Alpheus Gay House

The Alpheus Gay House is a historic home located in Manchester, New Hampshire on 184 Myrtle Street. It was built around 1870 by local building contractor Alpheus Gay and was one of the most elaborate Italianate style houses in the state of New Hampshire. The house is described as a two and a half story house with complex massing, a roofline studded with paired brackets on the main block and modillions on the servants wing and a three story tower above its main entry.

Alpheus Gay was born May 14th, 1819 in Francestown, New Hampshire to Alpheus and Susannah Gay. He was a well educated person, receiving an education both locally and at Francestown Academy before beginning his education and career as a carpenter with his father. He then picked up teaching three years later in New Boston and followed that teaching at Francestown for several following winters.  

Upon his arrival to Manchester in 1841, Alpheus Gay worked as a carpenter until 1850, and then became a contractor and builder. He is noted for building a number of the best and largest business blocks, churches and public buildings in Manchester, including: court house, jail, industrial school, Saint Joseph's cathedral, Grace church, the city library, the High, Ash and Lincoln and Franklin-street schoolhouses, and also many private residences throughout the city. In part of his success, he was appointed superintendent of the construction of the government building in 1886, which was successfully completed under his direction and care.

His life was not limited to his work, however, as Alpheus Gay was a life-long Democrat,and was one of the few Democratic mayors of Manchester, elected in 1875. He was a member of the board of water commissioners from its founding in 1871, and for many years was the president of its board. He was also president of the Citizen's Building and Loan Association and vice president of the Bank of New Hampshire, and held other positions of similar responsibility. Alpheus Gay was a member of the building committee of the new state normal school at Plymouth. He was past master of Lafayette lodge, A.F. and A.M., a member of Trinity commandery, K.T., and of the Mystic Shrine.

Sadly, this man of many qualities and extraordinary feats passed away April 21, 1902 and the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The house was handled by the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire for a period of time until being handed off into private management, where it currently remains in terms of care. This house was made by a man of many talents and its beautiful Italianate style transcends time, making it an ideal location to visit if you are looking for a home rich in lore, history and lesser known to the public eye.

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/manchester-nh/points-of-interest/alpheus-gay-house

https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2QHN

http://www.nh.searchroots.com/HillsboroughCo/Manchester/bios/Gay_Alpheus.txt