SPI’s New Hampshire History series begins with a talk by Rick Kfoury, the president of the Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society. In his talk, Rick explains how the railroad revolutionized transportation, linked rural areas to growing markets, and paved the way for industrial and economic growth throughout the state.
As the series unfolds, SPI’s stories will shed light on the layered history of New Hampshire—from its earliest Indigenous communities to the arrival of European settlers and the ships that brought enslaved Africans to these shores. Further along the timeline, the series will examine how industries like textiles and logging transformed both the population and the landscape, while tourism and recreational ventures capitalized on the region’s rugged beauty. Taken together, these stories illustrate the interplay between human endeavor and natural resources, underscoring how each era of New Hampshire’s history has shaped its evolving identity.
Rick Kfoury
The Impact of the Railroad