Exeter, New Hampshire

Exeter, New Hampshire
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Name	Exeter, New Hampshire
Settlement type	Town

Exeter, New Hampshire is a town located in Rockingham County, near the Squamscott River and Great Bay. The town is situated approximately 30 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts, and is part of the Boston-Worcester-Manchester combined statistical area, which also includes Manchester and Nashua. Exeter is home to Phillips Exeter Academy, a prestigious private school founded in 1781 by John Phillips, and is also near University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College. The town has a rich history, with notable residents including Daniel Webster, Robert Rogers, and John Irving, who have all been influenced by the town's proximity to Portsmouth and Concord.

Geography

Exeter is situated in the southeastern part of New Hampshire, near the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Merrimack River valley. The town is bordered by Stratham to the south, Newfields to the east, and Brentwood to the west. Exeter's geography is characterized by its location near the Squamscott River, which flows into Great Bay and eventually into the Gulf of Maine. The town's landscape is also influenced by its proximity to the White Mountains and the Presidential Range, which are popular destinations for outdoor recreation, including Mount Washington and Franconia Notch State Park. Nearby cities, such as Portland and Burlington, offer additional opportunities for cultural and economic exchange, including Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

History

Exeter has a rich and diverse history, dating back to the Native American tribes that first inhabited the area, including the Pennacook and Abenaki tribes. The town was founded in 1638 by John Wheelwright, a Puritan minister who was banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony and settled in the area with a group of followers, including Anne Bradstreet and John Winthrop. Exeter played a significant role in the American Revolution, with many of its residents participating in the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Saratoga, and was also home to Paul Revere, who warned the town of the approaching British Army during the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. The town's history is also closely tied to the Industrial Revolution, with the construction of the Squamscott River canal and the arrival of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which connected Exeter to Boston and other major cities, including New York City and Philadelphia.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, Exeter had a population of approximately 14,000 people, with a diverse range of ages, incomes, and occupations. The town has a strong sense of community, with many residents actively involved in local organizations and initiatives, including the Exeter Historical Society and the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce. Exeter is also home to a number of notable residents, including Judd Gregg, a former United States Senator from New Hampshire, and John Lynch, a former Governor of New Hampshire, who have both been influenced by the town's proximity to Washington, D.C. and the United States Congress.

Economy

Exeter's economy is driven by a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with major employers including Exeter Hospital and Phillips Exeter Academy. The town is also home to a number of small businesses and startups, including those in the technology and biotechnology sectors, and is located near the Pease International Tradeport, a major economic development zone that includes Portsmouth International Airport at Pease and the New Hampshire Port Authority. Exeter's economy is also influenced by its proximity to Boston and other major cities, including New York City and Providence, which provide access to a large and diverse market, including Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.

Education

Exeter is served by the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, which includes Exeter High School and several elementary and middle schools, and is also home to Phillips Exeter Academy, a prestigious private school that was founded in 1781 and is known for its innovative Harkness education approach, which emphasizes student-centered learning and discussion, and has been influenced by the Ivy League and other top universities, including Harvard University and Yale University. The town is also located near several other top-ranked educational institutions, including University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College, which offer a range of academic programs and research opportunities, including MIT and Stanford University.

Culture

Exeter has a rich cultural scene, with a number of annual festivals and events, including the Exeter Festival, which celebrates the town's history and heritage, and the Exeter Powder Keg, a historic reenactment of the American Revolution. The town is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Exeter Historical Society Museum and the American Independence Museum, which showcase the town's history and significance, and is located near other cultural destinations, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, which offer a range of artistic and cultural exhibitions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Exeter's cultural scene is also influenced by its proximity to Boston and other major cities, including New York City and Providence, which provide access to a wide range of cultural attractions and events, including Broadway and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.