Wentworth-Brown House Greeted With New Ideas, Programming

Nov 10

Bernie Marvin

Visiting the recent Open House at the recently refurbished Wentworth-Brown House at Haverhill Corner are left to right, Tim Smith and The Reverend Canon David Lee Carlson and Heritage Baker Molly Sharp of the local Bakestere offering unique cookies to visitors during the Wentworth Brown Grand Opening. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Haverhill Corner, NH – For as long as most residents here in this small, picturesque part of Haverhill can remember, they never knew what would happen to the old Wentworth-Brown House that anchors the south end of the South Common.

Over the years, and as the subject of conversation for various committees and groups involved in rehabilitating the historic structure (the second-longest building in the entire State of New Hampshire), they kept saying, “She's a beauty, but what can we do with her?”

Well, after last weekend, which was the time for the official Grand Opening of the mansion, there are now plenty of ideas for many ways to use this gorgeous building that has been brought back to life from a wreck of a place to a handsome, useful, classic structure thanks to the efforts (and money) of many people from a wide expanse of territory.

The many storied events with the Wentworth-Brown House have been organized by Haverhill Heritage, working with Court Street Arts; this is all one involved group of folks over the years who have worked hard to see the efforts of many come together for the nailed-down future of this once lovely functional home and farm alive and well in Early America.

As visitors' vehicles lined up and patrons trekked into the house, a long list of program options awaited them, including guided tours, lots of food, and great cookie delights from Molly Sharp and her incredible bakery, Bakestere.

There was also live music, a silent auction, raffle, and more, all available inside this spacious 1790 and 1820 classic New Hampshire building that includes the grand house, the original farmhouse, an inside hennery and privy with a huge barn that totals up to more than 200 linear feet, all well used and to be classically landscaped once spring of 2027 arrives.

Executive Director Rachel Buchanan told me during the Grand Opening that there are many ideas for the future uses of the house and grounds that include Sunday brunches, musical and theatrical performances at regular intervals, conversational gatherings, book clubs, weddings, anniversaries, events on the spacious lawns and events in the barn, to cite just a few.

She said there are many opportunities for events of all types, sizes, and purposes that can be held on the grounds, fitting the style of the building and its surroundings, such as coffee and tea gatherings, game nights, wine tastings, reading clubs, garden clubs, and more.

There is currently a card of events set for the Wentworth-Brown House and grounds, including an appearance by comedian Juston McKinney on November 11; Rought and Tumble on November 21; December 5: Singer, songwriter and storyteller; December 11: Low Key; and December 18: Charlie Brown Christmas.

The estate honors the last long-term resident, Reverend Colonel James Good Brown, who lived to be 107, and his lovely wife, Valerie Wentworth Brown, a direct descendant of two colonial-era New Hampshire governors.