The Raymond Historical Society would like to thank all of the people who purchased bricks for their patience as well as financial support. The proceeds from the sale of engraved bricks will fund the Raymond Historical Society's continuing efforts to beautify and maintain Raymond's historic train depot, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the proceeds support the Society's goals of encouraging an interest in historical research of Raymond and collecting and preserving historical artifacts of local significance.

The Historical Society is also grateful to the town of Raymond and to the individuals and organizations that have contributed their support through donations of time, labor, and materials. Our thanks go to the State of NH Department of Environmental Services, to John Pecola of Pecola Trucking, to Greg Marquis landscape designer, to the Raymond Board of Selectmen, to Society members, and most especially to the Raymond Department of Public Works crew for their superb workmanship. Installation of the commemorative walkway was made possible through the hard work of DPW employees Alan Fenstermaker, Richard "Ditty" Davis, Bob Payette, Bob Victoria, Bill Hoitt, and Chuck Perkins as well as Denise O'Grady, and Dennis McCarthy.

The Raymond Historical Society also received a national honor with a grant from the Kodak American Greenway Awards Program in Arlington, VA. The grant will help to integrate, through landscaping, the Raymond Train Depot, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, with an existing adjacent greenway, the Rockingham Recreational Trail and with Raymond's traditional New England town center. In addition to the grant award, Raymond Historical Society will be showcased as a national model for its innovative efforts to improve the appearance of the Depot, making it an attractive and informative destination for people who use the trail, as well as others who arrive by road.

The Kodak American Greenway Awards, administered by The Conservation Fund, provides small grants of up to $2,500 to non-profit organizations and government agencies to help develop new action-oriented greenway projects. The Kodak Awards provide seed money to spark creativity in conservation, outdoor recreation, trail and greenway development. The Raymond Historical Society is one of only 38 groups to receive this award nationwide.

According to The Conservation Fund's President, Larry Selzer, "The projects selected this year represent some of the best grassroots conservation and greenway development efforts in the United States. TCF supports these local initiatives because they are thoughtful, action-oriented projects that will serve as models for other communities around the country."

The Kodak American Greenway Awards are made possible through the generous support of the Eastman Kodak Company. As the world's imaging leader, Kodak sets the standard in traditional picture taking, while working to bring the latest in digital imaging technologies to the marketplace. The Kodak American Greenway Awards Review Committee, consisted of conservation experts from around the country and was overseen by The Conservation Fund. The committee selected the Raymond Historical Society landscaping project from among 237 applications from 47 states and the District of Columbia. Since 1985, The Conservation Fund has protected more than 3 million acres of wildlife habitat, open space and historic sites throughout the United States. The Fund's mission is to work with other nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations and private landowners to safeguard America's land and water resources.

The Raymond Historical Society commemorative walkway is an integral part the landscaping project. Would you like to add the names of your family, friends, ancestors, or business. It is not too late! The Society continues to take orders. When we have enough requests for commemorative bricks, we will submit them to the engraver. Newly engraved bricks will be installed in the walkway, section by section, in place of plain bricks. To request an order form, call the Historical Society at 895-2866 and leave a message with your name and address. For a Prinatable Order Form.