When they moved to Penacook in the 18th century, the Rolfes were considered pioneers for leaving the original Concord settlement. Now the family is recognized as important figures in the history of Concord.

Recently, the Rolfe family historic district in Penacook was named to the State Register of Historic Places. The district is part of the former Nathaniel Rolfe Farm, which was the first established settlement in that section of Penacook, according to the state Division of Historical Resources. Preservation consultant Liz Durfee Hengen said it is the first district in Concord to be listed on the state register.

"The property is valued for its centuries of Rolfe family history on the property, going from agricultural use to industrial use," Hengen said.

The property includes three homes and a barn. The Penacook Historical Society owns three buildings - a double English barn, an 1834 Greek Revival house and a house behind the barn that was built in 1774. The fourth building, a Queen Anne house, is still owned by a descendant of the Rolfe family.

The historical society is nearly done rehabilitating the barn, where it has held several open house events, said historical society President Carol Foss. The 1774 home will be left largely untouched as a place where people can come to study the architecture of the time. The 1834 home, which the society bought in January, will become the historical society's headquarters, with office and meeting space.

SHIRA SCHOENBERG