Hillsborough was first settled in the middle 18th Century under a grant given to Colonel John Hill of Boston, who lent his name to the settlement. Early settlers came from towns in eastern Massachusetts and from the Scotch-Irish towns in southeastern New Hampshire. By 1772, Hillsborough was incorporated as a town and held its first town meeting.

Jere Daniell, history professor at Dartmouth College, called Hillsborough "a quintessential NH town". Hillsborough is made up of 4 villages: Upper, Lower & Bridge Villages & the Center.

Hillsborough Center
Hillsborough Center served as the center of local life up to the 20th century. It retains the atmosphere of a 19th century New England town, with its central Common, or public green, lost animal pound, horse sheds, burial ground, school house, and churches.

Gone are the 18th century Meeting House that once graced the spot in front of the cemetery and the old lookout tower that offered wide views of the area. What remains is the original nucleus of homes, many still owned by the families that built them, that served as taverns, shops, a post office and a blacksmith. Today they are occupied by artists including a pewtersmith, a Gallery and a well-known auctioneer. For a great view and picnic spot take the North Road (the right hand road after the Center's right fork) and drive 1/2 mile until you see a large clearing on the left. Turn left and drive up to the top of Kimball Hill and behold the view of mountains to the south (locals refer to it as High Mount).

Gibson Pewter
Stepping into this shop is like stepping into the past. See the beautiful pewter items evolve first-hand as a second-generation pewterer masters his craft before your very eyes. Gibson Pewter was founded in 1966 by Raymond Gibson and run as a seasonal family "cottage" business in the picturesque historic hilltop village of Hillsborough Center, N.H. for more than 20 years.

Today, second-generation pewterer, Jonathan Gibson carries on the craft year-round in the same 200 year old barn where he apprenticed as a young boy. Jon is a state juried member of the League of N.H. Craftsmen and has been recognized by Early American Life Magazine as one of Americas 200 top traditional craftsmen since 1992. Gibson Pewter was also featured in Yankee Magazine's Travel Guide as the Editor's Pick as an outstanding reason to visit New England. Over 100 pieces of traditional and contemporary designs are available for sale. Each lead-free piece is made with hands-on care, whether cast, hammered, or spun. The Gibson Fruit Bowl and Wood-grain Beaker were the only pieces of 20th century pewter taken into the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Hillsborough Bridge
Better known as Hillsborough's Downtown, we invite you to take a leisurely stroll through our historic district. Browse through charming gift shops, enjoy an authentic German bakery featured on NH Chronicle, visit a delightful old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, relax in lovely Butler Park and dine in one of our taste-tempting eateries. Discover the charming historic buildings with tin ceilings and view the historic textile mills perched along the banks of the Contoocook River that once made Hillsborough a booming town.

The Franklin Pierce Homestead
Built in 1804 as a home to General Benjamin Pierce, hero of the Revolutionary War, it served as the boyhood home of our 14th President. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), the seventh of nine children, spent a happy childhood in attractive surroundings of gardens and trees. The Homestead is a living museum and has been restored to its early 19th century appearance. The stately home has spacious rooms and features original hand stenciling, 1824 wallpaper, period furnishings and historical mementos of the Pierce family. The house has a grand ballroom and a parlor decorated with imported French wallpaper-symbols of the elegance of the age. Begun as a tavern, the Pierce Homestead soon became a gentleman's home for lively exchange among celebrities of the day-Daniel Webster, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mary Baker Eddy's favorite brother, Albert.

The Homestead is maintained and operated by the Hillsborough Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the history and historic properties of Hillsborough, New Hampshire. The Homestead is open to the public, and is often the site of featured programs sponsored by the society throughout the summer months. Hours: July-August, daily 10-4, Sundays 1-4; June and September, weekends only; open July 4th and Labor Day, 10-4. Entry Fee: Nominal for adults, none for children under 18. For more information, call (603) 478-3165.

The Upper Village
Going north on Rt. 31, passing the Pierce Homestead, the Upper Village consists of a collection of 19th century houses and stores with a distinct small town feel. Many date back to the time of Benjamin Pierce, who is buried in the graveyard just before the village. On the left, within the granite walls, is the old cemetery called Pine Hill & the Pierce family plot is in a prominent position at the forefront. The deed to the Pine Hill cemetery shows that in December of 1826 John McNeil gave land for a "Buryal Yard" to Benjamin Pierce and 35 other proprietors. (A walking tour brochure is offered at the Pierce Homestead.)

The Lower Village
Going south on the 2nd NH Turnpike from the Pierce Homestead, you'll find the Lower Village. This was developed as a stopping point for stage coaches traveling the 2nd NH Turnpike. There was a toll house and gate. Many of the homes here date back to the early 19th century & were home to many notable people such as a founder of American Express, the father of Vaudeville, a railway magnate, & a US President. The first post office was located here on the 2nd NH Turnpike which was built in 1801. The Union Chapel is a noteworthy white clapboard church.

Governor Smith Mansion/Fuller Public Library
One of NH's best late-Victorian houses and once the residence of Gov. John Smith, it now serves as a library and town office. Erected in 1892 the house combines features of the Queen Anne & Colonial Revival styles with irregular plan & varied wall, gable & window treatments. The roof is steep & the chimney, a prominent feature of the facade, is paneled & has stone moldings. Classical detail is seen everywhere on the building & the interior woodwork is elaborately carved. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Kemp's Truck Museum
If you love old Mack Trucks, they are sitting for your inspection along the banks of the Contoocook River. Mr. Kemp started his truck collection in 1954 on the site of his family garage which has been in his family since the late 1800s The "museum" is an open exhibit, and can be found on River Street just off Central Square at Hillsborough Bridge. Turn South at the traffic light, then turn left immediately at the bottom of the hill before passing over the bridge. It is claimed that this is the largest collection of Mack Trucks in the World. There is no charge to view this collection of trucks.