[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12986]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         GILSUM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

 Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, today I wish to recognize an 
important milestone for the town of Gilsum, NH, upon the occasion of 
its semiquincentennial anniversary. Situated in scenic southwest New 
Hampshire, Gilsum actually received its first charter in 1752 under the 
name Boyle but was never settled. Governor Benning Wentworth re-
chartered this land in 1763 to five proprietors, including Samuel 
Gilbert and his son-in-law Thomas Sumner. The name ``Gilsum'' was a 
compromise reached to resolve Gilbert and Sumner's ongoing dispute over 
the name of their new settlement.
  Historically, Gilsum was a farming and manufacturing community, 
making use of the nearby Ashuelot River to power multiple factories by 
the 1850s. Gilsum also boasted a productive mine, which provided 
important economic stability for the town during its early years of 
development. Today, Gilsum is home to the W.S. Badger Company, a 
quintessential New Hampshire small business success story that now 
sells its wonderful skincare products, including its ``Badger Balm,'' 
across the country.
  Gilsum will mark its 250th anniversary in August with a parade, 
talent show, community exhibits and music to commemorate its proud 
heritage. I rise today to wish Gilsum a joyful celebration of this 
important milestone and thank all its citizens for their contributions 
to New Hampshire.

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