Photos from PSNH's Archives

17
May

Meet Us Half-Way (c. early–1920s)

These shots depict the workers who built the Ayers Island Hydro Station in Bristol, NH. Ayers Island went online in 1924, so these photos were probably taken around 1922 or so. It’s interesting to see “inside” the 80-foot dam at what looks like a cross-section.

Ayers Island is PSNH’s northernmost hydro station in the Merrimack River Basin, and also the highest dam on the river. You might know it as the home of PSNH’s popular Osprey Cam.

Here’s a similar shot of Eastman Falls in Franklin.


4
Apr

Constructing Canaan’s Penstock (1926–27)

It’s 2-for-1 Day at The Shoebox! These photos show the construction of Canaan Hydro Station’s original wood stave penstock. The serpentine penstock is a large tube that takes water from the Connecticut River and brings it to the turbine, where electricity is generated (1.1 MW). According to friend-of-the-blog Bob Gundersen, this wooden penstock was used up until 2009 when it was replaced with one made of steel.


27
Mar
Hold on John (1952) Two employees working on the substation at Garvins Falls Hydro, which is located in Bow on the Merrimack River.

Hold on John (1952)

Two employees working on the substation at Garvins Falls Hydro, which is located in Bow on the Merrimack River.

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1
Mar
Ice Breaking Over Amoskeag (1936) PSNH purchased Amoskeag Station in 1936, the year this photo was taken. The hydro dam, built in 1924, is located on the Merrimack River in Manchester’s Millyard. See this same scene, taken just a few years ago, on PSNH’s Flickr page. 2013-03-04: Updated with Flickr photo. Thanks to Bob Gundersen.

Ice Breaking Over Amoskeag (1936)

PSNH purchased Amoskeag Station in 1936, the year this photo was taken. The hydro dam, built in 1924, is located on the Merrimack River in Manchester’s Millyard.

See this same scene, taken just a few years ago, on PSNH’s Flickr page.

2013-03-04: Updated with Flickr photo. Thanks to Bob Gundersen.

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6
Sep
Students Tour Amoskeag (c. 1970s) Who doesn’t want to learn how a power plant works? Here, hydro employee Frank Bellefeuille is pointing out the instrumentation and controls at Amoskeag Hydro Station. The 17.5 MW renewable plant—located in Manchester’s millyard—continues to be a popular destination for students today. 2012-09-07: Thanks to Mark and Wendy Vattes for updating us with the employee’s name. According to Mark, “My Dad, John Vattes, a PSNH retiree, confirmed that the PSNH employee pictured in the photograph is Joseph Francis “Frank” Bellefeuille. My Dad worked at the Amoskeag Hydro in the 1960s and early 1970s with Frank, who is also my Mom’s uncle.”

Students Tour Amoskeag (c. 1970s)

Who doesn’t want to learn how a power plant works? Here, hydro employee Frank Bellefeuille is pointing out the instrumentation and controls at Amoskeag Hydro Station. The 17.5 MW renewable plant—located in Manchester’s millyard—continues to be a popular destination for students today.

2012-09-07: Thanks to Mark and Wendy Vattes for updating us with the employee’s name. According to Mark, “My Dad, John Vattes, a PSNH retiree, confirmed that the PSNH employee pictured in the photograph is Joseph Francis “Frank” Bellefeuille. My Dad worked at the Amoskeag Hydro in the 1960s and early 1970s with Frank, who is also my Mom’s uncle.”

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16
Jul
Inspecting an Exciter (unknown date) Stanley Nichols inspects the exciter on a 2,500 horsepower turbine at the Greggs Falls hydro station on the Piscataquog River in Goffstown. Greggs Falls hydro is still running but is no longer owned by PSNH.

Inspecting an Exciter (unknown date)

Stanley Nichols inspects the exciter on a 2,500 horsepower turbine at the Greggs Falls hydro station on the Piscataquog River in Goffstown. Greggs Falls hydro is still running but is no longer owned by PSNH.

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22
Jun
Building Eastman Falls (1937) This photo shows the construction of the current Eastman Falls Hydro Station on the Pemigewasset River in Franklin, N.H. The original, stone-filled-coffer dam—which was built by the B&M Railroad in 1901—can be seen up river (on the right). “In 1937, a new concrete dam and powerhouse were built; the old units were removed and only part of the original powerhouse foundation was utilized,” says PSNH retiree Bob Gundersen. “Even now, when the reservoir is lowered for dam maintenance, the old masonry buttress from the old dam on the far riverbank is visible.” The 6.4 MW hydro station at Eastman Falls continues to produce power today. Photo date: January 13, 1937

Building Eastman Falls (1937)

This photo shows the construction of the current Eastman Falls Hydro Station on the Pemigewasset River in Franklin, N.H. The original, stone-filled-coffer dam—which was built by the B&M Railroad in 1901—can be seen up river (on the right).

“In 1937, a new concrete dam and powerhouse were built; the old units were removed and only part of the original powerhouse foundation was utilized,” says PSNH retiree Bob Gundersen. “Even now, when the reservoir is lowered for dam maintenance, the old masonry buttress from the old dam on the far riverbank is visible.”

The 6.4 MW hydro station at Eastman Falls continues to produce power today.

Photo date: January 13, 1937

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12
Jun
Installing Underwater Cable (1927) Workers install underwater electric cable next to the Amoskeag Hydro Station in Manchester. Date: June 8, 1927.

Installing Underwater Cable (1927)

Workers install underwater electric cable next to the Amoskeag Hydro Station in Manchester. Date: June 8, 1927.

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1
Jun
Amoskeag Millyard (1976) This is a view of Manchester’s Amoskeag millyard facing north-west. At the center of the photo is Amoskeag Hydro Station on the Merrimack River. Below that is the Manchester Steam Plant, which once powered the millyard. In 2002 the steam plant would be renovated into Energy Park, PSNH’s new corporate headquarters.

Amoskeag Millyard (1976)

This is a view of Manchester’s Amoskeag millyard facing north-west. At the center of the photo is Amoskeag Hydro Station on the Merrimack River. Below that is the Manchester Steam Plant, which once powered the millyard. In 2002 the steam plant would be renovated into Energy Park, PSNH’s new corporate headquarters.

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1
May
Diver at Greggs Falls Hydro (1955) Diver inspecting water gate at Greggs Falls Hydro Station in Goffstown. PSNH owned Greggs Falls until the mid-1980s. It still operates and is visible from RT 114 in Goffstown. Divers are used extensively at hydro plants to make underwater repairs without drawing down the reservoir. 2012-05-02: Thanks to Bob Gundersen for the updated description!

Diver at Greggs Falls Hydro (1955)

Diver inspecting water gate at Greggs Falls Hydro Station in Goffstown. PSNH owned Greggs Falls until the mid-1980s. It still operates and is visible from RT 114 in Goffstown. Divers are used extensively at hydro plants to make underwater repairs without drawing down the reservoir.

2012-05-02: Thanks to Bob Gundersen for the updated description!

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