As we begin a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, New Hampshire stands at the heart of the story. Not just because of its bold motto — Live Free or Die — but because of the quiet, powerful ways its people have always defined freedom: through community, resilience, and the homes they built to last.
As Thelma Katz & Associates celebrates its 50 years, we reflect on the belief that freedom isn’t just a founding principle. It’s a feeling. And nowhere is that feeling more tangible than in the place you call home.
In 1776, New Hampshire was the first colony to establish its own independent government. Its citizens didn’t wait for permission — they acted. From the Pine Tree Riot to the raid on Fort William and Mary, New Hampshire’s Revolutionaries were bold, local, and deeply rooted in their land.
Freedom to our Revolutionaries meant; the right to gather in town meetings, the ability to own and defend property, as well as the courage to build something lasting in uncertain times
These weren’t abstract ideals. They were lived experiences — shaped by families like the Starks and the Fellows, whose homes still stand as quiet witnesses to that era.
Fast forward 250 years, and the meaning of “home” has evolved — but the emotional core remains. Today, homeownership in New Hampshire still represents; stability in a changing world, independence to shape your space and your future, belonging in a community that values history, nature, and neighborly care, and legacy — the chance to build something that lasts beyond you.
Whether it’s a historic farmhouse in Derryfield or a newly built colonial in Bedford, every home tells a story. And every homeowner becomes part of New Hampshire’s ongoing narrative of freedom.
At Thelma Katz & Associates, we don’t just sell homes — we help people find places where they can live freely, love deeply, and grow roots. This year, we’re honoring Freedom 250 by spotlighting the homes, families, and communities that have shaped New Hampshire’s identity.
We’ll be exploring; Revolutionary-era homes and the people who built them, the evolution of property rights and civic engagement, what it means to “live free” in today’s housing market, and how heritage and homeownership intersect in powerful ways.
Welcome to celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Welcome home.