Exeter Town Hall
At the corner of Front and Water Streets, Exeter Town Hall has been a center of public life since 1855. Architect Arthur Gilman designed the red-brick building to accommodate town meetings, court proceedings, and community gatherings. Its prominent location and substantial architecture reflected the importance of these responsibilities within a growing New England town.
The building’s white columned entrance, tall arched windows, and roof-top cupola give it a distinctive presence. Gilman, a descendant of one of Exeter’s founding families, created a civic building whose appearance conveyed permanence and public purpose. Its combination of town hall and county courthouse brought local government and judicial business beneath the same roof.
Lady Justice stands above the cupola, recalling the building’s original courthouse function. The statue formed part of Gilman’s design when the hall was constructed. Positioned high above the streets, the figure made the administration of justice a visible part of the town center.
Exposure to New England weather has required repairs and replacement over the years. The original statue was lowered for repairs following a storm in 1917. After Hurricane Bob severely damaged it in August 1991, a replacement matching its appearance was installed in July 1992, maintaining the familiar silhouette above the building.
Beyond government and court business, the hall has provided a place for public expression and shared activity. Its main gathering space continues to accommodate meetings, plays, and other events. That continuing use connects the building with its nineteenth-century purpose: a place where residents come together to discuss concerns, conduct business, and participate in the life of Exeter.
Read More From Nancy
Exeter’s Black Heritage
Near the entrance to Swasey Parkway, a bronze marker honors Exeter’s early Black community and the Revolutionary War veterans who helped shape it. In the first federal census of 1790, Black residents constituted nearly five percent of Exeter’s population—the highest proportion recorded in any New Hampshire town. Their history connects military service, family life, commerce, […]
Odd Fellows Hall and the Burlingame Block
Two names on this Water Street building reveal different chapters of its history. “Burlingame” identifies the commercial block, while “Odd Fellows Hall” recalls its association with a fraternal organization. Built around 1874, the three-story brick structure combined downtown business space with rooms above, bringing commercial and community activities together under one roof. The building’s elaborate […]
The Squamscott House
The substantial brick building at 24 Front Street has served Exeter as a hotel, student residence and place of political gathering. Known historically as the Squamscott House and later as Gorham Hall, it connects the town with the organizing efforts that preceded the emergence of the Republican Party. The present building dates to 1851. Abraham […]
