MacDowell Colony
About the district
MacDowell Colony was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct 15, 1966: the first place in Peterborough to be listed. It was named a National Historic Landmark on Dec 29, 1962, one of 24 in New Hampshire. Only 0 of New Hampshire’s 802 listings are older. The Register lists it for its art, literature and performing arts, at the national level. The district takes in 42 historic buildings. The listing covers 400 acres. We have four old views of it, on this page.
What it isArt colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire, U.S.A. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗
PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 127 MB · National Archives↗1917 to today
- 1917
Photograph shows seated from left: illustrator Frances Isabelle (Lockwood) Brun… - 1921
MacDowell Colony - 1926
Marian MacDowell photographed at the MacDowell Colony, New Hampshire - 1962Named a National Historic Landmark
- 1966Added to the National Register of Historic Places
- 2026On the Register for 60 years
4 old views of MacDowell Colony
Public domain, made before 1950, from Wikimedia Commons, from 1917 to 1926. Tap one to see it full screen.
Outside
1917
1917
1926Inside
1921Old views from Wikimedia Commons are public domain; each credit is in the viewer. Copied to our own server.
Finding MacDowell Colony
West of US 202, in Peterborough, NH
No other Register listing is within a short walk. The nearest are under Around it.
5 more Register listings within 2 miles
★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.
Other National Historic Landmarks nearby
The nearest Landmarks with a photo, within 25 miles, and the year each was named.
Memories of MacDowell Colony
The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Questions about MacDowell Colony
Is MacDowell Colony on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. It was added on Oct 15, 1966 (Register number 66000026).
Is MacDowell Colony a National Historic Landmark?
Yes, since Dec 29, 1962. New Hampshire has 24 National Historic Landmarks.
Can you visit MacDowell Colony?
It has its own website, the place to check whether and when it is open to visitors.
Are there old photos of MacDowell Colony?
Yes: four old views are on this page.
Where can I read the history of MacDowell Colony?
In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 127 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.
Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 77844572 · Wikidata · old views from Wikimedia Commons (public domain), copied to our own server. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.