Published Histories

This 230-page book tells the story of our overlooked but extraordinary community and offers a glimpse into the lives of some of our citizens, culture, and the milestones that shaped our town. Well-researched, the book is beautifully illustrated with more than 100 historic and contemporary photographs, paintings, and drawings.

Topics include accounts and information about the Town of Sharon’s past: its indigenous inhabitants, women’s lives, disasters, health and illness, mills, schools, natural areas, governance, artists, and tradespeople, and much more.

“Our special community, which was settled in the 18^th century by brave and rugged individuals, has a fascinating backstory, an uncommon number of distinguished citizens, and many beautiful places,” said author Gina Goff. “My aim was to describe and showcase them in an engaging and elegant way.”

The Lost Village book takes its title from the headline of a 1920s newspaper article about Sharon, New Hampshire when it was populated by just over twenty people. While the Town of Sharon remains one of those very small New England towns that might be passed by, it is a lovely and interesting place that is most definitely not lost.

The Lost Village – A History of Sharon, New Hampshire is available from Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and the Jaffrey Public Library. Ask for it at the Toadstool Bookshop.

In the year 1859, Myra Moore was 21 years old.  With no training, and a long walk (in a long skirt) from home to the one-room Brick Schoolhouse in Sharon, New Hampshire, she rang a handbell to call the students, called “scholars,” to her classroom to start their day.

There’s no question that teachers have an enormous influence on the lives of children along with what and how they learn.  In the early days of the Town of Sharon, this was especially true.  Yet teachers like Myra worked in one-room schoolhouses under challenging conditions and were paid a pittance.

A Long Walk to the Classroom tells the story of some of the town’s teachers whose dedication was admirable and worthy of documenting.  It describes the simple buildings (of which only one remains) where they devoted so much time and energy, and beyond that, it pieces together their stories.

The book also offers glimpses into what the school days were like. It illustrates the lives of several early students whose families and community valued education as a means to a better life.  Its ten chapters are illuminated with more than 100 photographs, paintings and engravings.

A Long Walk to the Classroom, The History of One-Room Schools, Teachers and Students in Sharon,   New Hampshire is available at the Toadstool Bookshop, online retailers and the Jaffrey Public Library.

Sliptown: The History of Sharon New Hampshire 1738 – 1941, by H. Thorn King, Jr.  It was privately printed by the author in 1965.

Available on Amazon and possibly the Toadstool Bookstore in Peterborough NH.

The Secret of Sharon: An Overview of the History and Character of the Town of Sharon, New Hampshire. Relying heavily on much of the information in Thorn King’s book, The Secret of Sharon was written in 1991 by Abram T. Collier as part of the town’s Bicentennial Celebration.

It’s available on Amazon and possibly the Toadstool Bookstore in Peterborough NH.