It was 125 years ago when a group of thirteen spirited women recognized the need for a hospital in Plymouth to “relieve suffering regardless of ghostly situations.” These prominent women labored tirelessly to raise money to see their dream come true. The result was the Emily Balch Cottage Hospital named in honor of the lead organizer’s mother – later renamed the Emily Balch and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital when the town rebuilt it following a disastrous fire.

For the next two decades, this fulfilled the needs of the community. But by 1940, the town desired a more modern facility and serendipity struck when successful businessman Mr. Sceva Speare visited a long-time friend at the hospital. He spontaneously offered $50,000 toward a new hospital if this amount was matched by the community. It took nine years of fundraising and the conclusion of World War II before construction began where Speare is located today.

Since then the hospital has gone through further transformations, with a major renovation and addition of a new surgical operation suite and intensive care unit in 1989, an expanded emergency department in 1996, and renovated medical-surgical and obstetrics units with all private patient rooms in 1998, culminating in a $15 million renovation and expansion in 2006.

Today, Speare Memorial Hospital plays an integral role in our community providing services our forefathers never dreamed possible. We are a 21st-century, state-of-the-art critical access hospital located in the central heart of New Hampshire. We have centers for sleep, weight management, imaging, wound care, and acid reflux. Speare has six medical practices and our Boulder Point location in Plymouth houses our orthopedic, primary care, and eye care. We have partnerships that bolster both our orthopedic and oncology services. Our emergency department has been designated an Adult and Pediatric Level IV Trauma Center, saving precious lives. And we are one of the few remaining rural hospitals to deliver babies.

Throughout these 125 years, it is the hundreds and hundreds of people working at Speare utilizing modern technology and providing compassionate healthcare services to keep our neighbors and visitors well that have made the greatest impact on the overall health of those who live in central New Hampshire.

Healthcare has changed a lot over time, but high-quality, compassionate care delivered by a team of skilled and dedicated medical providers, remains at the heart of Speare Memorial Hospital. We will continue to respond to the changing healthcare needs of our central New Hampshire communities while remaining true to our mission—to work together to serve the healthcare needs of our patients and community, helping them reach optimal health.

We stand ready to be your one-stop resource for health and wellness across the spectrum of life.