Why do we call it Palmer’s Town?

Meredith was first known as Palmer's Town (a common early reference, though never fully official) in honor of Samuel Palmer, the surveyor who laid out much of the land around Lake Winnipesaukee. It was granted in 1748 by the Masonian Proprietors to seacoast colonists, many from Salem, Massachusetts, so it was soon called New Salem. First settlers arrived in the mid-1760s, led by Colonel Ebenezer Smith, and the town was officially incorporated in 1768 by Governor John Wentworth and renamed Meredith after a British politician who opposed taxing the colonies.

It started as a tight-knit farming community with sawmills and gristmills powered by local rivers. After the Revolution, the population grew quickly from just 218 in 1773 to 881 by 1790 and 1,609 by 1800, mostly thanks to large local families.

Prosperity arrived in the early 1800s with the “sheep craze” sparked by the War of 1812 embargo, followed by textile mills and the arrival of the railroad in 1849. The town later lost territory when parts split off to form Laconia in 1855 and were added to Center Harbor in 1873–74, but tourism gradually picked up thanks to the lake and easier travel.

After slower times through the Depression and WWII, growth took off from the 1950s onward as cars and rising prosperity drew more year-round and seasonal residents. The old mill yard was transformed into the lively Mill Falls Marketplace, helping turn Meredith into the popular lakeside resort it is today.

Twin Barns Brewing Company has become a fantastic local gem. Housed in a pair of beautifully restored 1850s barns just steps from Lake Winnipesaukee, it offers excellent handcrafted beers in a welcoming taproom and beer garden with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe—perfect for a pint, live music, or simply enjoying the classic Meredith atmosphere.

Now it’s home to about 6,800 year-round residents (with seasonal numbers swelling significantly in summer). What makes Meredith special is its stunning Lake Winnipesaukee views, charming village vibe with shops and restaurants, and that perfect blend of quiet New England history and lively summer energy—great for boating, hiking, or just kicking back by the water.