Town History
   The town of Dixfield, founded in 1789 by Colonel Jonathan Holman, was called "Holmantown" until its incorporation on June 21, 1803 when the name was changed to Dixfield. An unkept promise by Dr. Elijah Dix changed its name forever. The good doctor had promised to build a library for the town if the citizens voted to change its name from Holmantown to Dixfield. The citizens voted to do just that, but the library never materialized. Dr. Dix in the meantime had moved, and mailed the citizens dusty, old boxes of medical books - printed in German, no less with which to found a library.

   The library was not built, however, until 1935 when a generous gift from Verdurina Ludden finally gave the town its much needed literary facility.
   Dixfield is still proud of its founding fathers and the hardy stock from which many of its current citizens have descended. The Dixfield Historical Society, founded in 1975 by 29 charter members, was revitalized in 1997 when the family of the late John Lucas Towle underwrote the loan with which to purchase the John Jackson Towle and Mary Frances Holman Homestead, located at 63 Main Street. Membership has grown to 210 members. The 18-room, three story house with its two-story shed was built in 1899. The tri-level barn was built in 1896 and was once part of the "Billy" Mitchell homestead located next door.
   Located within the barn is the John Lucas Towle Antique Tool Museum, an extensive collection left to the Towle family by the late John L. and Betty C. Towle. It boasts well over 1100 old tools, some of which are very rare.
   The museum is open from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day and by appointment.