Heritage Commission Announces the Inaugural John Merkle Heritage Award Winners

The Exeter Heritage Commission Announces the Inaugural “John Merkle Heritage Awards” recognizing the work of John Merkle, Keith Whitehouse and Anthony Callendrello of The Exeter Apothecary.

Exeter, NH - July 2nd, 2026: The Exeter Heritage Commission is pleased to initiate the “John Merkle Heritage Awards” in conjunction with the Town of Exeter's 250 Celebrations. This award will be presented annually to a business, organization, project, or person who has made contributions to the preservation of Exeter’s rich heritage. The award is intended to inspire citizens to take pride in their heritage and continue its stewardship.

• The awards will be presented at a ceremony that will take place at the Exeter Bandstand on Monday, July 6th, at 7:30 pm. As part of Exeter’s 250 Celebration events.
• The awards ceremony will be followed by a 1st time ever town resident photo will be taken by drone, by Joe Stagnone. (Weather permitting)
• And a special 250 Celebration patriotic offered by the historic Exeter Brass Band, where there will be a community sing-along “America the Beautiful.” attendees will be treated to popsicles and patriotic giveaways.
• Inclement weather: The Brass Band concert will be held in Exeter Town Hall, as well as the Heritage Awards ceremony.

We invite the public to attend and recognize the work of the following three individuals.

John Merkle:

The Commission has named the award after Exeter resident John Merkle. Who passed away in 2025. Leaving a legacy of professional work as architect and volunteer, advancing historic preservation. John spearheaded the establishment of the Exeter Heritage Commission and served as its chairman for many years. John served for many years on the NH Preservation Alliance Board of Directors. John and his firm, TMS Architects, led many restoration efforts, including projects at the Phillips Exeter Academy, the American Independence Museum, Wentworth by the Sea, and the Music Hall in Portsmouth.

Tony Callendrello:

Mr. Callendrello has contributed to Exeter's historic downtown by revitalizing the former Charles Merrill Drugstore into a modern cocktail bar, now known as The Exeter Apothecary at 163 Water Street, while retaining the original features of the 1875 establishment. He was nominated by Barbara Rimkunas, Co-Director of the Exeter Historical Society. Who observed firsthand that Tony spent hours researching the interior using photographs in the collections of the Society.

Mr. Callendrello purchased the store in 2020 and chose to preserve, rather than remove, interior features such as the pressed tin ceilings and original woodwork. He retained the magnificent apothecary cabinets and chose deliberately to use these to create the ambiance needed for his new business, creating an environment of cocktail mixology quite reminiscent of Dr. Merrill's careful compounding heritage.

Keith Whitehouse:

Keith is recognized for his extensive volunteer work refurbishing and maintaining historic properties and public places in Exeter. He was nominated for this award by the Exeter Conservation Commission, chaired by Dave Short.

Dave Short’s philosophy in keeping Exeter’s rich history relevant today is to continue to honor our historic sites by ensuring they are well maintained, visible and accessible and secure for future generations. Dave states that much of Keith’s volunteer work is dedicated to doing just that.

The following is a limited list of Keith volunteer work:

• The Raynes Barn is a state-listed historic barn and property that figures prominently in Exeter’s history. For the past five years, the Conservation Commission has made substantial repairs to the property. Keith, along with Bill Semrau, have spent many hours augmenting this work.
• Gale Park War Memorial and Park were donated to the Town by Alice Gale Hobson, in memory of her father, General Stephen H. Gale. The statue is the work of Daniel Chester French. Keith, volunteering through the Exeter Parks and Recreation Department, along with Bill Semrau, cleared the overgrowth surrounding the statue, the benches and the walkways, and created flower beds. The statue and the park are now a prominent visual, honoring its history.
• Keith has reset collapsing wall stone, cleared brush, removed dead trees in Exeter’s many historic cemeteries, and continues with regular maintenance work therein.
• The Dan Healy Memorial monument, chiseled and sculpted by Steve Green and dedicated to Dan Healy, is located at the Exeter Recreational Pool. Dan Healy was a U.S. Navy SEAL who was shot down in a helicopter in Afghanistan during a June 2005 rescue mission to assist four fellow SEALs. It is important that the monument is visible and easily accessible to the public so that the sacrifice made can be appropriately honored. Keith took on the job of making that so.

About the Exeter Heritage Commission

The Heritage Commission was established in 2006 in the town of Exeter. The purpose of a Heritage Commission is to offer a valuable means for local governments to manage, recognize, and protect historical and cultural resources, townwide. It advises and assists other local boards and commissions; conducts inventories; educates the public on matters relating to historic preservation; conducts inventories of historical resources; and serves as a resource for revitalization efforts. Heritage Commissions can also play the role of the community’s heritage cheerleader.