The Hearse House

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Photos on this page were taken by Deb Mancini for the Auburn Historical Association
Moving the Antique Hearse House

The Auburn, New Hampshire antique Hearse House that was on Eaton Hill Road was moved to its new home at the Auburn Historical Association (AHA), 102 Hooksett Road on August 4th 2024. The Hearse House is believed to have been built in 1855 and was last used as a horse-drawn hearse in 1914.

At the March 29, 2023 Cemetery Trustees meeting, Jim Thompson requested a motion to research the moving of the hearse house from its current location just outside of the Auburn Village Cemetery. The motion passed unanimously.

The Auburn Historical Association members decided they would welcome having the historic Hearse House on their property.

At the July 24, 2023 town meeting, selectman Michael (Mickey) Rolfe motioned to approve the Town’s donation of the Hearse House building with the understanding that the AHA will safely move and preserve it. Selectman Tom Carroll seconded the motion. A vote was taken, all were in favor and the motion passed. 

A number of community volunteers and local businesses helped to make this move possible. Dan Carpenter, the President of the Auburn Historical Association coordinated the move. Mickey Rolfe leveled the ground and did the grade work for the foundation. Steve Febonio and Tom Febonio (Maverick Development) created a monolithic concrete slab. Dennis Beer assisted by transporting concrete block and wood for the project. Tom Pineault (Tom Pineault Masonry) put down a concrete block foundation with help from Dan Carpenter and Joe Mancini.  Joe and Dan installed a pressure treated sill plate that the building will sit on. John Everett, owner of New Hampshire Woodworking, consulted on carpentry needs. Ray Racicot, owner of Ray’s Excavation, jacked up and moved the building from Eaton Hill Road to the Auburn Historical Association and set it on the new foundation.