About Us

 The Sunapee Historical Society’s  mission is to bring together people interested in the history of the town of Sunapee and in the collection,  preservation and exhibition of documents, photographs and artifacts about Sunapee.  We are guided by the idea that community life is  strengthened by an appreciation and understanding of our social and cultural history. From a colonial farming community, to a water-powered  industrial village, to a glorious summer lake resort with grand hotels and steamboat service, Sunapee’s history is fascinating. 

 A historical society for Sunapee was first proposed during the Town’s 1968 bicentennial celebration and was organized in 1973 by Charles Hill,  Joseph and Jo Hill, Mrs. Harry Barnes, Bill and Eileen Stocker, Stuart and Lois Gallup, Charles Boyce, and others. The Society was incorporated  in 1978. 

 ‍In April 1980, Fay H. Osborne donated the former Flander’s Stable in Sunapee Harbor, built by his great-grandfather, Wallace W. Flanders, as  home and museum for the society. Restoring the building took the volunteer efforts of many individuals, with Fay Osborne and Norman  Perkins leading the way. Unfortunately, Fay did not live to see the  museum’s opening during the summer of 1983, but the building and its collection endures, as does Fay’s spirit and dedication to preserving  the graceful, slower paced, way of life that once thrived in Sunapee. 

 Our collection includes documents, photographs and historical items, including artifacts from Sunapee’s grand hotel and steamboat era and its  earlier manufacturing era when the Sugar River powered more than 20 industries.