Once part of Barrington, Strafford was set off due to the lengthy travel required to attend town meetings.

Settled prior to the Revolution, the town incorporated in 1820, taking its name from the county in which it is located.

After his death, the hundred-acre farm of George Washington Foss was purchased, and soon a beautiful new building, designed by well-known New Hampshire architect J. Edward Richardson, sat on the hill with the name on its façade, "Austin-Cate Academy - 1903".

[1] Bow Lake covers 1,160 acres (470 ha) in the southern part of town.

The Blue Hills Range divides the town in half, running southwest to northeast.

Parker Mountain, the highest point in the range and in Strafford, rises to 1,420 feet (430 m) above sea level.