Ask virtually anyone in Exeter and they'll tell you it's a great place to live, work or visit. With a friendliness, openness and rich community spirit that exemplifies traditional American life, Exeter seems at times like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.

With a population of some 15,000, the community spreads over about 20 square miles. Most residents live in or near the downtown area but recent growth is also occuring in new neighborhoods outside the core of the town. With most usable land in the central community already developed, much in-town real estate activity focuses on rehabilitation, renovation and upgrading of existing properties. Exeter's combined taxable property has climbed consistently at a rate of some 15 percent over the past decade. Municipal services have largely kept pace with local growth, although town officials cite growing needs in the areas of municipal water treatment and the fire department as top priorities.

Exeter's household income places it in the top 10 percent of New Hampshire communities. Exeter's residents fall into roughly three age groups each composing one-third of the total population. Individuals up to age 35 compose one third, people ages 35 to 55 compose another third, and those over 55 compose one third.

About two-thirds of Exeter's workforce commute to out-of-town jobs. Exeter is roughly 250 miles from New York City and Montreal, 50 miles from Boston, and 70 miles from Portland, Maine. New Hampshire's beaches are a 10-minute drive and the beautiful White Mountains are within a couple of hours by car.

A RICH HISTORY
Exeter was incorporated in 1638 and is one of four original towns established in New Hampshire. First known as Squamscott, namesake of the predominant local Indian tribe, the town was given the name Exeter by the settlement's earliest organized group of English colonizers.

The community's location along the Squamscott and Exeter Rivers (with access to Great Bay andthe Atlantic Ocean) helped Exeter become a bustling colonial-era shipbuilding center and trading port. Exeter also became an active center of colonial dissent and revolutionary fervor. Sites where locals plotted insurrection, rioted against British occupiers, stored purloined British gunpowder used in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and formed New Hampshire's first state governing body remain parts of the everyday landscape today.

By the time of the first census in 1790, Exeter had grown from its handful of early settlers to a thriving community of 1,722 and already boasted many important historical events and figures. John Taylor Gilman, native son and staunch Federalist, read a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the old Town House when it reached Exeter on July 16, 1776. After the war ended in 1776, President George Washington visited Exeter to formally thank the townspeople for their efforts. You may today visit the historic Folsom Tavern, recently restored and operated by the American Independence Museum, where Washington was entertained

Caption is "The Inn  Where Washington Breakfasted," on a print published circa 1917 by JN Batchelder, Exeter. Building is Folsom Tavern, now part of Exeter's American Independence Museum.

A walk along Exeter's tree-lined streets is an historical ramble. You'll pass the hotel where in 1853 state representative and abolitionist Amos Tuck broke with the Democrats over the question of slavery to form the national Republican party. Nearby is the home where Abraham Liuncoln lodged when visiting son Todd who attended Phillips Exeter Academy. You'll see the tree reputed to be the centerpiece of the famous American novel, A Separate Peace. Cemeteries bear witness to a roll call of famous figures from the pre-Industrial era. Exeter's once-bustling cotton and leather mill is now converted to luxurious riverside apartments. And where once the shipbuilding and port trade flourished, famlies gather to enjoy concerts and municipal events in Swasey Park.

Exeter's main downtown street, Water Street, is lined with attractive shops offering art, clothing, handmade candies, gifts, books, New Hampshire-made crafts, children's toys, furnishings, bicycles, antiques and more. A variety of restaurants are popular gathering spots for locals and tourists alike. A well-preserved movie theater, the Ioka, dates from the early 20th century and shows contempoary films nightly. At the center of town, Exeter's classic bandstand designed by the renowned Henry Bacon and Daniel Chester French is found. French, an Exeter native son, is America's most famous sculptor, having created the figure of Lincoln at the nation's Lincoln Memorial, the statue of the Concord Minuteman and dozens of other iconic American works. Fittingly, the Exter town band performs weekly on the bandstand weekly during the summer. The group is the oldest brass band coninuously in existence in the nation.

History also lives on today at several other downtown sites. the American Independence Museum, where visitors can tour the Ladd-Gilman House, which served as the state treasury during the Revolution. Each summer, Exeter's American Independence Festival is held on the museum grounds and in Swasey Park. Some 10,000 people flock to Exeter for a militia encampment and re-enactment of the Revolutionary War, complete with community concert and gala fireworks over the river.

Exeter's industrial park is the site of light manufacturing firms, offices and other light-use businesses. Commercial and retail businesses are also concentrated on Portsmouth Avenue, Hampton Road and Route 111. Exeter offers a diverse, excellent mix of retail, health care, community services, educational opportunities and recreational programs. Outside of downtown and the main commercial strip, Exeter's landscape combines suburban residential development, generous open space and agricultural uses.

The Amtrak Downeaster passenger train finds Exeter station a popular stop for commuter and visitors, serving communities from Boston to Portland, Maine. A regional bus service and local taxi service complete the public transportation mix.

Exeter is also home to the Phillips Exeter Academy, endowed by Colonel John Phillips in 1781. Since its inception. the academy has been one of the country's most distinguished private secondary schools.

We hope you'll explore Exeter, either in person or through our Web site and the Internet. We are certain the time you spend in Exeter, as a resident or visitor, will be rewarding.

Dan Brown, b. 1962, raised in Exeter, author of "The Da Vinci Code" and other popular novels.

Lewis Cass, born 1782 in Exeter, educated at Phillips Exeter Academy. An American military officer, explorer, and politician who was governor of Michigan among many other posts. He explored amd mapped the northern Michigan Territory, searching for the source of the Mississippi River, which he incorrectly identified as a lake he named after himself. As Secretary of War under President Andrew Jackson, serving until 1836, Cass was a central figure in formulating the Indian Removal policy of the administration. From 1836 to 1842, he was ambassador to France. Cass was the nominee of the Democratic Party for president in 1848 and later served as the the 22nd US Secretary of State.  Cass Street in Exeter is named for him.

Chris Carpenter, born 1975 in Exeter, major league baseball pitcher, 2005 All-Star, 2005 NL Cy Young Award.

Darby Field, first European to climb Mount Washington in 1642 a feat that was not repeated for 150 years. He was likely born in Boston, England, of Irish parents and emigrated to Exeter. Field died in Dover.

Nathaniel Folsom, born in 1726 in Exeter, a merchant and statesman who was a delegate for New Hampshire in the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1777 to 1780, as well as the Major General of the New Hampshire Militia. Folsom invested in timber and opened an Exeter sawmill, later expanding operations to include a general store, shipyard and an import/export business. Folsom several years as moderator of Exeter town meetings. When a revolutionary Assembly, the Provincial Congress, first met on July 21, 1774 he was a delegate. The Provincial Congress, in turn named him their delegate to the first Continental Congress that met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1775, Nathaniel continued his service in the provincial congress, as he would do until 1783. In January 1776 Folwom was appointed a justice of the Rockingham County court of common pleas where he later rose to chief justice. In 1777 and 1779 he was also returned to his old post as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1783 he presided over the New Hampshire's constitutional convention. He held the job of chief judge in Rockingham County until his death in Exeter during 1790. He is buried the Winter Street Cemetery.

Daniel Chester French, born 1850 in Exeter, the son of lawyer Henry Flagg French who seved as Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury. Daniel Chester French is generally recognized as America's greatest sculptor, creating dozens of celebrated works including the iconic statue of the Minuteman at Lexington, MA. French later sculpted the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC. He created the war memorial statue at Exeter's Gale Park called "Mother Town, Soldier Son" which he presented as a gift to the town. French is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, Massachusetts.

John Gilman, built Exeter's famous garrison house about 1700 and was the forbear of generations of Gilmans who were among young America's most important citizens.  Like many first- and second-generation Americans, Gilman's descendants remained sympathetic to England as hostilities mounted. Peter Gilman, for example, John's grandson, fought for Britain in the French and Indian Wars and held brigadier general rank in the local militia. While later serving as speaker of the Assembly in New Hampshire's Royal government, he refused the request of Governor Wentworth in 1768 to deliver a letter of protest to the British. With organized revolt underway by 1774, Peter was a confirmed Loyalist and the Provincial Congress ordered him "confined" to the town of Exeter. Then in his 70s, Peter remained locally respected despite his lack of Patriot fervor and was even elected town moderator in 1775.   John Ward Gilman was an Exeter silversmith who created New Hampshire's first state seal and later served as state postmaster for 40 years after the Revolutionary War. His brother,  Benjamin Clark Gilman, an inventor, produced clocks and silver and designed the Exeter's first water system. Cousin   Joseph Gilman, an active merchant, became a Patriot and hosted meeings of the  Committee of Safety in his home, which stood on the
site of the present Old Town Hall, across from the bandstand. Samuel Adams, seeking funds and and support from Exeter, was a guest of Joseph Gilman's in 1776.

Nicholas Gilman, Sr.,  born 1731 in Exeter, patriarch of the branch of one of Exeter's most important early families that advocated the Patriot cause. An ally and friend of other Exeter  Patriots including Nathaniel Folsom and Enoch Poor. Nicholas was a prosperous merchant and shipbuilder. He also commanded the Exeter militia and was appointed State Treasurer in 1775. His home (currently American Independence Museum,) purchased from Nicholas Ladd in 1752, served as the State Treasury where bills were paid, currency certified and receipts kept in a lockbox that is in its original place and on display today.

John Taylor Gilman, born 1753 in Exeter, eldest son of Nicholas Gilman, Sr., was a farmer, shipbuilder, and statesman. After the alarm from Lexington and Concord, he hurried off to Boston with other patriots from Exeter. Gilman represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress in 1782-1783 and was Governor of New Hampshire from 1794 to 1805 and again from 1813 to 1816. He married the daughter of Nathaniel Folsom, Deborah. When the Declaration of Independence arrived in Exeter on July 16, 1776, John Taylor was chosen to read it to  Exeter from the steps of the Gilman-Ladd house.

Nicholas Gilman, Jr., born 1755 in Exeter, younger brother of John Taylor Gilman, he was a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Was elected to the US House of Representatives during the first four Congresses and served in the US Senate from 1804 until his death in 1814.

John Irving, born 1942 in Exeter as John Wallace Blunt, Jr., the son of a fighter pilot shot down over Burma who survived with his crew by walking to the Chinese border.  After his parents divorced and his mother remarried, he was adopted by his stepfather Colin Irving, a teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy. Enrolling at the Academy, John struggled through academic difficulties exacerbated by dyslexia, a condition not identified until later years. Although he failed Latin and mathematics, the young Irving found encouragement among a group of teachers in the English department. He later dedicated his memoir "Trying to Save Piggy Sneed," to them. Irving entered the University of New Hampshire where he graduated in 1965. He was then accepted by the nationally prominent Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa and graduated there with a MFA degree in 1967. Irving's works include "The World According to Garp," "The Hotel New Hampshire," "The Cider House Rules,"  and "A Prayer for Owen Meany."

Dr. John Phillips (1719-1795) and his wife Elizabeth founded Phillips Exeter Academy New in 1781. His nephew Samuel Phillips, Jr. founded the nearby Phillips Andover (MA) Academy These two schools are among the oldest and most prestigious preparatory schools in the nation.  Daniel Webster was one of Phillips Exeter Academy's first well known graduates.

Henry A. Shute, born 1856 in Exeter, the town's beloved humorist, spent his entire life here, dying in 1943. He was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, and worked as an Exeter lawyer and judge of the municipal court. Sometime in the 1890s he began writing for the Exeter News-Letter and his weekly stories based on recollections from boyhood were locally popular. With publication "The Real Diary of a Real Boy" in 1902 Shute acquired national recognition and went on to write 19 other books and published extensively in the Saturday Evening Post. Dubbed "Mark Twain of New England," Shute's humorous and innocent stories continue to provide valuable insight into the customs of his hometown. Shute remarked, "Every man who hasn't a village or country boyhood to look back on has been cheated out of the best part of his life." A collection of Shute's published work, correspondence, talks, notes and miscellany is housed at the University of New Hampshire.

Amos Tuck, born 1810 in Parsonfield, Maine, was an Exeter political figure credited by many  the founder of the Republican Party. In his youth Amos Tuck arribed in Hampton and from 1836 to 1838 was Headmaster of the Hampton Academy. He was admitted to the bar in 1838 and practiced in Exeter. After military service during the Civil War, Tuck  resumed law practice of law and became wealthy in the railroad industry. Elected to the State house of representatives in 1842 as a member of the Democratic Party, Tuck broke with pro-slavery Democratic leaders in 1844 and was formally exiled from the party. Not deterred, he ran for Congress and was elected as an Independent. Subsequently, in 1845, he called a convention to form an independent movement in favor of anti-slavery Congressional Candidate John P. Hale. This convention would later be identified as the beginning of the Republican Party. Due largely to Tuck's tenacity, Hale was elected in 1846. Tuck also ran and was elected as a Free-Soil candidate to the 31st Congress and as a Whig to the 32nd Congress. After three terms, Tuck returned to Exeter in 1853 and began a movement to unite the many minor political factions that existed in the state of New Hampshire. The Major Blake's Hotel was the scene on October 12, 1853 as Amos Tuck met 14 anti-slavery compatriots in a secret meeting. Over dinner, Tuck suggested they form a new Republican party, an idea that found little support among the group at the time. It took another two years before the plan took root when Tuck helped form the state Republican Party in 1856 and served as delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1856 and 1860.  That 1860 convention nominated presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln, a personal friend of Amos Tuck who was largely responsible for the success of the nomination. Tuck died in Exeter in 1879 and is buried in in the Exeter Cemetery. His son, Edward Tuck, financed and founded Dartmouth College's Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, the Tuck Historical Building that houses the New Hampshire Historical Society and its Tuck Library in Concord.  

Reverend John Wheelwright, born 1592 in Saleby, Lincolnshire, England, educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, receiving his B.A. in 1614 and his M.A. in 1618. Wheelwright became vicar of Bilsby in 1623 but was exiled from the Anglican church for non-conformity in 1636. With his second wife, her mother and five children, Wheelwright sailed for Boston that same year and settled there to become pastor of the Eaxe Chapel at Mount Wollaston. But soon Wheelwright was again embroiled in controversy, this time with conservative political factions in Massachusetts for his deeply felt advocacy of freedom of speech and thought. Wheelwright was banished from Massachusetts along with Anne Hutchinson and others of his friends who all came to the Piscataqua region. Here Wheelwright bought rights to a large tract of local land from Sagamore, chief of the Wehanownouit. Wheelwright founded the town of Exeter on April 3, 1638, becoming its de facto leader and pastor of the first church. Later, Massachusetts laid claim to some of Wheelwright's land purchase in Hampton. Rather than stay to fight the wrongful claim, Wheelwright and his loyal friends again moved north, this time to Wells, Maine, where he founded yet another church and settlement. Wheelwright returned to England for a period but came back to New England some six years before his death at the age of 87 in Salisbury, MA, .