Windham, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Windham is a town
in Rockingham County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 13,592 at the 2010 census.
Native Americans. Scottish immigrants began to settle in the area in 1719. The region was known as “Nutfield” and included what are now the neighboring towns of Derry
and Londonderry
. By 1721 some of the original settlers petitioned to form a separate independent community. Governor Benning Wentworth
granted this request in 1742. The town was named after Sir Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont
, a member of Parliament
from 1734 to 1750, Secretary of State for the Southern Department
from 1761 to 1763, and a good friend of Governor Wentworth. The town of Windham was originally a parish of Londonderry. Windham was the second town designated by Governor Benning Wentworth following the establishment of the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border. Windham was the birthplace of Samuel Dinsmoor, Governor of New Hampshire from 1831 to 1834. The first census ever taken in Windham totaled at 663 residents in the year 1790.
Historic landmarks in Windham include the Searles School, Searles Castle, the town center, and the Armstrong Memorial Building. Searles Castle is one of Windham’s most prominent landmarks. Edward F. Searles, an interior decorator and antique collector, built the castle. The architect, Henry Vaughn, modeled the castle’s architecture after the style of the Stanton Harcourt
Manor in Oxon County
, England. The building was completed in 1915 at a cost of over $1,250,000. The castle contains over 20 rooms and is available to the public to be rented out for functions and events.
in southeastern New Hampshire, approximately 3 miles (5 km) north of the Massachusetts
border. It is accessible from Exit 3 of Interstate 93
. Windham is considered a bedroom community because of its growing population (over 10,000), only about 160 commercial land parcels, and lack of public transportation. The nearest airport to Windham is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
, about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the north. Boston
, Massachusetts, is 37 miles (59.5 km) to the south along Interstate 93. The landscape of Windham consists of suburban subdivisions, rural open spaces and large areas of undeveloped land.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 27.9 square miles (72.3 km²), of which 26.8 sq mi (69.4 km²) is land and 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) is water, comprising 3.80% of the town. The highest point is Jenny's Hill, at 505 feet (153.9 m) above sea level
.
of 2000, there were 10,709 people, 3,568 households, and 3,018 families residing in the town. The population density
was 399.6 people per square mile (154.3/km²). There were 3,906 housing units at an average density of 145.8 per square mile (56.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.89% White, 0.32% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.
There were 3,568 households out of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.2% were married couples
living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% were non-families. 11.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $94,794, highest in New Hampshire, and the median income for a family was $99,570. Males had a median income of $71,801 versus $36,153 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $38,559, third-highest in New Hampshire. About 1.1% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.
, home to the Jaguars, consists of grades nine through twelve. The class of 2012 will be the first graduating class at Windham High School. Prior to the 2011 school year, Windham High School did not have a senior class. Windham's first high school opened for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Prior to opening its own high school, students from Windham went to the high school in neighboring Salem
, beginning in 1995. The class of 2011 was the last Windham/Salem graduating class from Salem High School. Earlier, in the 1990s and late 1980s, students attended Pinkerton Academy
in Derry
. Windham is part of the School Administrative Unit Twenty Eight. SAU #28 consists of both the school districts of Windham and neighboring town, Pelham, New Hampshire
. Windham High School’s biology teacher, Bethany Bernasconi, was voted New Hampshire’s teacher of the year for 2012. (NH Teacher of the Year Windham High)
. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to Labor Day. Swimming lessons are available every summer. An open boat launch is available to Windham residents next to the town beach. The Windham Rail Trail, which extends from Windham into Derry
, is 4.1 miles (6.6 km) of level, paved trail for walking/biking. Windham’s Recreation Athletic youth programs include football and cheerleading, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, and soccer.
The Nesmith Library is Windham's public library. Each June Friends of the Library of Windham (FLOW) host Windham’s annual Strawberry Festival. The festival hosts local food businesses around Windham such as The Gourmet Grill, Glenn’s Kreme and Cone, and The Village Bean. Residents of Windham take part in the annual three to five mile walk known as the Turkey Trot. It takes place every year on Thanksgiving morning through the neighborhoods of Windham and raises money for the local Shepherd's Food Pantry.. The Strawberry Festival was moved to Windham High School in 2009 due to the overcrowding at the library in previous years.
The Windham Fire Department is a full-time, 24-hour department. In addition to providing emergency services, the department also works closely with community organizations on fire prevention units in the school district, and CPR and first aid classes. The Windham Police Department is a full-time department staffed by seventeen personnel, including the chief, captain, four sergeants, two detectives, and eight patrol officers. Internal assignments include a Traffic and Community Resource Officer. Resource officers are placed at the Middle School and High School. The department also has on staff a full-time prosecutor, a part-time records clerk and full-time department secretary. Both the fire and police department are located in the center of Windham across from the Windham Town Hall. The nearest hospital is Parkland Medical Center
, 5 miles (8 km) away in Derry.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Rockingham County
Rockingham County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 399 people per square mile . There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 13,592 at the 2010 census.
History
The area was initially home to the PawtucketPennacook
The Pennacook, also known by the names Merrimack and Pawtucket, were a North American people that primarily inhabited the Merrimack River valley of present-day New Hampshire and Massachusetts, as well as portions of southern Maine...
Native Americans. Scottish immigrants began to settle in the area in 1719. The region was known as “Nutfield” and included what are now the neighboring towns of Derry
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
and Londonderry
Londonderry, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 555.8 people per square mile . There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 184.6 per square mile...
. By 1721 some of the original settlers petitioned to form a separate independent community. Governor Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth was the colonial governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766.-Biography:The eldest child of the John Wentworth who had been Lieutenant Governor, he was born and died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wentworth graduated from Harvard College in 1715...
granted this request in 1742. The town was named after Sir Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont
Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont
Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont, PC and Catherine née Seymour, succeeded his uncle, Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset, as 2nd Earl of Egremont in 1750...
, a member of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
from 1734 to 1750, Secretary of State for the Southern Department
Secretary of State for the Southern Department
The Secretary of State for the Southern Department was a position in the cabinet of the government of Kingdom of Great Britain up to 1782.Before 1782, the responsibilities of the two British Secretaries of State were divided not based on the principles of modern ministerial divisions, but...
from 1761 to 1763, and a good friend of Governor Wentworth. The town of Windham was originally a parish of Londonderry. Windham was the second town designated by Governor Benning Wentworth following the establishment of the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border. Windham was the birthplace of Samuel Dinsmoor, Governor of New Hampshire from 1831 to 1834. The first census ever taken in Windham totaled at 663 residents in the year 1790.
Historic landmarks in Windham include the Searles School, Searles Castle, the town center, and the Armstrong Memorial Building. Searles Castle is one of Windham’s most prominent landmarks. Edward F. Searles, an interior decorator and antique collector, built the castle. The architect, Henry Vaughn, modeled the castle’s architecture after the style of the Stanton Harcourt
Stanton Harcourt
Stanton Harcourt is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about southeast of Witney and west of Oxford.-Archaeology:Within the parish of Stanton Harcourt is a series of paleochannel deposits buried beneath the second gravel terrace of the river Thames...
Manor in Oxon County
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, England. The building was completed in 1915 at a cost of over $1,250,000. The castle contains over 20 rooms and is available to the public to be rented out for functions and events.
Notable inhabitants
- Sully ErnaSully ErnaSalvatore Paul "Sully" Erna , is an American vocalist and primary songwriter for the American heavy metal band, Godsmack. Erna is also a guitarist and drummer, performing these both on albums and during live shows. He has a daughter named Skylar Brooke Erna and an older sister named Maria.-Early...
, vocalist of rock band GodsmackGodsmackGodsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_102115358 - Jillian WheelerJillian WheelerJillian Lee Wheeler is an American singer-songwriter and actress currently residing in Windham, New Hampshire. She is most notable for portraying Sara Markum in the 2003 film, Mystic River...
, actress and vocalist
Geography
Windham is situated in Rockingham CountyRockingham County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 399 people per square mile . There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile...
in southeastern New Hampshire, approximately 3 miles (5 km) north of the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
border. It is accessible from Exit 3 of Interstate 93
Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
. Windham is considered a bedroom community because of its growing population (over 10,000), only about 160 commercial land parcels, and lack of public transportation. The nearest airport to Windham is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport , commonly referred to simply as "Manchester Airport," is a public airport located three miles south of the central business district of Manchester, New Hampshire on the county line of Hillsborough and Rockingham counties...
, about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the north. Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts, is 37 miles (59.5 km) to the south along Interstate 93. The landscape of Windham consists of suburban subdivisions, rural open spaces and large areas of undeveloped land.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 27.9 square miles (72.3 km²), of which 26.8 sq mi (69.4 km²) is land and 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) is water, comprising 3.80% of the town. The highest point is Jenny's Hill, at 505 feet (153.9 m) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,709 people, 3,568 households, and 3,018 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 399.6 people per square mile (154.3/km²). There were 3,906 housing units at an average density of 145.8 per square mile (56.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.89% White, 0.32% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.
There were 3,568 households out of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.4% were non-families. 11.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $94,794, highest in New Hampshire, and the median income for a family was $99,570. Males had a median income of $71,801 versus $36,153 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $38,559, third-highest in New Hampshire. About 1.1% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Windham School District currently serves over 2,400 students at the four public schools. Kindergarten through second grade students attend Golden Brook School. Third grade through fifth grade students attend Windham Center School. Windham Middle School, home of the Wildcats, is occupied by sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. The newly built Windham High SchoolWindham High School (New Hampshire)
Windham High School is a new public high school in the town of Windham, New Hampshire, in the United States. The first graduating class of Windham High School will be graduating in the year of 2012....
, home to the Jaguars, consists of grades nine through twelve. The class of 2012 will be the first graduating class at Windham High School. Prior to the 2011 school year, Windham High School did not have a senior class. Windham's first high school opened for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Prior to opening its own high school, students from Windham went to the high school in neighboring Salem
Salem, New Hampshire
Salem is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 28,776 at the 2010 census. Salem is a marketing and distributing center north of Boston, with a major amusement attraction, Canobie Lake Park, and a large shopping mall, the Mall at Rockingham Park.- History :The...
, beginning in 1995. The class of 2011 was the last Windham/Salem graduating class from Salem High School. Earlier, in the 1990s and late 1980s, students attended Pinkerton Academy
Pinkerton Academy
Pinkerton Academy is a secondary school in Derry, New Hampshire. It is the largest independent academy in the United States, serving roughly 3,600 students as the high school for the communities of Derry, Hampstead, Chester and sometimes Auburn...
in Derry
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
. Windham is part of the School Administrative Unit Twenty Eight. SAU #28 consists of both the school districts of Windham and neighboring town, Pelham, New Hampshire
Pelham, New Hampshire
The earliest census data shows the town of Pelham having a population of 543 residents in 1767.As of the census of 2000, there were 10,914 people, 3,606 households, and 2,982 families residing in the town. The population density was 412.9 people per square mile . There were 3,740 housing units at...
. Windham High School’s biology teacher, Bethany Bernasconi, was voted New Hampshire’s teacher of the year for 2012. (NH Teacher of the Year Windham High)
Recreation and town services
Windham includes a variety of local attractions such as municipal parks, golf courses, tennis courts, bowling facilities, youth recreation programs, fishing, hunting, boating, snowmobile transits, bike trails, and waterfront access. The Windham Country Club golf course is an 18-hole premier course voted four stars by GolfDigest. Men's leagues, women's leagues, and youth leagues are offered at the course. Griffin Park, built in 2005, offers three baseball fields, a soccer field, tennis and basketball courts, an in-line skate park, and a playground. Windham's town beach is located on Cobbetts PondCobbetts Pond
Cobbetts Pond is a water body located in Rockingham County in southern New Hampshire, United States, in the town of Windham. It is approximately two miles long, and the shoreline forms the shape of an 8...
. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to Labor Day. Swimming lessons are available every summer. An open boat launch is available to Windham residents next to the town beach. The Windham Rail Trail, which extends from Windham into Derry
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
, is 4.1 miles (6.6 km) of level, paved trail for walking/biking. Windham’s Recreation Athletic youth programs include football and cheerleading, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, and soccer.
The Nesmith Library is Windham's public library. Each June Friends of the Library of Windham (FLOW) host Windham’s annual Strawberry Festival. The festival hosts local food businesses around Windham such as The Gourmet Grill, Glenn’s Kreme and Cone, and The Village Bean. Residents of Windham take part in the annual three to five mile walk known as the Turkey Trot. It takes place every year on Thanksgiving morning through the neighborhoods of Windham and raises money for the local Shepherd's Food Pantry.. The Strawberry Festival was moved to Windham High School in 2009 due to the overcrowding at the library in previous years.
The Windham Fire Department is a full-time, 24-hour department. In addition to providing emergency services, the department also works closely with community organizations on fire prevention units in the school district, and CPR and first aid classes. The Windham Police Department is a full-time department staffed by seventeen personnel, including the chief, captain, four sergeants, two detectives, and eight patrol officers. Internal assignments include a Traffic and Community Resource Officer. Resource officers are placed at the Middle School and High School. The department also has on staff a full-time prosecutor, a part-time records clerk and full-time department secretary. Both the fire and police department are located in the center of Windham across from the Windham Town Hall. The nearest hospital is Parkland Medical Center
Parkland Medical Center
Parkland Medical Center is a hospital in Derry, New Hampshire. It currently is licensed for 86 beds and is a Trauma III hospital. Parkland started in 1983 and has grown to become a premier hospital in southern New Hampshire. It has numerous awards for cardiovascular treatments....
, 5 miles (8 km) away in Derry.