Orford, New Hampshire, Grafton County
Orford is a rural community on the Connecticut River in western New Hampshire. Home to approximately 1200 people, Orford is known for its historic “ridge” homes, as well as family farms and small businesses. Much of Orford is forested, providing for a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, boating, snowshoeing and hunting. Chartered in 1761, Orford has a history of close ties with its neighboring towns on the Vermont side of the river. In 1998, Orford and the Vermont towns of Fairlee, West Fairlee and Vershire formed the preK-12 Rivendell Interstate School District. Mount Cube, Sunday Mountain and Cottonstone Mountain, Indian Pond and Upper and Lower Baker ponds are distinctive features of the Orford landscape. The Appalachian Trail passes over the summit of Mt. Cube, and the cross-Rivendell trail connects Orford to neighboring Vermont towns.
Orford is about 18 miles north of Hanover and Dartmouth College, along the scenic Connecticut River Valley. It’s an easy drive to the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park, the Kancamagus Highway, and Lake Winnipesaukee.
Idyllic Orford on the Connecticut
Click here to read the article in the New Hampshire magazine about Orford, a “textbook example of a New England small town”
Changes to the Archertown Road Bridge over Jacobs Brook
The bridge on Archertown road over Jacobs brook which is between Dublin and Town Shed roads is scheduled to be rebuilt during the 2025 construction season. Unfortunately it has developed some conditions that now require more engineering study to determine its actual condition. Until those results are known the Selectboard, after discussions with the Road Agent and Police Chief, have instituted some changes to weight limit and traffic patterns for the bridge.
- The weight limit of the bridge will be lowered to 3 tons. Passenger vehicles only
- Jersey barriers and wooden rails or partitions will be used to narrow the driving lane to the center 11 feet of the existing width. The bridge will continue to be posted as a one lane bridge
- To reduce speed over the bridge Eastbound and Westbound traffic will be required to stop at the bridge
- New stop signs will be added on the west end of the bridge and just east of the bridge on Archertown road at the Dublin Road intersection. New signs will be installed that indicate: ” Stop ahead”
Notices and Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events:
March 15th – November 7th – Hike Orford – please click here for more information
May 2nd – September 26th – Household Hazardous Waste Collection dates and locations – please click here for more information
Please refer to the Calendar for regularly scheduled meetings
Notices:
TOWN OF ORFORD
The Town of Orford NH is selling a used construction equipment trailer, and a used backhoe bucket. The trailer and bucket can be seen at the Town Highway Department located at 154 Townshed Road in Orford. Contact Road Agent Ted Nutter at 603-353-9366 with any questions about the equipment. The Selectboard reserves the right to accept or refuse any or all bids and relist if necessary. Items will be sold as-is, as seen, with no implied warranty or guarantee of any kind.
Anyone interested in placing a bid should submit a sealed bid in writing, and drop off at the Orford Town Office, or mail it to:
Town of Orford, NH
Selectmen’s Office
2529 Route 25A
Orford, NH 03777
Attn: Equipment Bid
All sealed bids must include a contact name, address, phone number, and email address from bidder. Payment and removal must be performed within 5 days of notification of winning bid.
Bids are due by September 19, 2026
THE ORFORD HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS HAVING A CULVERT REPLACED ON 9/8/2026 IN THE AREA OF 143 ARCHERTOWN ROAD, AND THE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED IN THIS AREA DURING THIS REPLACEMENT FOR THAT DAY. SIGNAGE WILL BE PUT UP SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THIS. ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT AT 603-353-9366.
E-Coli Readings – Please click here for the most recent e-coli readings in Orford’s ponds and waterways
Lyme Fiber – The folks at LymeFiber have notified us their internet service is now available in Orford. If you live on River Road, Route 10 from the Lyme border to Archertown Road, or connecting roads, you can sign up to get their service. Go to LymeFiber.net/orford for a map and a signup page or Call 833-795-5300
How to Sign Up for the New Orford Email Lists
There are two new Orford email lists to replace the old, blocked list:
The first new address is for official Town business. The new address is:
townoforford@googlegroups.com
You will need to sign up.
To subscribe, go to: https://groups.google.com/g/townoforford and click,
“Ask to join group” at the top of the page. You will receive a reply shortly.
The second new address replaces the old Orford Google Groups list.
The new address for general Orford information and discussions is:
orford@lists.vitalcommunities.org
You will need to sign up for this list too.
To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to:
orford-subscribe@lists.vitalcommunities.org
** Then, look for the “Please Confirm” email, and follow the instructions within it. **
Hike Safe
For your safety and well-being, please refer to these NH Fish & Game Recreational Responsibility Guidelines before heading out to hike Orford’s many beautiful trails
NH Fuel Assistance Program
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for heat during the winter season, the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) may be able to provide some relief. Please refer to our Services Page for additional information, or click here to connect to the NH Department of Energy page