Founded 1921
The first meeting of the Peacham Historical Association was held on May 29, 1916, when it was decided to organize such a society and officers were chosen with M.W. Chaffee as president. At the second meeting, on September 16, 1916, the Executive Committee was instructed to prepare a constitution and by-laws, which were approved on the following February 17. The Association was incorporated August 11, 1921.
Throughout its history, the PHA continues to preserve, protect and present the vast history of the town of Peacham. The PHA is supported by a membership that expands across the United States.
The Peacham Historical Association is a non-profit 501c3 corporation.
It is overseen by a nine-member Board with officers and trustees elected by the membership at the annual meeting. It is staffed by volunteers with assistance from Board committees.
PHA forms an important research resource for all Peacham residents and collects, preserves and makes available a wide variety of materials documenting the history and people of Peacham. PHA’s manuscript and archival collections, housed in the Old Town Office, span Peacham’s history from its settlement in 1776 to the present. The collections are especially strong in materials related to the Civil War. The collections include about 5000 manuscripts, archival and library materials, 1000 photographic images, 500 textiles and costumes, and 20 film and sound recordings. The Association’s artifacts encompass 500 furniture and decorative-arts objects, 500 ceramics and glass objects, 20 arms and weapons, 100 pieces of industrial machinery and numerous archaeological artifacts excavated during the restoration of the Ashbel Goodenough Blacksmith Shop. The Association also holds 20 paintings, watercolors and prints relating to the history of Peacham.
The Association has been an active publisher over the course of the last fifty years. In addition to the books listed below, PHA also issues a newsletter, The Peacham Patriot, twice a year and has published a series of small pamphlets.
Publications of Peacham History
While the history of the Town of Peacham is documented in the extensive collections of the Peacham Historical Association, there are several publications which specifically address the Town’s history. These volumes are described on our Publications page.