For about 30 years spanning the late 19th - early 20th centuries, young women in Exeter were terrorized by the Waterproof Man. In this episode, Barbara examines how the figure(s) both posed a very real threat and took on legendary status.

Educating young Exeter residents has changed substantially over the past 150 years. In this episode, Barbara shares some of the ways Exeter schools were different in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.

A number of U.S. Presidents have visited Exeter, either while campaigning for—or while in—the office. In this episode, Barbara examines why President Ford's 1975 visit was noteworthy (hint: New Hampshire's 1974 Senate race was unusually convoluted).

A solar eclipse occurred on April 8, 2024, and in Exeter, NH, the sun was about 95% blocked for several seconds. In this episode, Barbara examines Exeter's experience of the total eclipse of August 31,1932.

Have you ever pondered how some of the most basic aspects of our society came to be? Like alphabetizing, ZIP codes, or street names? Well, you're on your own for the first two, but in this episode, Barbara explains the history of Exeter's street names.

Did you know that there was a time when Exeter was part of Massachusetts? We're not even kidding. In this episode, Barbara gives the "CliffsNotes" version of how parts of New Hampshire were actually in Massachusetts for periods of the 17th century.

We hear more and more often that the US is becoming a cash-less society. In this episode, Barbara explores how Exeter was largely a cash-less society in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well, but in a very different way.

In the 1970s and early '80s, Exeter was home to a now famous shoe company's factory and research and development department. In this episode, Barbara explores the ways in which the company made its mark on the town of Exeter…and vice versa.

Much like listening to the music of our formative years, looking at old photos has a way of transporting us back through time, even if the period in question was long before we were born. In this episode, Barbara shares the Peter Smith glass plate negative collection from the turn of the 20th century.

One of the simple pleasures of summer is enjoying a cold refreshing beverage on a hot day—and for 75 years, you only needed to visit your local drugstore to find a freshly mixed soda and some company. In this episode, Barbara looks at the rise and fall of the soda fountain as a social hub of the town.

While the town of Exeter is no hotbed of criminal activity, we unfortunately have some sad true crime stories in our history. In this episode, Barbara shares one such story — that of Charles Tash and Sally Moore.

For nearly 100 years, Exeter’s girls went to a different school than the boys. With a generous bequest from a native son, the town built the Robinson Female Seminary. In this episode, Barbara explores the history of the school—how it began, and how it ended.

When we think of women’s contributions to WWII, we often think of the home front — housewives rationing and Rosie the Riveter. While those are examples of valuable contributions to the war effort, we must remember the women who served in the military, as well.

In 1941, producer and NH resident Louis de Rochemont came to Exeter to film a “March of Time” newsreel about pre-war New England; he returned 10 years later with a film crew and famous actors to make "The Whistle at Eaton Falls".

In 1869, nine-year old Black student Madora Bailey signed her name in the Robinson Female Seminary registration book, and ten years later, she was a member of the (small) Class of 1879. In this episode, Barbara explores Dora's journey from young girl to accomplished teacher and wife of Delaware State University President William C. Jason.

Young people have worked in the home, on the farm and for local businesses for centuries, much of the time to the detriment of their formal education. In this episode Barbara explores 18th, 19th and early 20th century child labor practices in Exeter, NH.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, there were relatively few careers open to women — the millinery profession was one of the more accepted and profitable.

In the mid-18th century, slavery was a fixture in Exeter, New Hampshire. After the Revolution, the number of Exeter residents who were enslaved dropped to two (two too many), but that didn’t make the town a friendly place — socially or economically — for its free Black community.

Thomas Jefferson famously celebrated the small independent farmer as the ideal American citizen, and the myth of the yeoman farmer has persisted for centuries. In this episode, Barbara examines the experience of the people living and working on small family farms in Exeter during the 1800s and early 1900s.

In researching the town's 19th century history, it is very helpful to read Benjamin F. Swasey's newspaper articles, which provide more social history and interesting tidbits than we can get in the more traditional sources.

Have you ever been frustrated when driving in downtown Exeter, cursing the lack of parking available? Well, so have we. But we are grateful for one thing—parking is free. For 23 years in the mid-20th century, it was not.

In 1975, as the US was gearing up to observe the Bicentennial, towns all over the country were finding ways to celebrate on a local scale. Exeter chose to make a town quilt, which is now in the historical society's collection. In this episode, Barbara explores the mysterious backstory of our Bicentennial quilt.

Every summer, the Exeter Brass Band performs every Monday night in July. Founded in 1847, the band is a town institution with a rich history. In this episode, Barbara tells the story of one of the band members, Edward Tilton, who played in the band for 60 years.

What do you do when you want to incentivize a group of teenagers? You create a competition and offer a cash prize. This is exactly what Robinson Female Seminary's William Burlingame did when he created the Bread Prize, in the 1880s.

Innovative thinker Benjamin Clark Gilman was early Exeter's Renaissance man. Beginning his career as a silversmith, he quickly mastered the trade and moved on to become a clock-maker; when he’d mastered that, he moved on to something else — and, well, you get the idea.

There was a time, not so very long ago, that grand elm trees lined many of Exeter’s streets. In this episode, Barbara answers the questions of when and how they came to be and why they’re not around today.

Who was the most popular horse in Exeter, NH's history? Why, Dick the Fire Horse, of course! Learn more about Exeter's beloved horse in the third episode of our new monthly series, the Exeter History Minute.

The Exeter Historical Society is fortunate to have a vast photo collection, documenting life in Exeter from the 1840s on. In this episode, Barbara discusses early photography.

For our 100th episode, we thought we’d take a walk down memory lane and look at some of the history that we’ve covered in our Exeter History Minutes over the past 8+ years.

In our fourth episode of "Hey, what is that thing", Barbara examines an odd pair of wooden bat-like objects, and much, much more!

In the dark early morning hours of September 3rd, 1965, several people – including two police officers – saw unexplained red lights over and around Exeter. This would come to be known as the "incident at Exeter." For the 50th anniversary of the "incident", Barbara explores this strange occurrence.

What is that little brick building across the river from Swasey Parkway? What IS a powder house? In this episode, Barbara answers these questions and details some of the difficulties and triumphs in caring for this unique structure.