Resting along the east side of the Connecticut River is the scenic town of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Chesterfield is roughly equidistant from the somewhat larger communities of Keene, New Hampshire to the east and Brattleboro, Vermont to the west. With a population of about 3,600, Chesterfield is modestly sized and is known for its scenic landscape of rolling hills, secluded lakes, and undeveloped forested areas.
Granted in 1735 before being officially incorporated in 1752 when New Hampshire was made its own independent province, Chesterfield has had a long history in the Connecticut River Valley. Today, that history can be felt by driving along the winding country roads and seeing old farmland, moss-covered stone walls, and sites like the Asbury Church, an interesting example of Greek Revival architecture that was built in 1844.
Chesterfield is perhaps best known for Spofford Lake, a popular destination for swimming, boating, and fishing during the summer months. Also within the Chesterfield area is Pisgah State Park, New Hampshire’s largest state park, Madame Sherri Forest and the adjacent Wantastiquet Mountain State Forest, the Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, and the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve. These natural areas offer fantastic hiking, well-hidden swimming holes, and excellent trails for mountain biking, nordic skiing, or snowshoeing.
An advantage to living in Chesterfield is its close proximity to the other great communities of southern Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. Towns like Keene and Brattleboro, which are both somewhat larger in size, or small-sized communities like Walpole, New Hampshire and Putney, Vermont are just short trips from Chesterfield and are always worth making the drive to for their exquisite farm-to-table restaurants and locally owned shops.
Children in Chesterfield typically attend Chesterfield School, which has an enrollment of about 290 students between kindergarten and the 8th grade. Beginning in 9th grade, students from Chesterfield can attend Keene High School, the area’s public high school that serves about 1,400 students from eleven surrounding communities in New Hampshire.
Chesterfield is an exceptional community because it is close to other larger towns in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts and is fairly accessible as a result, yet it has a quiet and secluded feel that is hard to match. Such a combination is difficult to find in much of the rest of New England, making towns like Chesterfield so special and so valued by those that have chosen to make it their home.
Currently Listed in Chesterfield, New Hampshire
