Washington, a rural hill town in southern New Hampshire, was first settled in 1768, and was incorporated and named in honor of General George Washington in December of 1776. The first census taken in Washington Township was in 1773, by Issac Temple of Stoddard. At that time, the population of the town was 132. Subsequent census records show the population increased to a high of 1135 in 1830, when the town's economy sustained a variety of small mills, a resident physician, a dentist, three churches, and a hotel, in addition to nearly 200 farms. The town then maintained more than 50 miles of roads to provide transportation routes for these uses. There were eight school districts to provide educational opportunities for the children.

In addition to the usual institutions (churches, schools, lyceums, etc.) two unusual organizations developed in the town. The Seventh Day Adventist faith had its origins in Washington in the 1840's, and from here spread throughout the world. The original church building still stands in the southern part of Washington. A prestigious academy (Tubbs Union Academy) was founded in Washington in 1849, and although short-lived, at one time had an enrollment of more than 100 students from all over New Hampshire and beyond.

Many sons and daughters of the town have gone on to distinguished careers in a variety of fields. These include at least one United States Congressman, several college presidents, a number of college professors, and quite a few doctors, lawyers, ministers, and founders of major businesses. Most of these came from the mid-nineteenth century, when the population was much higher than at any time before or since. Some of Washington's distinguished citizens have been memorialized on the town common: twelve young men who died in the Civil War are honored with a soldiers' monument, and Sylvanus Thayer, "the father of West Point". The town library is named after Sarah Shedd, who worked in the Lowell Mills and gave her savings for the library.

The population of the town decreased continuously from 1830 until 1960 when the population reached a low of 162. Nearly all of the mills and businesses were gone by the beginning of the twentieth century, and many farms were abandoned as people moved west. Washington changed from a diverse, nearly self sufficient community to a predominantly rural residential town. There have been several large summer communities begun on the shores of some of the lakes in town. The many acres of cleared land for crops and pasture have returned to woodland, and many of the old roads have since been abandoned or closed subject to gates and bars. All but one of the schools were closed, as the diminishing population did not warrant so many in the town.

After World War II the country began to grow anew, and Washington was no exception, although growth was slow to come to this area. Since 1960, the population has grown, but at a slower rate than the previous population boom in the 1800's. The population is projected to reach the previous high of 1,135 by the year 2010. The town must now plan for future growth, and decide how best to control it in order to maintain the qualities of life that make Washington such a desirable place to live. The town also must consider the realities of a larger population in terms of needed services, both public and private.

Two large volumes provide a thorough history of the town: A History of Washington, New Hampshire, 1768-1886, published in 1886 and reprinted in 1976, and Portrait of a Hill Town: A History of Washington, New Hampshire, 1876-1976, published in 1976.