In April 1907, Reverend Joseph Kimball, a summer visitor to Atkinson, recognized the need for a permanent building in which to house the town library. Kimball purchased, from Francis B. Maddox, the former Stephen Peabody House, a private residence for 130+ years. The deed recorded a sale price of one dollar, giving historians pause for thought until Miss Ruth Sawyer, former Town Clerk, explained that it was often customary to list a one-dollar figure in order to prevent inquisitive minds from knowing the exact amount of the transaction.

That same year, Reverend Kimball donated the house to the Town of Atkinson. In addition to the sum of one dollar, the purchase hinged on "other valuable considerations," as enumerated in the following agreement:

It is hereby agreed between the Selectmen of the Town of Atkinson, N.H. in their official capacity, and Joseph Kimball of said Atkinson, that said Kimball convey to them for the said town the historic Rev. Stephen Peabody house and land northerly of the public road passing it under the following conditions: The buildings and ground be used for the needs and convenience of the town library, and perhaps a museum and art gallery; That it be named 'Kimball Library' and that a bronze tablet be placed in the building stating its name and giving a few words of explanation; The rear back of four hundred feet from the road may be used for graves if found desirable; That the town shall keep the building insured for a sum not less than $2,500 and in case said building is destroyed, the town shall erect a suitable structure for the library, retaining the same name; the space sixty feet in width be reserved on the easterly side for an avenue to the rear land, or on the westerly side of the lot if that is found more convenient; That the sewer at arrangements be adjusted upon the land about the house; That the date of conveyance be associated with March 29, 1907, the date of my communication with the town.

Peabody House Occupants: The Peabodys (1772 – 1819)
The building was built by Reverend Stephen Peabody, probably beginning in 1772 when he purchased a twelve-acre parcel of land from Oliver Knight. The colonial style farmhouse has a southern exposure, as so many old houses did to fully utilize the warmth of the sun. The Parson himself built the original eight-room house which today still contains the gunstock beams and several Christian doors. Pegged, hand-hewn timbers can be seen in the double-thick granite and brick cellar.

Reverend Peabody was the first pastor of the town’s Congregational Church. From the onset of their marriage in 1773, Stephen and his first wife, Mary Haseltine Peabody, lived on the property, their home also serving as the parsonage. The Peabody house was located next door to the town's meetinghouse, where church services were held. Mary died in 1793. In 1795, Stephen married Elizabeth Smith Shaw, who was the sister of Abigail Adams. Elizabeth passed away in 1815. Four years later, Reverend Peabody died, having lived in the house for over forty years.

Peabody House Occupants: The Hoveys (1822 – 1895)
The house’s next owner, Dr. Isaac Burnham Hovey, came to Atkinson in 1822 and for the next forty-nine years, practiced medicine in the house. Dr. Hovey married Eliza Richards in 1828. They were married for thirty-eight years. After Eliza’s death, Dr. Hovey married E. Hannah Goodhue Moody in 1869. Isaac passed away in 1872 and, for the next ten years, as stipulated in her husband’s will, Hannah was allowed to reside in the house. When the ten years was up, Dr. Hovey’s son, Issac Richards “Ike” Hovey, assumed ownership of the house. Ike lived in the house with Calista A. George until his death in 1895. Calista, Ike’s named beneficiary, inherited the house and sold it the following spring to Franics B. Maddox of Boston.

Peabody House Occupants: The Maddoxes (1896 – 1907)
Francis Maddox, and his wife, Anne Annan Maddox, renovated the house’s façade according to the Victorian style that was popular at the time. They added two front bays and dormers and extended the roof. Little did they know as they transformed the look of the house, that their renovated home would be a gift to the town!

Kimball Library: (1907 – 2008)
As noted, Francis Maddox sold the Peabody House to Reverend Joseph Kimball in 1907. After Reverend Kimball donated the house to the town, the building, now “Kimball Library,” would serve the community for decades. For many years, the house also served as the librarian’s residence. In 1975, an annex was built to house the library’s growing collection, and the town voted approval of the Kimball House to become a museum. The library’s children’s room remained in the house until 2008, when construction on the new Kimball Library next door was completed and the Kimball House then became a free-standing building.

Kimball House Museum – Home of the Atkinson Historical Society: (1958 – Today)
The Atkinson Historical Society was founded in November 1954, dedicated to preserving and sharing Atkinson’s rich history.  In 1958, the Society was allotted one room in the Kimball Library, known as the Historical Room, where they continued their work. Today, celebrating its 70th anniversary and being in the Kimball House for almost as long, the Atkinson Historical Society is proudly continuing our mission and expanding our precious collection. AHS’s legacy is made possible by the support of Atkinson’s residents, whose dedication to history ensures our past remains accessible for generations to come.