Siege of Wolves

Siege of Wolves
Step into a Tamworth legend… Come curious. Leave with a story of your own.

“The wolves are coming!”
Paraphrasing Joseph Gilman’s written account of a Tamworth, New Hampshire, event on November 14, 1830: An alarm spread through Tamworth. “The wolves are coming down from the northern mountains in countless numbers.” A pack of wolves had entered a woodlot on Marston Hill—now Great Hill—threatening settlers and their livestock. Through the night, townspeople surrounded the woods, keeping the pack from entering the village. Local women brewed coffee and provided hearty refreshments to those keeping watch, without which, according to the historical account, “their trials and sufferings would have been vastly more severe.”

By daylight, some 600 people had assembled, from children of ten to a gray-haired veteran of fourscore years. Under the command of General Quimby of neighboring Sandwich, New Hampshire, the townspeople advanced upon the woods. What happened next became one of Tamworth’s most memorable tales.

We’ll bring the history, the coffee, and the story of a night Tamworth never forgot. Join us at the Remick farmstead—the site of Remick’s Hotel (now the Captain Enoch Remick House, initial build c. 1808), where General Quimby spoke to the gathered crowds, declaring victory over the siege—as we step back in time to this extraordinary day and explore the history, legend, and lore of the Siege of Wolves and its perceived antagonists.

NOTE: This event explores a local legend from 1830. While the historical text and story include the hunting of wolves, our goal is to share folklore connected to our site, not to endorse or glorify practices of the past. Join us to learn more about this gripping legend and discover the complexities of historical fact versus legend.

FEATURE EVENT: A GUIDED EXPEDITION   The event’s self-guided exploration options are listed below.
Immerse yourself in the story of the siege as you walk the grounds where aspects of the event are told to have taken place nearly 200 years ago. Discover the animals, people, places and traditions behind this enduring Tamworth legend from your costumed guide.

Siege of Wolves Interactive Expedition
Departure times: 10:30 a.m. | Noon | 1:30 p.m.   Preregistration is strongly encouraged.

Each walking expedition includes…

+ NH Wolf History & Conservation
Uncover details about wolves in New Hampshire, their place in our natural history, and the conservation story surrounding them today.

+ Militia History
Understand the world of the local militia and discover what life—and a long night on watch—might have been like in 1830.

+ Camp Coffee
Stay alert with a sipping sample of steaming Siege of Wolves coffee, brewed using local homestead-roasted coffee from Sandwich Coffee Roasters (available during the tour only), and warm up by the campfire. Bagged coffee is available for purchase while supplies last.

+ “Victory!” Celebrate the End of the Siege
Gather at “Remick’s Hotel” to hear details of General Quimby’s address to the crowd following the siege. And what better way to celebrate victory than with a little noise?! Legend has it that cheers rang out “in thunder tones” as General Quimby addressed the crowd from atop his carriage in front of the hotel. The commotion was said to have frightened the wolves so thoroughly that “there has not been one of them or their descendants seen or heard of in town since.” Revel in the victory by making a little thunder!

+ Step Inside “Remick’s Hotel”
Visit the cozy room of the once Remick’s Hotel, where thirsty revelers may have extended their celebration (more about that on the tour…): the apothecary used by the Drs. Remick from 1904–1993. Clad in age-darkened wood and mural remnants attributed to itinerant painter John Avery (1790–1871), the room is believed to have been the hotel’s tavern, artistically reimagined “back in time” for this event. All revelers receive a chit (voucher), redeemable at Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile for a same-day tasting of their aged Siege of Wolves Spiced Rum (infused with locally foraged and house-brewed extracts), available steps from the tour’s end.

+ “See the Siege” for Yourself
On view in the “hotel,” see Siege of Wolves, a painting by Jackson, New Hampshire, artist David C. Baker (1915–1999), depicting his interpretation of the historic event. This evocative painting (approximately 2′ x 3′) is on loan from the neighboring Tamworth History Center; painting detail shown here is courtesy of the Center.

SIEGE THE DAY!
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, an explorer, or simply curious about one of Tamworth’s most colorful legends, the Siege of Wolves offers a memorable way to connect with the past.

$5 | FREE for ages 9 and under   Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission applies to all visitors: guided expedition and self-guided exploration (details below).
Event wristbands will be provided at the front desk and are required for entry.
Guided expedition spots are limited; preregistration and prepayment are available.
NOTE: On this day, the museum and grounds are open for this event only.

Expedition registration options:
+ Online
+ Call (603) 323-7591
+ Email
+ At the front desk no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled departure times if spots remain available; first come, first served.

Self-guided Explorations for All Visitors  | 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Explore highlights of this legendary story at your own pace.
$5 admission fee and expedition access guidelines apply.

+ Follow the action-packed details of the legend as you discover informational kiosks located across the historic Remick site.

+ Visit our temporary wolf exhibit to see how wolves shaped life in New Hampshire until their removal in the early 20th century.

+ Have a chat with an 1830s New Hampshire militia reenactor.

+ Stop by the campfire to see how coffee was prepared during the 1830s.

+ Stand outside “Remick’s Hotel,” where General Quimby made his grand speech.

The historic account used in the event introduction was adapted from Joseph Gilman’s “The Siege of the Wolves: An Early Incident in the History of Tamworth”, originally published in the Boston Transcript and later reprinted in The Appletree. The link provided here accesses the story via a Google Books digital scan of Granite State Magazine, Volume IV, July–December, 1907.

Extend your Tamworth adventure!

These nearby locations can be *historic* stops before or after your visit…
Tamworth Bakery, open 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Eldridge’s Pop Shoppe, check the link for current hours.
Tamworth Distilling, open 12:00–5:00 p.m.
The Pub on Page Hill, open 4:00–9:00 p.m.

Check each location’s website for details and evening reservation links.