The Randolph Foundation

Randolph, NH 2023 Annual Report [8.7 MB pdf • right-click to download]

Randolph, NH 200th anniversary

Randolph, NH will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2024! The Town of Randolph and The Randolph Foundation are generously sponsoring the Bicentennial festivities.

The August 2nd - 4th Celebration Weekend will include community dinners, music, a parade, games and activities, food trucks, a square dance, a tennis tournament, a Durand Lake 60th birthday party, a hymn sing, various presentations, a church concert, and a 50/50 raffle.

To view a list of activities and events visit RandolphEvents.org

Mission:

The Randolph Foundation was created, and is sustained, by the residents and friends of Randolph, New Hampshire. The Foundation supports the needs of Randolph and its neighboring towns in a variety of areas including conservation, communication, education, recreation, town history, leadership, health and welfare, and other important issues as determined by the Board of Directors and the Randolph community.

History:

In 1960, the Ravine House, a well-known North Country Inn, closed its doors. A group of Randolph citizens formed a community foundation to preserve the Ravine House property from private development by placing it in a trust. The original incorporators were Douglas Horton, Gordon Lowe, Miriam Underhill, James Alexander and Katherine Wood. Hershner Cross was appointed auditor. The Randolph Foundation's Articles of Agreement, formally establishing the organization, were recorded on August 20, 1962.

In 1966, 51 acres, including the swimming pool, park and Durand Lake were deeded to the town of Randolph. That same year the Randolph Foundation began an educational scholarship program that provided a scholarship to any Randolph resident for post secondary education. The Foundation also pledged to support the maintenance and upkeep of the swimming pool, the Ravine House site, Durand Lake and the tennis court. The Foundation retained ownership of one original Ravine House Site parcel that includes Crystal Spring - the water source for the Ravine House bathhouses and drinking fountain, as well as several private homes.

In 1987, Hershner Cross, President, along with the other directors of the Randolph Foundation reaffirmed that the priorities of the Foundation should be; educational scholarships, up keep of the Ravine House pool and site, Durand Lake, support for the elderly, support for the town cemetery, and compiling the town's historical records.

In 1989, the Katherine Wood Memorial Program was established providing matching grants to senior citizens for the Lifeline Emergency Response system.

In 1990, Hershner Cross created the Bowers-Cross Memorial Fund of the Randolph Foundation to fund The Mountain View, the Randolph Weekly, and/or successor publications. These publications were to be distributed free of charge to Randolph residents.

The Randolph Foundation has made significant grants over the years to support the bridges, shelters and camps of the Randolph Mountain Club. In 2010, The Foundation worked with the Mountain Club and the Town of Randolph to purchase the Mt. Crescent Trailhead property for inclusion in the Randolph Community Forest. The Foundation has also made gifts to support other purchases for the Randolph Community Forest, as well as shelving for the Randolph Public Library.

The Randolph Foundation Priorities:

Publications

The Foundation funds the quarterly Mountain View which is sent to over 700 homes, The Blizzard, which is sent to 200 local residents in the winter and The Randolph Weekly which is distributed every Friday during the months of July and August. See our publications page....

Scholarships

Since 1966, the Randolph Foundation has awarded scholarships to eligible Randolph residents to pursue their studies at the post-secondary level. See our scholarship page for details.

Grants

The Foundation awards grants for special projects that benefit the Town, its residents and the surrounding communities. View our Grant Guidelines here....

Lifeline

The Foundation supports the Lifeline service which equips the user with a lightweight button for emergency use. This service, which connects to the New England Emergency Response System, provides residents access to help immediately in an emergency. More information about Lifeline here....

Ravine House Site/Durand Lake

The Randolph Foundation oversees and supports the yearly mowing around Durand Lake and the Ravine House site as well as maintenance of the tennis court and the Ravine House pool. Read more about the Recreation area here...

Durand Lake
Lake Durand Photo taken by Mary Gail Scott

The Foundation can be reached by mail at:
Randolph Foundation
PO Box 283
Gorham, NH 03581

Or by email at:
randolphnhfoundation@gmail.com