Children's Museums
Hills House
📍 211 Derry Rd, Hudson, NH 03051About Hills House
Local exhibits in a historic building. Built in 1890, this shingle-style, 2.5-story house on 2 acres offers local history exhibits & tours. The house was built in 1890 by a Boston architect as a summer home and presented by Dr. Albert Hills to his wife Ida Virginia as a Christmas present, with the house name 'ALVirne' combining both their first names. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 64 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Historical Society & Museum
- Location
- Alvirne Hills House, Derry Road, Hudson, NH
- Historic Building
- 1890 Shingle-style summer home, National Register of Historic Places
- Founded
- 1966
- Focus
- Preservation of Hudson's historical artifacts and local history
💡 Did You Know?
- The house was built in 1890 by a Boston architect as a summer home and presented by Dr. Albert Hills to his wife Ida Virginia as a Christmas present, with the house name 'ALVirne' combining both their first names
- Dr. Albert Hills, his wife Virginia, and their two infant daughters are buried in the floor of the nearby Alvirne Chapel, a medieval stone structure popular for weddings
- The house is a shingle-style, 2.5-story architect-designed structure situated on 2 acres and now serves as a local history museum operated by the Hudson Historical Society
- Alvirne High School, located across the street from Hills House, is named after Dr. Albert and Ida Virginia Hills in honor of their legacy in Hudson, NH
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan your visit around Hudson Old Homes Days festival for a richer experience - the event includes carnival rides, food, bands, and fireworks alongside house tours, making it a full day of entertainment and local history
- The house tour is the main draw with excellent knowledgeable staff - visitors consistently praise the artifacts collection and interior tour experience, so allocate time to explore the 1890 Shingle-style home thoroughly rather than just passing through
- If visiting during holiday season, the house features special Christmas decorations that enhance the historical ambiance and provide photo opportunities
- Families with children should know the free Petting Zoo features unique animals like alpacas, donkeys, and goats - a highlight for kids that requires no admission fee, making it excellent value alongside house tours
- Ask staff about the fascinating backstory of the house during your tour - the romantic origin story of Dr. Albert Hills building it as a Christmas gift for his wife and how the name 'Alvirne' was created adds meaningful context to the artifacts
More Family Fun Nearby
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