when the town Conservation Commission, and then the Woodworths, stepped in to save it. Over five years, the Woodworths undertook a careful, largely self-performed rehabilitation, restoring the barn, farmhouse, and ell in accordance with preservation standards.
Today, the farm is once again an active working landscape, demonstrating how individual commitment and community foresight can sustain historic places.
Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth was also honored for its Sea Level Rise Initiative, a pioneering effort in research, education, and preservation.
Through data collection, partnerships, and on-the-ground interventions, the museum is addressing the growing threat of groundwater and surface water flooding to its historic buildings while sharing strategies locally and nationally. This work positions Strawbery Banke as a leader in climate-responsive preservation.
“We hope this recognition helps inspire even more people and preservation activity,” said Goodman. She noted community and economic benefits of the projects, and the importance of a range of support including grants from the State of New Hampshire, N.H. Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, the N.H. Community Development Finance Authority, N.H. Charitable Foundation, contributions from municipalities, and private investors, private philanthropy, and significant partnerships.