The Northern New England chapter studies and tours past and present industrial archeological sites in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. From the earliest waterpowered mills in the 1600's to a wooden shoe peg mill today, this region has a rich history of American innovation and industry.

These sites range from small town waterpowered mills, to brick textile mills and industrial revolution factories that once produced thousands of items for everyday use. Also the chapter explores regional sites such as quarries, kilns, bridges, canals and railroads..

Each year our chapter spends two days touring these sites, publishes two chapter newletters, and hosts a bi-annual conference. Recently we've seen roof slates still split by hand, shaker boxes cut and shaped using 1850's machinery, the locks and canal remains from an 1830's Maine transportation canal, the last wooden shoe peg mill in the world, and the lost villages of Monson and Livermore, in N.H.

Members visit the ruins of past industries and learn their history and impact on society at that period of time. Recording and mapping of these sites may also take place. Current niche historic industries struggling to survive against global competition is often part of the spring and fall meetings and tours.

The bi-annual conference presents more in depth information of these now forgotten industries, once the center of American life. The newsletter keeps members informed of upcoming and past events, along with current industrial archeological research.

If you have an interest in visiting and learning more about our historic industries the Northern New England Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology is for you.