The Community of Nelson
Our community of Nelson boasts a small population of 729 souls according to the 2010 US Census. The people are warm, friendly, and hard-working. We are located in Cheshire county, 34 miles west of Manchester, New Hampshire (center to center) and 69 miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts on the height of land separating the watersheds of the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers.
In Nelson, everyone - younger folk and older folk alike - has a consciousness of belonging to our community. Nelson folk embrace Nelson Elementary School and the school embraces the community. The school is an integral part of Nelson life.
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When the local community organization formed a committee to publish Nelson's phone directory, it was the school children who were asked to design the cover. And just this year, the Trails committee approached the students to paint and decorate mailboxes which would then be placed at the trail-heads. In 2011 when the community banded together to give a Halloween party for the children in Nelson, 32 children attended the party, hosted by 45 adults - most of whom were not parents or grandparents, but supportive neighbors.
Nelson School draws on the many talents offered by the members of the community to enhance the curricula. We've enjoyed music and dance, learned carpentry and painting, and have listened to Nelson 'experts' as they accompany us on field trips.
Nelson Town Common photographed by Lee Germeroth
