Walpole, a picturesque New England town on the banks of the Connecticut River, is older than the nation itself. Founded in 1752 by Colonial charter from New Hampshire's royal governor, the town's history parallels that of the nation, and it retains historic settings-period homes, gardens, squares, and commons. Walpole has been home to farmers, loggers, and mill and railroad workers, as well as artists, writers, and world-class chocolatiers. The traditional sense of community is as alive today in Walpole as it was in the early days, when community was necessary for survival.