1855 West Porch added 1895 Clock installed 1974 The voters of Canaan establish a committee to restore the Meeting House 1975 The exterior restoration work starts 1976 Roof restoration starts
1978 Exterior restoration completed 1980 Plans for interior restoration started 1983 Sill and floor leveling completed 1989 Summer literary readings started 1993 Plans for interior include pew box restoration
	1994 Plans for west porch to rebuild stairs to second floor, install bathroom and kitchen 2005 West porch started 2006 Septic system installed 2011 Interior renovation completed & Plans for Tower renovation 2012 Tower renovation to be done

Update! December 2011: Canaan receives $35,000 grant from NH LCHIP for tower repairs (read the full press release here!) Town contributes $20,000; Private donations are greater than $9,000, BUT we still need $24,000. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn how you can make this project happen!

During the past few years, the beams holding up the roof of the Meeting House Tower have been degrading. The beams and the supports for the bell are rotted and need replacement. Due to their deteriorated condition, water is seeping into the tower and there is rotting of the interior beams. We are having several contractors give us their ideas for replacing these beams so as to maintain the historic nature of the Meeting House and do the repairs as economically as possible.

We have already obtained several plans for repairs that range in cost from less than $30,000 to at least $87,000. Contributions have been received totaling nearly $9,000 and solicitations are on-going. This September, the Town will submit an application to New Hampshire LCHIP (land and Community Heritage Investment Program) for grant monies to assist in the repair. The goal will be to repair the tower supports in 2012. The Meeting House needs your help. We need to raise an additional $32,000 for repairs to the tower.

Please send any donations by check to:
Town of Canaan
PO Box 38
Canaan, NH 03741

Note on the check that it is for "Meeting House Preservation"

More Images of Needed Repairs

Diagram of Needed Repairs

Meeting House Readings 2011
Bill Craig opening the 22nd Annual Meeting House Readings on July 7, 2011.

New Hampshire History Days 2011


Each year, students at the Canaan Elementary School study colonial history and artifacts from earlier eras in the classroom. They then re-enact colonial activities, including games and crafts such as quilting and candle making, on the Meeting House Green.