Nashua Signs — page 9
9 November 2021
Mine Falls /Nashua Manufacturing Company 1886 Gatehouse
Mine Falls Park consists of 325 acres of primarily undeveloped land in the center of Nashua, NH,
located primarily between the Nashua River and a canal system. In 1823, the Nashua
Manufacturing Company purchased the land (that is now the park) in order to construct a canal
and gate system to power a mill complex that would manufacture textiles. In 1824, the Nashua
Canal and Mill Pond were hand dug in order to convey the Nashua River water to the
manufacturing facilities. In 1886, the gatehouse was constructed as part of this canal system. The
Nashua Canal, Mill Pond and the gatehouse are on the list of National Register of Historic Places.
The gatehouse was in disrepair and, in part due to the interest of the Fairgrounds Middle School
Historic Preservation Team, federal grant money was awarded to partially restore the building and
surrounding area.
A Historic Preservation Study of the gatehouse, completed in January 2006, was conducted to
obtain an inventory of both the interior and exterior of the building, to summarize the physical
evolution of the building and evaluate the importance of the architectural, structural, mechanical,
and archaeological components of the gatehouse. Recommendations for the historic preservation
and physical restoration of the structure were made and prioritized as part of the study. Based on
the available funding, the design of Phase I of the restoration and preservation of the gatehouse
began in January 2007 by the Louis Berger Group of Manchester, NH and in March 2008
construction of the improvements began by Engelwood Construction Company of Bedford, NH.
Improvements included interior and exterior cleaning, roof replacement, pointing and replacement
of bricks; replacing windows and doors; installation of railings; replacing wooden stairs to the
sluice area, updating the electrical supply while preserving the old components; installation of
safety and emergency systems, and rehabilitating the mechanical furnishings in the gatehouse.
The gatehouse is significant for its unique and refined construction methods, integrity of design
and materials and surviving mechanical equipment integral to the design and function of the
building. The surviving components represent the evolution of the operation of sluice gates from
manual power through early and later electrical systems and therefore provide insight into the
changing technologies and equipment associated with such specialized structures. The gatehouse
is located at one of the main entrances to Mine Falls Park. Now that the gatehouse has been
partially restored and with its location in a highly used and well-maintained area in the park, the
gatehouse can be a focal point to Nashua’s past.
Since 1998 when the Fairgrounds Middle School Student Historic Preservation Team (SHPT)
showed an interest in preserving the gatehouse, the project became an entity in the community that
many within the City and outside the City could embrace. Mary Coe Foran, teacher advisor and
the SHPT (over one hundred students through the 10-year process) led the charge to get interest in
the project and provide comment and input at all stages. Funding of the work was provided by a
HUD grants spearheaded by Sen. Judd Gregg. Dr. James Garvin gave wonderful direction to the
student group in the early stages Nashua and was an avid supporter through the completion of the
project. Dean Shallop and others at the Nashua Telegraph wrote articles throughout the ten years
it took to complete the project. City leaders- three mayors, alderman, staff of the Parks,
Engineering, Community development (Others) took necessary action through the different phases
to get the project done.
