There are many ways to experience Wolfeboro, but perhaps none more unique than The Museum Loop, highlighted by a boat or trolley ride.
On the tour, featuring three museums on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, visitors ride to or from The Libby Museum in New Hampshire Boat Museum’s antique “Millie B.” Visitors then ride back in a trolley in the opposite direction.
A day loop pass is valid for 1 day in August and includes a boat ride, return trolley ride and entry to New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) and The Libby Museum. A summer loop pass includes the aforementioned plus admission to Wright Museum of World War II and non-Trail member The Clarke House Museum.
“As summer comes to an end, individuals are anxious to pack in as many activities as possible,” said Wright Museum Executive Director Mike Culver when discussing the popularity of The Museum Loop. “This is a fun way to do that.”
NHBM Executive Director Martha Cummings agreed and added, “This is a unique way to experience Wolfeboro and multiple types of history in one day.”
The tour takes place every Thursday and Friday (weather permitting) at 9:30 a.m. through the end of August. For more information, visit nhbm.org, or call (603) 998-3286.
The NH Heritage Museum Trail is made up of 17 museums with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.
Located in the Lakes Region on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth features everything from getting to know farm animalstointeractive farm tour, self-led history-based activities and more.
One of the most popular summer activities at the museum, however, may be The Country Doctor Tour at the Captain Enoch Remick House.
“This brief guided tour features the doctors’ authentic 19th and 20th-century medical tools and equipment, visitation and treatment areas and one-of-a-kind historic apothecary that predates the earliest local pharmacy,” said Museum Marketing Coordinator Dawne Gilpatrick.
Tours take place from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
After these tours, visitors are welcome to help with light-duty farm chores, some of which include gathering eggs, feeding the pigs and giving hay to the goats.
“You can also meet the small dairy herd and watch as a cow is milked by machine,” she added.
On Thursday, August 22 in the ongoing Plants of Field & Forest Program, participants are taken on a tour of the museum property to learn how to identify naturally-growing plants and their benefits.
Other activities at Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm include indoor exhibits and a Color from Plants Fiber Dyeing Workshop on August 31.
“The museum is a special way to spend a summer day,” said Gilpatrick. “We offer an opportunity for all generations to get an active feel for rural life, past and present…While we may be a present-day farm, many people tell us they feel as though they’ve stepped back in time–it’s a bit of Remick magic.”
For more information about Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm and its activities, visit remickmuseum.org.
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
In August on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, visitors will enjoy everything from art to walking tours.
Every Thursday during the summer months, the Currier Museum of Art offers special programs for children, youth and families from 11am to 2pm. On Thursday, August 22, Currier Museum of Art in Manchester will conclude its summer-long Art Explorer’s series with “Create your own Mythical Creature.”
The event invites visitors of all ages for drop-in art-making. Materials include: tempera paint, colorful yarn, feathers, googly eyes, gems, sequins, and animal print construction paper.
“Offering a creative and welcoming environment for community members is one of the museum’s priorities,” said Manager of School Tours and Youth Programs Amanda Horrocks. “Programs like Art Explorers does just that by encouraging visitors to engage with art in new ways.”
To learn more about the Currier Museum of Art’s exhibitions and programs, visit currier.org
On Saturday, August 31, Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth Village will host Color from Plants Fiber Dyeing Workshop, which will take participants through the art and craft of fiber dyeing with plants.
“We’re used to the idea that plants are food or pretty things to look at, but so many of our colors come from plants,” said Museum Educator and Herbalist Carol Felice. “To watch as a plant turns fabric a fabulous color is like playing with magic.”
Registration for the workshop closes on August 26. To learn more, visit remickmuseum.org
At Discover Portsmouth in Portsmouth, visitors can enjoy Portsmouth Women’s History Walking Tours every fourth Wednesday and third Friday of the month through October 18.
According to Walking Tour Manager Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf, these 75 minute “engaging tours” take guests through the city’s “many beautiful sites” while providing education on the history of Portsmouth women.
“There are a lot of stories told about men but not many about the strong women of this time,” she said. “We started this tour because we realized women have a lot of untold stories, too.”
To learn more, visit portsmouthhistory.org.
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
Featuring 17 member institutions from Portsmouth to Plymouth and several points west and north, the NH Heritage Museum Trail features numerous events for all ages in early August.
On Saturday, August 3 in Exeter, American Independence Museum will express its appreciation for residents in SAU 16 with Free Admission Day. Sponsored by Kennebunk Savings, the day will provide free admission to residents who live in the towns of Exeter, Brentwood, Kingston, Newfields, and Stratham as well as town employees, including teachers, with valid ID.
“We are so grateful for the support of Kennebunk Savings,” said Museum Executive Director Emma Bray. “This is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to visit us and see all the new enhancements in our museum.”
For individuals who may live closer to the state’s center, Saturday August 3 features Changemakers, a dance performance that concludes Arts Week at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury. Arts Week is a two-week long event that engages visitors of all ages in the creative process.
“We will have dance, art, sculpture, even a performance by aerialists,” noted Maggie Stier of Canterbury Shaker Village, “and children get free admission from 10 – 4 on August 3rd for Shaker Saturday activities.”
A dance collaboration between Ballet Misha and Nsquared, Changemakers takes place at Canterbury Shaker Village’s Education Center at 5:30 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended.
On Wednesday, August 7, The Libby Museum in Wolfeboro will hold its final Live Animal Show.
According to Executive Director Alana Albee, Live Animal Shows are one of the “most popular” events at the museum.”
“It’s a chance to learn and get up close to exotic and local animals,” she said. “Our first event this summer included a 6 foot Australian Python, an African Frog and a distant relative to the raccoon, a Guatamuny.”
Held in partnership with Wildlife Encounters, the free event begins at 2 p.m.
For more information about these events or the many others on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, visit the website.
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
In July, the NH Heritage Museum Trail will feature numerous family-friendly events in its Merrimack Valley branch.
On Saturday, July 20, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester will hold Twilight at the Currier 3rd annual summer block party. The entire museum will be open at no charge.
The free, family-friendly event, open to all ages, will include both indoor and outdoor activities related to the exhibition, Medieval to Metal: The Art and Evolution of the Guitar. There will be a community art project based on guitars, face-painting, an LED hoop performer, many food trucks, and a beer and wine tent.
Music will be provided by Way Up South, whose sound weaves together southern, blues, country, jazz, and Americana rock.
“Block parties are a great excuse for neighbors to get together and have some fun,” said Alan Chong, director, Currier Museum of Art. “We invite all of our neighbors – from across the whole state – to stop by to see our art and our exhibitions, listen to some great music, and get their families involved in some creative activities.”
On Tuesday, July 23, Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury will kick off its Arts Week, which will conclude on Saturday, August 3.
During the two-week-long event, visitors may experience everything from art workshops to dance, music performances, and more.
“Creativity thrives here,” said Canterbury Shaker Village Interim Executive Director Maggie Stier. “Innovation was so important to the Shakers, and the setting seems to encourage that today, too – whether it’s observing, interacting, or making something yourself.”
For more information on the many activities offered during Arts Week visit shakers.org.
On Saturday, July 27 in Manchester, Millyard Museum will offer an educational tour of Manchester Hebrew Cemetery.
Through an in-depth tour presented by local historians Richard Duckoff and Matt Labbe, visitors will learn about Jewish history and Manchester heritage.
In speaking on these and various other events in the Merrimack Valley portion of The Trail in July, President Jeff Barraclough said they combine the “perfect amount of education and fun.”
“Visitors will gain historical knowledge without even feeling like they are learning,” he said. “These experiences are fun and educational for the whole family.”
In Wolfeboro in the Lakes Region branch of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, July will feature many fun opportunities for all ages.
At New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM), Executive Director Martha Cummings said the New England Vintage Boat and Car Auction on Saturday, July 13 is one of their biggest events.
“It’s a lot of fun to be able to see boats, cars, kayaks and unique collectibles you won’t find anywhere else,” she said. “It’s a great day for everyone.”
On Sunday, July 14 at Family Day, Wright Museum will feature WWII re-enactors, children story-telling, rides in military vehicles, face-painting and more.
“This is a fun day that gets the entire town involved,” said museum Executive Director Mike Culver. “There is so much to see and do at The Wright and throughout town this special day.
At The Libby Museum of Natural History on Saturday, July 27, visitors (teens and adults) can enjoy a unique combination of art and nature at Wildlife Sketching Class, taught by artist Stephanie Ayers.
“This class is a fun community event where you can learn to draw real animals like a polar bear, moose, or fisher cat from the taxidermy collection housed at the museum,” said Executive Director Alana Albee. “Right now, we have a 14-year old and an 84 year-old signed up. This is a nice way to get the whole family together to try something different.”
According to Trail President Jeff Barraclough, the entire Trail is “full of fun, family friendly activities.”
“My hope is that people look to us for not just history, but a fun time for the whole family this summer,” he said. “Celebrating our ‘heritage’ can be fun.”
In June, the NH Heritage Museum Trail features numerous events in the Merrimack Valley Region expected to attract many visitors.
Aviation Museum of New Hampshire
On Saturday, June 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the museum will host Nashua BBQ Fly-in at Nashua Airport. All forms of transportation from car, train, bus, or motorcycle are welcome.
For more information on either event or Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, visit www.aviationmuseumofnh.org.
Canterbury Shaker Village
On Wednesday, June 19 at 5 p.m., Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury will celebrate its 50th- anniversary with a Gala and Auction.
The festive celebration, sponsored by Elektrisola Incorporated, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Northeast Delta Dental, and CGI Business Solutions, will include hors d‘oeuvres, dinner, entertainment, and silent and live auctions.
The event is $150.00 per person and begins at 5 p.m. in the Horse Barn. At 6:30 p.m., the event will be moved to the North Shop for a shaker inspired dinner and live auction.
On Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30, Canterbury Shaker Village will hold Traditional Craft Days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This two-day event, sponsored by New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, will include many vendors as well as demonstrators in woodworking, weaving, rug hooking, brook making, oval box making, letterpress printing and more. There will also be hands-on activities, music, and food.
Special guided tours will be offered for an extra fee of $10.
To learn more about either event or Canterbury Shaker Village, visit www.shakers.org.
Currier Museum of Art
On Sunday, June 2, the Palace Theatre in Manchester will hold its 15th Annual Kitchen Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which this year features a partnership with the Currier Museum of Art. In addition to exploring some of the finest kitchen designs in Bedford, Manchester, and Amherst, the event will also include the historic Zimmerman House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Palace Theatre’s Kitchen Tour will also offer an open-seated luncheon at Baron’s Major Brands catered by O Steaks and Seafood. There will also be an after-party from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Frank Webb Home. Ticket sales benefit The Palace Theatre.
For more information, visit www.currier.org.
New Hampshire Historical Society
On Tuesday, June 25, the NH Historical Society in Concord will offer Tales of New Hampshire Family Storytime.
This weekly one-hour program includes a shared story about the Granite State and a visit to the exhibition, Discovering New Hampshire, to see museum objects related to the stories.
The stories include iconic New Hampshire figures like the Old Man of the Mountain.
Sponsored by Concord Pediatric Dentistry, Tales of New Hampshire Family Storytime is free of charge and takes place on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. for six weeks from June 25 to July 30.
For more information on the New Hampshire Historical Society and their events visit www.nhhistory.org.
In June, there is plenty to see and do in the Seacoast Region on the NH Heritage Museum Trail.
USS Albacore Museum
On Saturday, June 1 at the USS Albacore Museum in Portsmouth, visitors can view the new museum gallery representing this year’s theme, “Portsmouth Built Submarines.”
The Museum Gallery Opening, featuring the USS Albacore, USS Squalus, USS Thresher and USS Jack, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
New to the museum this year is the USS Dolphin. While the Albacore has long been known for its submerged speed capability, the USS Dolphin is known for its ability to dive the deepest.
To learn more visit, www.ussalbacore.org.
American Independence Museum
In Exeter, the American Independence Museum’s HUZZAH! Family Workshop Series will feature Colonial Games on Thursday, June 13.
The Colonial Games Workshop will allow children to play different 18th century games as well as create their own board games and take them home.
The “HUZZAH!” program series is geared towards children six and older and their families. The sessions take place at Folsom Tavern in Exeter on select Thursdays in June from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $8 per non-member child and $5 per member child.
To learn more about this event or other events in the “HUZZAH!” series, visit www.independencemuseum.org.
Discover Portsmouth: Portsmouth Historical Society
On Thursday, June 20, Portsmouth Historical Society will welcome “Folk Art and American Modernism,” presented by Paul D’Ambrosio, as part of its 2019 Folk Art Lecture Series.
As President and CEO of Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmer’s Art Museum, Inc. in Cooperstown, New York, D’Ambrosio is a leading scholar of American folk art and widely published author.
The Lecture will consist of a discussion regarding folk art and modern artists of the early twentieth century, such as Charles Sheeler, Elie Nadelman, Marguerite Zorach and others.
D’Ambrosio will also examine the influence of Hamilton Easter Field and the Ogunquit School in the early collecting of American folk art.
The event will take place between 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Middle Street in Portsmouth. Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
Though their respective subject matter is separated by nearly 175 years, a common conceptual thread connects the American Independence Museum and Wright Museum of WWII on the NH Heritage Museum Trail.“We both use a war to illustrate complex ideas,” said Wright Museum Executive Director Mike Culver.
In the case of Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, Culver said these ideas often touch on the home front during WWII, which he said is not often covered at traditional “war museums.”
“We show what was happening in American culture at the time and how who we were at that time helps shed light on who we are today,” he added.At the American Independence Museum in Exeter, which features an original copy of the Declaration of Independence and two working drafts of the US Constitution, Executive Director Emma Bray said the Revolutionary War illustrates civic engagement.
“Civic Engagement is our theme for this year, and one we feel should be part of our programs and many of our exhibits moving forward,” she said. “Why does civic engagement matter? Our current political climate can certainly testify to its importance today, and that can be traced back to our nation’s founding.”
For Jeff Barraclough, President of the NH Heritage Museum Trail and Director of Operations at the Millyard Museum in Manchester, history matters more than many people think.
“We are not talking about facts and dates,” he said. “We are revealing aspects of New Hampshire and American culture in unique and fun ways,” he said. “Many of us offer all kinds of hands-on opportunities and programs for kids and people of all ages. Museums on The Trail are all defined by their focus on what is happening outside their walls.”
Noting Wright Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, Culver said while The Trail attracts roughly 250,000 visitors annually, there is one caveat.
“There are people right in our towns who still do not know about us,” he said. “Where else can you cover more than 350 years of history in one experience than on The Trail?”
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Region with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
Featuring seven cultural institutions, the Lakes Region branch of the NH Heritage Museum Trail is gearing for a busy 2019 season with a full calendar of events in June.One highlight is Spring On The Farm on Saturday, June 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth. At this event on the museum’s historic grounds, attendees can experience up-close meet and greets with goat-kids, lambs, sheep, piglets and a calf. Other farmyard activities include Farm Olympics, making hand-churned butter, an herbal remedies Boo-Boo Station, crafts, face painting and more.
“We call this our cutest event of the year,” said Dawne Gilpatrick, marketing coordinator at the museum. “With adorable baby animals and our beautiful fresh-air setting, it’s a pretty special way to celebrate spring.”
On Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm will host its annual New Hampshire Appreciation Day.
“We are so thankful for the support shown to the museum by the people of New Hampshire,” added Gilpatrick. “Offering free admission to year-round residents is one way we can show our gratitude. We look forward to a fantastic turnout that day.”
In nearby Wolfeboro, Wright Museum will host Comedy Night with Tom Hayes as headliner. Performing everywhere from comedy clubs to corporations, clinics and classrooms, Hayes is a nationally recognized comedian, magician, impostor, writer, entrepreneur, and motivational and keynote speaker.
“We are thrilled to have Tom here,” said Wright Museum Executive Director Mike Culver. “it should be a lot of fun.”
On Saturday, June 29, the New Hampshire Boat Museum opens for its season, an occasion punctuated by big news.
“We are in the midst of an ambitious Capital Campaign and hope to break ground on a new facility in downtown Wolfeboro in the near future,” said Executive Director Martha Cummings. “Our current facility will have a new roof put on by then and we plan expanded programs throughout the summer. We are excited for a big year.”
Other highlights in June include kids programs and art exhibits at The Libby in Wolfeboro, music nights and open air landscape art at Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, and more.
“There is so much to see, do and experience on The Trail in June,” said Cummings. “You won’t go home disappointed.”
Located in Merrimack Valley on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, New Hampshire Historical Society and Canterbury Shaker Village feature events in April and May expected to attract many visitors.
New Hampshire Historical Society
At the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, visitors can take Guided Gallery Tours led by a staff member or volunteer docent. These tours are available on Friday, April 19 and May 17, and Saturday, April 13 and May 11.
Guided gallery tours are 45 minutes long and are appropriate for visitors of all ages.
One highlight at the Society this year includes Discovering New Hampshire, a long-term exhibition in the main gallery organized around five key themes to illustrate how material items link us with our past.
In Signs of the Times, a new exhibit that runs through October 19, visitors will see an array of advertising, political, informational and directional signs. These signs range from a toll sign for the Cornish Bridge, dated 1796, to a 1920s advertising sign for the “honest” brand of underwear and hosiery manufactured by the Contoocook Mills Corporation in Hillsborough.
To learn more, including times for Guided Gallery Tours, visit nhhistory.org.
Canterbury Shaker Village
At Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, Heifer Parade and Opening Day will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 10:00-4:00pm.
Beginning at 11:00 am, parade activities include maypole dancing, outdoor barn dancing, and make-your-own head wreaths and May cards.In honor of their 50th anniversary as an incorporated museum, a maple sapling will be planted in Meeting House Lane at 1:30pm.
Self-guided exhibits will open, while guided tours will be available for $10 per person at 11:00am and 2:00pm.
On Saturday, May 11, Canterbury Shaker Village will host the 12th Annual XC 5k in which participants may choose to run or walk the course on the its nearly 700 acres of fields, woods, pastures, and millponds.
Prizes and complimentary refreshments will be provided at the completion of the race. This is the fourth race in the Northeast Delta Dental Capital Area Race Series (CARS).
To learn more about either event, visit shakers.org.
About the NH Heritage Museum Trail
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
With 250,000+ visitors annually, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is an important draw for tourists with many members institutions looking ahead to a busy 2019.
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
As for what drives people to The Trail, Alana Albee, director of The Libby Museum in Wolfeboro, cited the variety of programs, events and artifacts offered by each member.
“At The Libby, for example, you can get up close to a full-size moose, a 16-foot alligator, and huge loons and eagles,” she said. “If you’re interested in native American artifacts or love local artist’s work, we have these, too. For kids, we have scavenger hunts to keep them busy and motivated with free prizes, and they can discover trees and plants on our nature trail.”
At nearby Wright Museum, Executive Director Mike Culver said 2019 will be a particularly special year.
“First, it is our 25th anniversary, so that it special, but we are also hosting for the first time a Smithsonian Institute exhibition,” he said. “We are so proud to partner with the Smithsonian because it illustrates that although we are tucked away in the small town of Wolfeboro, what we present and how it is presented is worthy of national attention.”
Referring to Wolfeboro as “a hidden gem,” Martha Cummings, executive director of the NH Boat Museum said she looks forward to a year of expanded programming.
“We don’t just talk about the lakes or boating, we bring people into the water to experience it for themselves,” she said. “We provide numerous hands-on activities for people of all ages.”
In nearby Tamworth Village, visitors can visit Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, the only country doctor museum in New England and one of only four in the United States.
“On this historical site, visitors can learn about the significant contributions once made by country doctors and early medical practices,” said the museum’s Dawne Gilpatrick. “It’s still a working farm today with numerous barns and buildings as well as a variety of gardens open to the public. Visitors are also welcome to interact with resident livestock.”
For Cummings, the Lakes Region branch of The Trail is unique because it combines history and culture with natural beauty.
“You can spend a day on The Trail and shop and eat at some pretty amazing places–you can easily make a weekend out of it,” she said. “We also have some amazing breweries in Wolfeboro starting to make a name for themselves here. There is plenty to do.”
While some museums are year-round, most seasonal institutions on The Trail open in May with some in June.
