Incorporated: 1774
Population: 647
County Name: Cheshire
(county map)
Town Contact:
Town of Nelson
HCR 33, Box 660
Nelson, NH 03457

Phone: 603-847-0047
Fax: 603-847-3197
Website: keenenh.com/nelson

Origin:
One of the original border towns, Nelson was first known as Monadnock Number 6. In 1767, it was renamed Packersfield after Thomas Packer, one of the grantees, who was high sheriff of Portsmouth. It kept that name until 1814, when it was renamed in honor of Lord Horatio Nelson, who died on board the British ship Victory in the war against Napoleon. Nelson includes the village of Munsonville.

More about Nelson:
Quiet Nelson village contains a fine 1841 village church in Greek and Gothic revival style and attractive homes. Munsonville, on the shores of Granite Lake, is mostly made up of summer homes today, but was once a busy industrial site, making use of abundant water power to produce cotton cloth and chairs. Today Nelson is primarily a vacation retreat.

Contra dances are held every Monday night at 8pm in the Nelson town hall. Beginners are welcome and the dances have become legendary in the region.