Incorporated: 1732
Population: 13,080
County Name: Strafford
(county map)
Town Contact:
Town of Durham
15 Newmarket Road
Durham, NH 03824-2898

Phone: 603-868-8064
Fax: 603-868-8033
Website: ci.durham.nh.us

Origin:
A parish of Dover settled in 1669 as Oyster River Plantation, Durham was incorporated in 1732. The name probably honored Richard Barnes, Bishop of Durham, England, the first Puritan bishop. A descendent of an early settler, Benjamin Thompson, bequeathed the family estate, Warner Farm, to be used for establishment of an agricultural college. The state agricultural school, originally set up in Hanover in 1866, was moved to Durham in 1890, becoming the University of New Hampshire in 1923.

More about Durham:
Recreational opportunities abound in Durham. With the seacoast nearby, boating, fishing, swimming and sailing are all weekend activites. Durham is a waterfront community; a visit to Adam's point on Great Bay is a popular hiking destination and Oyster River Landing draws students and residents for picnicking.

Enjoy cross country skiing and sledding at Wagon Hill Farm, a 140 acre park with an old wagon as a backdrop.