About Pittsfield, New Hampshire Area
"The Gem of Suncook Valley" 

Pittsfield is a beautiful New England town in Merrimack County. Located in the Concord metropolitan area. The town was incorporated in 1792. Like Pittsburg in the north, Pittsfield was named for William Pitt, Prime Minister of England. The town was originally settled by several families from Hampton.  

Majestic hot air balloons hover over a picturesque mountain view!!

Visitors from all over flock to the Pittsfield Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally! Held annually in Drake's Field, on the first weekend in August. Festivities are ongoing throughout the entire weekend. Balloons launch each day in the pre-dawn hours and again in the early evening and is by far one of the most spectacular sites you could possibly witness.  

Location
Pittsfield is 10 miles southeast of Gilmanton NH and 10 miles east of Loudon NH. Alton NH is 12.5 miles to the northeast. The city of Manchester NH is only 24 miles away, and Boston, Massachusetts is 70 miles southeast of Pittsfield. 

Airports
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, 27 miles away, is the primary facility serving Pittsfield. 

Pease International Tradeport is 39 miles from Pittsfield, in Portsmouth NH. 

Hanscom Field is 58 miles away, in Bedford, Massachusetts. 

Terrain
The elevation of Pittsfield is 501 feet. The town has a total land area of 23.9 square miles. Pittsfield is drained by the beautiful, Suncook River that flows through the town, and is often called “The Gem of Suncook Valley.”  

A drive north out of Pittsfield brings you to the mountains of the Presidential range and the beautiful and extensive waterways of the Lakes Region.  

Views of Pittsfield’s Suncook River and the Pittsfield Dam against the town’s classic white steepled church in the background create a picture-postcard perfect New England scene in any season.

Population
The estimated population of Pittsfield in July 2004 was 4,319 people.  

Eighty percent of the adult residents have completed high school or higher, 13% have attained a bachelor’s degree, and 4% a graduate or professional degree. 

Jobs
Residents of Pittsfield have the option of commuting to Manchester NH or Concord NH for plentiful job opportunities. 

The primary industries providing employment in Pittsfield are manufacturing (21.6%), educational, health and social services (15.9%), and retail trade (12.8%). The average travel time to work for the residents of Pittsfield is 30 minutes.  

The Globe Manufacturing Company has been manufacturing protective clothing for firefighters in Pittsfield since 1901.  

Colleges/Universities
There are many institutions of higher education within an hour’s drive of Pittsfield including New Hampshire College, the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State College, Northern Essex Community College, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Merrimack College, and Middlesex Community College. 

Housing
The real estate market in Pittsfield provides a range of offerings --- from historic homesteads and estates, to classic New Englanders, to newly constructed single-family homes, and multi-family homes with rental units. The prices range from the low $200,000’s to over $500,000. 

Historic Sites
Pittsfield Center Historic District, in Merrimack County, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The preserved area covers 450 acres and includes 128 buildings. The architectural styles showcased in the district include Mid-19th Century Revival, Late Victorian, and Federal. The historic function of Pittsfield Center Historic District was primarily in commerce/trade, and industry.  

Dustin Park, one acre on Main Street, has a gazebo that was dedicated in 1918. It is used for concerts in the park during the summer months. 

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
The Town of Pittsfield has a number of parks and trails within the town limits. Centennial Park, also known as Drakes Field, is located on the Suncook River, with an area for picnics. Dr. Harold Conrad Park is next to Pittsfield Dam and is ideal for sitting and enjoying the Suncook River and the dam. Pittsfield’s newest addition is Frank Lyman Park, dedicated in July of 2000. The Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park has four baseball fields with dugouts, backstops, homerun fences and a clubhouse.  

In nearby Concord, golfers can perfect their game at the Concord Country Club, a private club with an 18-hole golf course, or at Beaver Meadow Golf Club, an 18-hole course open to the public. 

For the brave outdoor type, Pittsfield is convenient to white water rafting locales on the Suncook River and other rivers in the area. 

Special Attractions/Events
Pittsfield’s proximity to the state capital in Concord, and to New Hampshire’s largest city, Manchester, ensures a full range of cultural offerings and amenities. It is less than a 90 minute drive to the greater Boston area, to enjoy the many attractions there.  

Interesting Facts
Founder John Cram built grist and saw mills in this area in the late 1700s. 

Pittsfield claimed the Guinness World Record in July 2001 as the place where the most number of people wore Groucho Marx glasses at the same time (522). Before Pittsfield's attempt, no other town had tried to set the record. 

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