Old House Awards to be presented in BF

BELLOWS FALLS — The Rockingham Historic Preservation Commission will host a reception for the town's 2018 Old House Award winners Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Wunderbar, 22 Rockingham St., Bellows Falls.

The public is invited to meet the winners and learn about the 2019 awards contest, which will kick off in the spring.

These annual awards sponsored by the commission are designed to recognize property owners in the town of Rockingham who are maintaining and restoring their historic homes and commercial and industrial buildings.

Eligible properties are older homes and businesses that have been renovated, painted, or otherwise enhanced on the exterior in the past five years. Brass plaques are distributed to the winners.

This year's winners are:

• Celia and John Bohannon, owners of the Thompson-Minard House at 23 Pleasant St., Saxtons River. Built in 1900, this home is described as having “an eclectically ornamented design unique in the (Saxtons River) historic district.”

• Mary Fredette, owner of the Dorr and Jennie Thayer House at 10 Front St., Bellows Falls. The home is a Queen Anne Victorian built circa 1893.

• Robert McBride, owner of 82 Canal St., Bellows Falls. This Greek Revival home was built circa 1840.

• OddBellows Corp. owner of 22 Rockingham St., Bellows Falls. Formerly home to the old J.J. Newberry's and Oddfellows Hall, this 1938 commercial building now houses two eating establishments, including Wunderbar.

Those receiving honorable mention by the commission are: David and Dawn Kersula, owners of 6 Temple Place, and Hurricane Acres LLC of Walpole, owner of 227 Rockingham St., both in Bellows Falls.

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