Civic Spotlight

Winnekenni Foundation, Inc. brings local castle back to life

This page honors local organizations that help the community and its residents improve their lives. Each quarter a new organization will be honored.

This quarter Haverhill Bank honors:
Winnekenni Foundation, Inc.

James R. Nichols first built the Winnekenni Castle in 1874 to use as a summer home and as a site for his agricultural experiments. Now, more than 150 years after it was first built, the castle remains a functioning part of the local community. Thanks to the Winnekenni Foundation, the 18^th century structure and its grounds have been well preserved and are open to the public to use and enjoy.

Nichols was an active member of the Haverhill community himself, founding the Haverhill Monday Evening Club and the Whittier Club, and would surely be delighted to see the castle bring joy to so many members of the community.

The foundation first inherited the responsibility of the Winnekenni property in 1969 after the interior of the castle was destroyed in a fire. The group worked together to remodel the castle and to create the same look and feel as the original building had years ago. Ever since, the members of the foundation have worked hard to maintain the park so Haverhill residents may continue to visit and experience the castle for many years to come.

A group gathers for an arts and crafts session during Tots-N-Tykes Tuesday.

The Winnekenni Foundation has created an atmosphere that encourages education, culture and of course, fun.  The group goes above and beyond their duty to provide the public with a recreational park, sponsoring variety of activities and events for local residents of all ages. The events are offered to the community for little to no cost and present residents with an opportunity to become involved.

One of the most popular activities at the castle is Tots-N-Tykes Tuesday. The second Tuesday of every month includes an early morning arts-and-crafts session, live entertainment, an assortment of educational games and even time to picnic on the grounds with family and friends.

“It is essentially a large playgroup,” says Dianna Lowes, vice president of events of the Winnekenni Foundation. “It offers young children a chance to interact with others their own age and to participate in educational activities at the same time. It’s perfect because it also gives parents a chance to relax and chat with other adults.”

Some popular Tots-N-Tykes activities include a “Dolly & Me Tea Party” and a “Willy Wonka Candy Factory Day” that included a golden egg hunt and a guest appearance by Willy Wonka.

Additionally, two Sundays per month at the castle are reserved specifically for children’s entertainment. This type of event often includes local theatre groups and performers. The University of New Hampshire theatre group’s performance of “Little Red Wagon” attracted an audience of more than 60 people to the castle grounds for a July performance. The show was offered to the public for free.

Children learn how to build kites on the grounds of Winnekenni Castle.

The foundation even hosts events for the teens of the community. “Haverhill Rocks!” was held at the castle for the first time ever this year. The event is a battle-of-the-bands competition for local musicians and included a celebrity appearance by American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin.

Area teenagers often have no place to go with their friends. Many are too young for area venues and have grown restless of visiting malls and movie theatres. Events like “Haverhill Rocks!” provide these kids with something fun and different. It gets them outside, and parents can be assured that they are in a safe and protected environment.

For a more mature crowd, the foundation hosts monthly psychic readings.  A representative from the foundation says psychic nights receive a huge turnout. It is not unusual for a psychic to be booked completely for the night.

And, don’t think that the foundation forgot about senior citizens. The third Wednesday of every month is designated as “Senior Day.” Seniors may attend the castle for free to enjoy live entertainment, socialize with friends – both new and old – and even take part in a picnic. Complimentary snacks and beverages are provided. Local senior citizen homes are always encouraged to take part in this event. 

Despite a wide assortment of castle events, the foundation may be best known for their Halloween festivities. The castle’s “Halloween Night Haunting” is famous throughout the area. Each October the Foundation turns the historical landmark into a spooky haunted house.

“This year is going to be the best ever. We have combined our kudos and criticisms to create the ultimate family-oriented Halloween event,” said Lowes.

This year’s theme is going to be “Dr. Demented’s Haunted Castle.” The castle will play home to a deranged scientist and offers two-and-a-half venues of haunting. In addition to the haunted castle, the event will feature a haunted waiting area and haunted graveyard.

A semi-paid staff and local community service workers gather to startle and scare those who dare to trek though the halls of the mysterious castle. For those children too young to participate at night, the castle hosts a “Halloween Castle Day” complete with costume contests, Halloween characters, games and prizes.

In addition to scheduled events, the castle grounds are open daily for recreational use. The land is ideal for family picnics and a variety of sports from running to horseback riding.

The Winnekenni Foundation provides an essential service to the Haverhill community, but these events would not be possible without generous donations from organizations such as Haverhill Bank.