Limerick: Discover History and Nature

You can focus your trip to Limerick in different ways: Upper Village tells the story of the town’s history, a public swimming beach sits on Sokokis Lake, and viewpoints and natural areas offer more to explore. These places have different characteristics and conditions of use—from historic buildings to a beach visit to trails and views.

Local History in Upper Village

The Limerick Upper Village Historic District comprises 28 properties, including three built before the founding of the state. Three houses in the District date from before 1820: the Rev. Edmund Eastman House, the Capt. Benjamin Gilpatrick House, and the Maj. General John McDonald House. Together with homes, shops, three churches, a former academy, a library, a town hall, several cemeteries, a bandstand, a park, and a memorial stone, they create a multifaceted picture of the historic area of town.

This mix can help you get your bearings: the District is not focused solely on early houses, but also includes public and community-oriented buildings and places of remembrance. Limerick Townhouse, locally known as Brick Town Hall, has served the community since 1860. The Limerick Historical Society’s collections are housed in the Moore Building and Limerick Academy on Main Street.

Limerick Academy holds an annual open house, often featuring special exhibits. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the event dates in advance. The collection locations and annual event offer different ways to explore local history; don’t assume a visit to the collections coincides with the open house.

Sokokis Lake and Viewpoints

Limerick’s public swimming beach is on Scout Island in the middle of Sokokis Lake. Access is on Island Road, beyond the causeway, after you pass through the gate. These details go together for finding your way: the beach is on the island, and access is via Island Road and the causeway. Since information about public recreation can change seasonally, check current access conditions before your visit.

A public viewpoint is located at Sokokis Trail North on Route 5, about one mile north of the town center. From the Sokokis Trail Overlook, the view extends east across the coastal plain and north to include Mount Washington. The directions of the views are distinct: the coastal plain is to the east, and the named mountain is to the north. This can help you anticipate which landscape the viewpoint brings into view in each direction when planning your trip.

Natural Areas and Outdoor Activities

The Heath is in Limerick and Cornish. A public access easement covers 188 acres of land there near Route 5. The area includes a wetland with at least seven rare plant species. Visitors can explore the Heath Loop Trail around the wetland. This site combines a trail through the area with a distinctive natural environment; check trail conditions before your trip.

Access to Sawyer Mountain on the Limerick side is also easy to pinpoint: it begins on Sawyer Mountain Road, 1.1 miles north of Emerys Corner. There is a small parking area for use during daylight hours, as well as the Smith Trail, which runs through the forest. The access point, parking, and trail are separate practical details; in particular, note the daylight-hours restriction and check access information before your visit.

The Sawyer Mountain Highlands are open for public use for hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling on existing trails, and cross-country skiing. This range includes activities on foot, uses of existing trails, and winter recreation. Permitted uses may change due to conservation rules or seasonal conditions, so check the applicable conditions before making plans.

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