On Saturday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m., history buffs and those looking to explore the outdoors are invited to join the Londonderry Historical Society for the second Musquash Cellar Hole Walk, led by tour guide and Musquash Historian Dr. David J. Ellis.
Dr. Ellis is a longtime resident of Londonderry and the author of “Cellar Holes, Roads and Features in the Musquash.” The Londonderry Historical Society is fortunate that he continues to explore and research historical sites in and around the Musquash Conservation Area.
Ann Chiampa, the Curator of the Londonderry Historical Society, explained that she organized this event because of her love of researching the history of Londonderry and the Musquash Cellar Holes. “I knew that Dr. Ellis had been giving tours at Conservation Commission events, so I decided to ask if he would give a tour for the Historical Society,” she said. Dr. Ellis agreed, and the first Musquash Cellar Hole Walk was held in April of this year after he and Chiampa walked through the area a number of times to find the perfect path to lead a group down.
“We had 43 people at the last walk,” Chiampa explained, “and we’re hoping to have a similar turnout on Saturday. We’re looking forward to the event and keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!”
The tour will begin at the end of Rolling Ridge Road and will go through the northern area of the Musquash. It will then cross the brook onto the old onto the road laid out in 1972, southwest toward Thornton’s Ferry. Then, Dr. Ellis will lead the group right onto the road to Reed’s Ferry to visit former farm and homes on the Annis and Wheeler, Israel Mullins, and Blodgett and Plummer homesteads to learn about the families who onced lived there.
The final stop will be the high precipice, which was one the northeast corner of Old Dunstable and Brenton’s Farm. This was granted in 1656 by the Province of Massachusetts Bay and once included land both east and west of the Merrimack River.
“The Massachusetts and New Hampshire border was established in 1740, but residents did not settle their disputes until long after that,” Chiampa said. “It’s interesting to think about what was happening along the trail about 300 years ago.”
Those interested in participating should expect the tour to take two hours. This time will include walking, discussion, and exploration of the various historical sites along the way. Supportive walking shoes are recommended, and participants should dress for the weather and prepare for the surroundings. This includes bug and tick spray. Participants should bring their own water bottles, but Chiampa will be providing homemade cookies at the start of the walk.
It should be noted that there will be a rain date of Sunday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m. For weather updates and more information, check the Londonderry Historical Society’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TownOfLondonderryNHHistoricalSociety.