the pittsfield center historic district encompasses the civic and commercial heart of pittsfield, new hampshire. this area is defined by a roughly square bend in the suncook river, whose power provided an impetus for the development of the town in the 19th century. the dominant feature of the district is the 1827 joy cotton mill, a four-story brick building at the base of main street. there are three churches, including the 1863 gothic revival st. stephen's episcopal church, and the town office building, a significantly altered 1789 meeting house. the district also includes the main commercial district and some of the surrounding residential areas. it was listed on the national register of historic places in 1980.