The history of the Dana Meeting House is deeply rooted within the local New Hampton community and beyond. The articles listed below provide a written history that has been shared by previous generations. We hope to preserve this history and expand on it so the building can be appreciated for generations to come.
Pictures on the Wall: An Old Home Day Message
The following message was delivered at the Dana Meeting House for New Hampton's Old Home Day Service on August 11th, 2024, by Tom Smith, founder of the Dana Meeting House Association: Many of you are probably wondering why I am standing in this pulpit. I am not a preacher, or a student of the Bible. However, the seven men I will be speaking about were. They accepted the call from God to teach the Gospel to our forefathers. Most speakers begin with an old story, so here goes: One day a young man decided to take his small boat for a little voyage in the ocean. Unfortunately, he fell asleep while floating in the calm sea. He was awoken by a sudden squall and realized that he had floated far out to sea. He then found that his motor had run out of gas, and his oars had been washed overboard. Knowing that he was in trouble, he turned to God asking him to come rescue him. A few minutes later, a large cargo ship passed by and offered to help him. His reply was “No,” that God will come and save him, so they sailed on. Shortly after that, a Coast Guard helicopter hovered overhead and called out that they would lower a rope down to rescue him. Once again, his answer was the same and turned them away saying that God would come rescue him. After hours of waiting, he cried out to God, “Why haven't you come [...]
Historical Sketch of Dana Meeting House
The early 1800’s must have been busy years in this community. New homes were being built, new fields cleared, stone walls laid, and roads constructed. Many of the early dwellings were probably being replaced with more substantial houses and the virgin pine forests were being cut down to provide the lumber. Sawmills, shingle mills and grist mills lined even the smaller streams of the town.
Dana Meeting House History- Prepared by Thomas R. Smith
In the year 1780, under the leadership of Elder Benjamin Randall, the Freewill Baptist movement spread through New England. In 1779 Elder Winthrop Young came to the New Hampton, New Hampshire area and held revivals in homes and schoolhouses.
Granite State Monthly Article – November 1900
Remote from the village, in the town of New Hampton, stands the Dana Meeting-house which reaches the one hundredth year of age this fall, and which is truly a relic of by-gone days. It is located in a wild and romantic place, surrounded by the ancient homesteads of its builders, and where even the roadside and forests seem to impress one with a sense of the antiquity of the place.