Welcome to the Weeks Brick House
The Weeks Brick House, built in 1710 by Samuel Weeks (1670-1746), is among the earliest brick houses in New England --- and may be the oldest made of bricks fired on the site. The farmstead established in 1656 by Leonard Weeks (1633-1707) remained in the family for over 300 years. Today the 33-acre farmstead includes conservation land laced with hiking trails for public enjoyment.
Special events in 2011 included participation in Greenland Day in July, and our Annual Meeting Weekend in August. (Read the most up-to-date information about Weeks Brick House activities and events here.
The Weeks Act Centennial. During the 2011 season the Weeks Brick House & Gardens joins with organizations throughout New Hampshire and the U.S. to celebrate the centennial of the Weeks Act, the landmark legislation that helped create our National Forest system, and is associated with investment banker, legislator, public servant, and Leonard Weeks descendant, John Wingate Weeks (1860-1926). For information on the history of the Weeks Act, visit www.ForestHistory.org. For a comprehensive list of centennial events, visit www.WeeksLegacy.org. (Read more about John Wingate Weeks in the Notable Ancestors section of the Weeks Genealogy page)
A historic house ... with a colonial garden ...
In 1975 the house and acreage was purchased by an organization of both descendants and preservation-minded individuals interested in the future of the distinctive structure. Early initiatives included securing recognition on the National Register of Historic Places, and planting an authentic colonial-era "housewife's garden" designed by garden historian Ann Leighton (Isadore Smith).
... and a conservation area ... with trails ...
In 1992 a conservation easement was conveyed to the Town of Greenland and the State of New Hampshire, preserving in perpetuity 31 acres of meadow and woodland behind the 3-acre lot of the Weeks Brick House. In 2001 trails were officially opened for public recreational use.
... and a New Hampshire historic site
on the National Register of Historic Places
In the future, the Weeks Brick House seeks to be more than just an impressive but silent 300-year-old icon. We welcome your ideas and involvement as we seek to identify the best ways this property can serve the community as a historical/educational resource.
While the primary mission of the organization is preservation of the 36'x22' house (...with its massive 18"-thick brick walls), there is also an educational component, which will be guided by a museum-standard interpretation plan. In preparation, archaeological studies have been undertaken to learn as much as possible about the farmstead through the centuries.
Each year in late summer, descendants of early settler Leonard Weeks, as well as interested members of the Greenland community, gather at the Weeks Brick House for an annual meeting --- to walk in ancestral footsteps, absorb the latest findings in local history, and discuss the future of the house and property.
