The Shoebox

Nowadays (1925)

There’s so many things you can do with electricity! These ladies are at an early home show for the Manchester Traction, Light and Power Co.

Thank You!

Speaking of Manchester, we’re proud to say that the Manchester Historic Association honored PSNH with a Leadership & Advocacy Award at its 2013 Historic Preservation Awards dinner. We’re excited to be among so many wonderful honorees.

Ghosts of ’Lectricity (1918)

Manchester Traction, Light and Power Co. employees testing equipment at the Brook Street substation in Manchester. This photo was taken on June 25, 1918. Eight years later, MTL&P and four other companies would join together to form Public Service of New Hampshire.

How Cold? Ice Cold. (1940)

A Diver named Tilton works on a 33kV cable in the chilly water at the Amoskeag canal. Photo taken February 28, 1940.

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.

Bring Your A-Frame (c. 1950s)

Prior to truck-mounted augers, utility poles were dug by hand. The crew would then use an A-Frame Digger truck to help raise and set the pole. This photo was taken at PSNH’s Automotive Maintenance Center in Manchester’s millyard.

Window Shopping (1931)

Was a Hotpoint “modern maid” oven “what mother really wanted” under the tree? This was taken outside of a PSNH electric appliance showroom (likely on Elm Street in Manchester) during the 1931 holiday season.

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.”

Brook Street Garage (c. 1940s)

Employees get ready for work on a winter’s day at PSNH’s Brook Street garage in Manchester’s millyard. Though automotive work is currently done next door, this garage still houses meter reading vehicles today.

Working on the Grid (unknown date)

Here are two employees working at PSNH’s original Control Center, which included a wall map of its electrical system. When this photo was taken, the Control Center was located at PSNH’s original headquarters on Elm Street, which is presently the home of the Black Brimmer.

Meters in Hand (1954)

An employee gets ready for the day at the 73 W. Brook St. office in Manchester.