Milford, New Hampshire a quintessential Colonial
New England Town
The Milford Improvement Team is a public-private partnership working to promote, revitalize, and enhance the historic,
natural, social, and economic vitality of Milford.
The Town of Milford, New Hampshire
The area that is now Milford, New Hampshire, is located in a very historic region of New England, and dates
back to a land grant issued by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1659. Having changed hands and names
several times during the 17th and 18th centuries, the Town of “Millford” was finally incorporated in 1794. Since that
time, Milford has been a busy hub for surrounding communities. The falls and dams along the river provided early
power for grist and lumber mills.. Granite from Milford’s quarries, was used to make the pillars for the U.S. Treasury,
in Washington, D.C., as still seen on the American $10 bill. Milford moved on to textile mills in the 19th century,
which closed after WWII, but Milford remains the commercial and retail center for surrounding towns. The historic
downtown is the heart of the community boasting numerous businesses and shopping opportunities.
Also rich in agricultural history, Milford farms were producers of dairy, poultry, wool and orchard produce.
Railroads allowed crops, goods and granite to be shipped from Milford to far flung markets. Early on oxen and horse
power were the main supply of energy and strength to get the job done locally. Rivers, Roads and Rails all formed a
hub of interconnections in Milford. Stores and Services soon served many of the surrounding communities who were
too small to support such diverse activity.
Today we are an evolving community –the Oval Area contains many restaurants, retail shops and boutiques,
and service related businesses. It remains the hub of activity both social and business wise for Milford and the
surrounding towns. Band concerts, festivals and other cultural and recreational activities bring tourists and residents
to shop and socialize. We still have World Class employers in Milford including Manufacturing and Technology
companies, and though some residents may commute out of town for their employment, they still choose to live
here for the quality of life that this community gives their families which comes uniquely from come from its historic,
natural, social and economic qualities.
The Milford Improvement Team (MIT) plays a vital role in what makes Milford, Milford. As a private-public
partnership, MIT organizes community events and projects on behalf of the town. MIT held six events in 2014,
serving a total of 35,000 attendees.
The Milford Improvement Team
Celebrating our 23rd year in 2015, The Milford Improvement Team has a busy year planned in coordinating
events, projects for the town, and promoting economic development throughout Milford. Our goals:

Promote Milford as a vibrant cultural, retail and entertainment destination in the region;

Encourage a variety of local and independent businesses and activities that will both serve and employ
residents;

Preserve where feasible Milford’s historic buildings and encourage sympathetic new development;

Make Milford’s gateway streetscapes attractive and engaging;

Continue to maintain downtown Milford as the attractive, pedestrian-oriented center of our
community;

Foster cooperation among residents, business owners and property owners.
The Milford Improvement Team events in 2015.
“2nd Annual Make it Milford, Vacant Spaces Tour” was held in March. MIT partnered with
the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and local realtors and building owners, to
showcase our available commercial spaces including storefronts, office and industrial
space. The purpose of this event was to attract new business to Milford. The day’s schedule
included a Light Breakfast and Panel Discussion with Milford and Amherst Community
Development Directors, Fire Department and Building Officials, and Commercial Lenders
about Opening or Re-locating a business to Milford or Amherst; A Self-guided Tour of
Available Commercial Properties in Milford and Amherst,
MIT coordinated the 2nd Annual Milford Pride Town-wide Clean-up Day,
which was held in late May. Partnering with the Milford Masonic Lodge, the Milford DPW, and local
businesses and community groups, scores of residents and town officials came out in full force to pick
up tons of trash that had accumulated along the roads and Souhegan River in Milford. Over 150
participants were treated to a BBQ lunch afterwards.
6th Annual Taste of Milford took place May 28th. The purpose of the Taste is to showcase
Milford area as a Dining and Shopping Destination. In 2015, there were 30 Milford area eateries,
home chefs, and cottage businesses that participated, and 20+ downtown businesses that hosted
the event in their businesses. 700 attendees and 50+ volunteers made this event happen, and
attendees thoroughly enjoyed their evening!
The Milford Arts Festival . Following their annual Taste of Milford event in 2015,
the Milford Improvement Team also resurrected the former Keyes Art Group’s long time arts
festival. Hold May 30 and 31, the Milford Arts Festival transformed the historic Oval into a
colony of artists, by showcasing Fine Art from area artists, Contemporary Crafts, Live Music,
Two Performance stages, Kids Activities, Face Painting, , and of course, the Unique Dining
and Shopping Experience that attendees of the Milford Arts Festival will enjoy In and Around
the historic Milford Oval.
The 26th Annual Milford Great Pumpkin Festival was held October 9 through 11th.
MIT continues to organize this event on behalf of the Town of Milford, so that we
may continue to promote the historic, natural, social, and economic vitality of the
town. There were over 35,000 attendees over the 3 day event. 1000s of volunteer
hours go into putting on this event, with people working months in advance. Many Milford non profits
and community based groups participated with fundraising or awareness activities that raised substantial
monies that will be reinvested back into the Milford Community.
The Milford Annual Holiday Craft Fairs were again coordinated by MIT the first weekend
in December! It included craft fairs hosted by area churches, school and non profits,
the Milford Winter Farmers Market, and attendees were able to do their Holiday
Shopping & Dining , while also supporting our Milford Businesses for unique a
unique shopping and dining experience!
Other MIT coordinated projectsin 2015 also included:
Milford QR Code Tour is launched at www.qrtoursmilfordnh.org. This tour
focuses on the historical places in Milford. There are 14 stops on the tour,
with plans to expand the tour in the future to historical people,
a cemetery tour and more!
How to Create a Woodpress course was coordinated by the Milford Improvement Team and offered
a 5 week course that to taught attendees how to create a website using Wordpress, and then how to
update and maximize the impact of its content.
In 2015, MIT is also participated in the UNH-Extension’s Business Retention and Expansion Project
to survey businesses in the Souhegan Valley Region. Results of this extensive survey will be utilized
to help buisnesses thrive in our town.
On-going MIT projects that benefited Milford in 2015:
MIT maintains the Oval Streetscape – flowers on bandstand, Oval flowerbeds, banners,
seasonal decorations
MIT serves as resource/advisor/partner to many other groups on fundraising, projects,
promoting of events
MIT provides the flowers for the Stone Bridge for the Milford Garden Club
MIT Executive Director serves on Milford Economic Development Advisory Counsel,
Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, NRPC Transportation
Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC), and NH Vibrant Communities Network
Begun by MIT, the Milford Winter Indoor Farmers Market now runs itself, but MIT provided the
marketing for the group, andMIT continually promotes Milford businesses and eateries!
Coming up in 2016
Looking ahead to 2016, the Milford Improvement Team will finally see the long-awaited
construction of the South Street Improvements! Spearheaded by MIT, these improvements
have been a decade in the making!
In 2016, MIT will continue to be an active partner with many Milford town and Community
organizations throughout the year. MIT works with the Milford Town Departments, and is on the
following economic development boards: SV Chamber of Commerce, NRPC Transportation
Committee, the Milford EDAC (Economic Development Advisory Committee), NH Vibrant
Communities, The UNH Cooperative Business Retention and Expansion Committee, and more!!!
Perhaps even more importantly, is that MIT also works year-round with area businesses, non-profits
and community groups in Milford.
.
Please visit us at www.milfordimprovementteam.org and www.milfordpumpkinfestival.org
Respectfully Submitted,
Alan Woolfson, President, MIT Board of Directors
Wendy Hunt , MIT Executive Director
2015 Board Members: Vice President: Ed Killam, Treasurer: Kent Chappell: Executive Committee:
Heather Leach, Mark Constable; Board: Tim Barr, Kathy Bauer, Trent Blalock, Michael Brisbois, Kate
Chamberlin, , Rick Ganis, Karen Keating, Robert Krey, Janet Spalding, David Sturm, and Chuck
Worcester.
DO-IT/MIT is a not for profit 501(c)6 organization working for and on behalf of the Town of
Milford. All Board members are Volunteers.